The High School Esports League (HSEL) has launched Generation Esports, an organisation and competitive platform that will expand to serve communities of all ages.
Generation Esports’ first event is the Social Distancing Cup, an online charity tournament held in partnership with the Varsity Esports Foundation (VEF), that will feature $30,000 (GBP24,393) in prizes.
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The company’s expanded offering will also include leagues and competitions targeted towards middle school and college students, active-duty military members and marines, corporations, and organisations for both kids and adults. A Middle School Esports League (MSEL) will launch this autumn alongside the returning HSEL for North American students, although a release suggests a growing global focus for the organisation.
Mason Mullenioux, Co-founder and CEO of Generation Esports and HSEL, commented in a release: “Today marks a new chapter for High School Esports League and an exciting beginning for Generation Esports. As the esports industry continues to evolve, one thing remains as important as ever: the people. Generation Esports is a league for all types of communities, unified by the love of video games and healthy competition. With HSEL, we’ve seen the type of positive impact esports can bring to high school students across the United States, and we hope that Generation Esports can do the same for all gamers globally.”
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The Social Distancing Cup will feature competition across League of Legends, Rocket League, and Teamfight Tactics, with the prizes including gaming hardware and merchandise from brands including ASUS Republic of Gamers, Viewsonic, TUF Gaming, restaurant chain Zaxby’s, and Dr. Squatch Soap.
Generation Esports and the VEF are also accepting donations towards the Social Distancing Cup COVID-19 Response Fund, and will sell event merchandise with a portion also going towards the fund. The fund will benefit low-income families affected by the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
Esports Insider says: The launch of Generation Esports suggests that HSEL has grown more ambitious than its original aims. Given the impact of COVID-19 right now, it makes a lot of sense to try to make a splash online with the Social Distancing Cup and try to build some brand affinity for when leagues and events roll out in the future.