2 6 SXS W O R L D | M A R C H 1 4 , 2 0 1 9 | SXSW.COM
Most casual gamers have watched
a multiplayer match of one game
or another unfold — whether
streaming on Twitch or from a
friend's sofa — but the look of a pro-
fessional match is something else.
In a professional Halo match,
the level of play approaches the
uncannily timed perfection of an AI
that has been set to play a video
game: players are moving con-
stantly, hugging the bullet-blocking
corners of the maps like race
car drivers in a turn. Meanwhile,
they're anticipating their oppo-
nents' moves and popping off
perfect shots in the seconds-long
intervals when opposing red or
blue players are visible.
This spectacle will be on display
during SXSW Gaming at the Halo
Championship Series Invitational.
The tournament features the
top six finishers from January's
Ultimate Gaming Championship
Halo Classic, who will compete in a
double elimination tournament of
Halo 3.
"For the HCS Invitational, it was
important to us that we brought
Halo to the masses where tens
of thousands of fans have the
chance to play Halo and watch the
game played at its highest level,"
says Tahir "Tashi" Hasandjekic,
lead esports producer at 343
Industries/Microsoft. "We're letting
our hair down a bit for the HCS
Invitational with multiple tourna-
ments and fun show matches, and
we're just thrilled to watch high-
stakes Halo and enjoy the festivities
with the community."
Halo Competition is a Homecoming
for Hardcore Gamers
By Robert Preliasco
Competitors at the July 2018 HCS Competition in New Orleans. Photo by Robb McCormick
continued on p.28
