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Tencent Announces Mobile Esports Arena of Valor World Cup

The hit MOBA game is bringing mobile esports to North America later this year.

Kevin Tucker

February 5, 2018 12:05 PM

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Though it might not be the most familiar title to Western audiences, Arena of Valor — the hit MOBA title known in other territories as Kings of Glory — is one of the most popular games to land on mobile devices over the past few years. It's a huge title for a number of reasons, not the least of which has been its reputation as a dangerously addictive experience that was likened to both drugs and poison by the Chinese government. Still, it's a fun game with a distinct competitive air, and publisher Tencent is capitalizing on its popularity by announcing the first Arena of Valor World Cup to be hosted in Los Angeles later this year.

According to a press release from Tencent, the new Arena of Valor World Cup is meant to "serve as the North American market's premiere international tournament" for the top Arena of Valor players from across the globe. Tencent has been working on plans to coordinate various tournaments in different locations across the country, the likes of which will culminate in one massive competition hosted in Los Angeles with a prize pool in excess of $500,000 USD.

This plan comes on the heels of Tencent's other esports-flavored efforts, like the Arena of Valor International Championship that was held in South Korea last year. The game has proved itself to be a very viable and very competition-minded experience, with Tencent earning endorsements from a number of different and globally recognized professional esports teams, such as the likes of Team Liquid or Vitality.

Just because the game is based around the mobile platform, don't think it should be taken lightly — according to the press release, "Tencent has a vision for mobile esports that embraces competition at the highest level and elevates pro mobile esports to the same level as any other platform." Considering the game's massive popularity and its upcoming debut on the Nintendo Switch, Arena of Valor is certainly a game that MOBA fans and esports enthusiasts alike should keep an eye out for.

Kevin Tucker

Guides Editor

Kevin Tucker is a core component of Shacknews' powerful guide development team. For questions, concerns, tips, or to share constructive criticism, he can be reached on Twitter @dukeofgnar or through e-mail at kevin.tucker@shacknews.com.