Is Clash Royale the first real mobile eSport?

Clash Royale latest update brings the game closer to a great eSport, with per-Arena replays, live spectator mode, new clans options, meta balance… Wait a second, are we talking about Clash Royale, the funny, colorful Supercell mobile game as core, competitive game? Definitely.

While the doubters had their fair share of arguments to put the game in the “coffee pause” category, Clash Royale has gained more momentum and more credibility than any other games as the days go by. Millions of players, thousands of “best of” videos, filled tournaments… Are we witnessing the birth of the first and massive mobile eSport? We insist on both “first and massive”, as others have tried before…

image

The PC eSport on mobile fantasy

Let’s talk about Vainglory. Hyped as the mobile eSport champion since its announcement two years ago, the Super Evil Megacorp MOBA aims to bring a pure PC genre to mobiles. The game has been a success so far, with an engaged community and emerging pro scene, but remains minor compared to the major PC and consoles eSports out there.

image

Most people playing Vainglory praise its top notch execution and the way it deals with the trade-offs from a mouse/keyboard input to a tactile screen. But they also point out that Vainglory remains a chopped-down experience compared to a traditional MOBA. If it’s an excellent mobile game, it still suffers from the comparison with its older brothers.

Chopped-down PC, or Buffed-up Mobile?

On the other hand, Clash Royale is based on a pure mobile experience, with less mechanical skills and more decision making, shorter games and no teams. And it then proceeded to build upon these foundations, with advanced strategies, placement skills and competitive features. And it works.

The game has been a massive hit and #1 grossing app worldwide pretty much since its launch. One could say that it rides on the Clash Of Clans wave, but other Supercell (CoC and Clash Royale publisher) games haven’t met such a success.

image

The community also answered with an impressive activity on traditional eSport venues like Reddit, Youtube or Kamcord (a mobile-focused Twitch).

By aiming for competitive gaming while retaining all the mobile game design DNA, Clash Royale may have nailed it: an massive mobile eSport that doesn’t necessarly have to replicate the existing ones on PC.

In the end, it’s a great win for mobile eSports, as we’re now enjoying two great games. So, which one do you prefer: Vainglory or Clash Royale?

eSports Pros survey

Since our launch, Toornament grew up from a B2B platform to a media of its own. Our community grew even more, leading to a wide array of profiles.

In order to know you better and focus our efforts on the parts and features that matter to you, we’re launching two surveys: one for the eSports fans and one for the eSports professionals.

Following last week eSports Fans survey, we’re releasing our eSports Pro survey. Your answers will help us a lot and we’ll reward you with a little lottery: one of the survey participants will win a swag bag full of Toornament goodies!

Happy answers and again, thanks you for making Toornament the best eSports platform!

image

[Participants] Meet your dedicated dashboard

We’re excited to release the first version of the “Participant Dashboard”, Toornament’s latest section. Your Toornament account already grants you the possibility to create and manage tournaments, as well as accessing our API. You can now also list your tournaments participations.

If
you’re taking part in a tournament as participant, you will be able to get to your matches right from the Participant
Dashboard.

This
is the first step of this new section. In the next few weeks, each match will
have a dedicated page where you will be able to find your opponent and all match information. We are also working on the much awaited functionality, the participant
score reporting. This feature will allow each match opponent to report directly
the score, make it easier for organizers to run tournaments.

Try the Participant Dashboard now!

Featured tournaments – April 2016

April will treat eSports lovers right, with great competitions all throughout the month. As always, our team will cover them and bring you all the scores, results and videos!

Dreamhack Masters Malmö


The first top tier tournament following the MLG Major will bring answer to the CS:GO fans: who can Luminosity? Can Na’Vi perform without Guardian? Can Liquid confirm its great Columbus run? Does EnVyUs need another roster shuffle? We’ll know soon enough.

ESL One Manila


Manila has become an eSport capitol this year, as the city will host two major Dota 2 events in row. Before the PGL-operated Manila Major, ESL will bring its “One” event and 8 top teams: EHOME, Team Liquid, Team Secret, Complexity Gaming, Wings Gaming, Team Empire, Mineski and Fnatic.

All eyes will be on Team Secret’s impressive new line-up and local heroes of Fnatic.

CEVO Gfinity Pro-League Season 9 Finals


A sweet $55,000 money prize is up to grab for one of the 8 qualified teams. Virtus.pro (Season 8 champions) and Optic Gaming (North America qualifier winners) are already waiting for their opponents…

LCS 2016 Spring Split Playoffs



The American and Europen LoL leagues are drawing to an exciting close: last year top performers (Fnatic, Origen, TSM…) have finally found their own rythm and perform admirably, while the new kids on the block (Immortals, H2K, Vitality) impressed everyone by taking the top rankings by storm.

 

Dream League S5


One of the best Dota 2 league out there is a great display if the European and CIS scenes, mixing established powerhouses like Empire and new line ups like No Diggity and Ad Finem. All are aiming for the $150,000+ LAN Finals in May.

ESL Pro League


The (for now) largest online CS:GO league brings us great matches each week. The ultimate ones will raise the hype bar, as everyone want to qualify for finals, where a whopping $750,000 prize money awaits.

 

They join the ongoing competitions we cover, such as:

Enjoy our coverage on the web and your mobile device!