The effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to ripple through all facets of society, as efforts are being made to stave off the rapid spread of the virus. Plans are being put in place to deal with this new reality, with airlines announcing the cutting of routes, borders closing up, andmajor sporting leagues postponing their seasons. This is affecting eSports as well, withApex Legendsthe latest to experience a postponement.
The popular battle royale game had recently kicked off its fourth season of content,reworking a number of weaponsand shaking up the character tier list, but has hit a snag in the competitive scene as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
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EA had previously announcedthat theApex LegendsGlobal Series, the first Global Series event for the game, is being postponed. The event was scheduled to start this weekend at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, with a $500,000 prize pool available to players. This latest announcement makes clear that all live events run as part of EA’s competitive gaming scene are postponed until further notice. The postponement not only affectsApex Legends, but also the company’s stalwartFIFAandMaddenfranchises.
In the official announcement, EA says “our priority is protecting our competitors, our employees, our partner’s employees and our communities.” The company will use this time to monitor the situation and determine the best course of action, and will be adhering to recommendations from health officials. This statement echoes the sentiments of other companies, such as the announcement fromActivision Blizzard regarding itsCall of DutyLeague.
While there is never a good time for a pandemic, and all precautionary measures to fight it should be taken, forApex Legendsthe timing is quite unfortunate. Having installed a solid player base over the last year, the game was just starting to ramp up its presence on the eSports scene.
The Global Series is set to offer competitive play and high prize pools for players, but it will have to wait to get off the ground. With this much risk to player and event staff health, andnearly every other franchise postponing or cancelling events, this just isn’t the right time to bring people from across the globe together in a confined space.
EA Sports has not offered a timetable for when theApex LegendsGlobal Series will return, but the company is looking forward to a return “when the time is right.”
Apex Legendsis available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
