The Intel® Extreme Masters Oakland 2017: Don't Miss it

Only one week away, the Intel Extreme Masters Oakland 2017 is an event you don't want to miss. Combining the familiar competition of CS:GO and the fresh as ever side of PUBG, it's a pleasant mixture. The best in the world from both scenes will be battling it out on an international stage, the indoor Oracle Arena packing thousands of enthusiasts and of course, the huge amount of home-viewers through broadcasts. 

Let's start by discussing the CS:GO half of things. A $300,000 prize pool hangs in the balance for all twelve teams. First, the dozen will fight through an unforgiving group stage, to utilise a BO1 system which is rarely seen. The two round robins will give way to three teams to advance. A top finish guarantees placement into the semi-finals, while a second or third place puts you into the playoffs to fight for the remaining spots in the semis. 

Group A: SK Gaming, Cloud 9, NiP, Astralis, The MongolZ, EnVyUs

Group B: FaZe Clan, G2 Esports, Gamit Esports, Team Liquid, Immortals, OpTic Gaming

Semifinals will be BO3 and the grand final will be BO5. Winner takes a neat $125,000 of cash prize. Also, as added incentive, a team will receive $1000 for extra than base prizes for each group stage victory. What a great way to add so tension incredibly. 

Diverting our attention to PUBG, there's plenty more to talk about. IEM Oakland 2017 will be the first ever PUBG stadium event having 20 teams of four players each wage war fr the $200,000 of prize money. As of right now, 12 teas have already been donated a spot straight into the competition, while 8 others found their way through the online qualifier; four each from NA and EU regions. 

The event boasts two full days of PUBG action, at the end of which a winner will be crowned. Over the hours of competition, a different system is being used; no group stage-knockout system which we've all grown quite accustomed to. Not quite. All teams will compete in a total of 8 matches and can gain points according to finishing position and kill count. Total score is how a winner will be selected. 

Invited: TSM, Team Liquid, Noble, Luminosity, Alliance, Cloud 9, GCE, NiP, Penta Sports, EG, Tempo Storm, Method Gaming

Qualified: Crimson Esports, Whitekids, *AAA* Gaming, Team Pogchamp, Ghost Gaming, Ronin Esports, Miami Flamingos, Corn Shuckers. 

To learn more about the event as a whole, check out this link: https://en.intelextrememasters.com/. Gamers.com.mt is practically shaken with excitement for the event, but we'll be busy, just like many of you will be, with the MESF 2017.