Fortnite to star at Melbourne Esports Open

VICTORIA has scored a gaming coup by securing global phenomenon Fortnite to be played on a dedicated stage at the inaugural Melbourne Esports Open and broadcast live online.

GLOBAL gaming phenomenon Fortnite will headline the inaugural Melbourne Esports Open next month.

The Herald Sun can reveal the smash hit game will today be announced as part of the biggest gaming event staged in Australia, at Melbourne Park on September 1 and 2.

A dedicated Fortnite stage will be set up in Margaret Court Arena for the weekend with on-screen action to be broadcast online in front of a live audience.

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Fortnite fans will have the chance to play alongside popular content creators on stage, with competitive matches running continuously over eight hours on each show day.

A “Fortnite Free-Play Field” will also operate at the Open, offering a game zone where attendees get the chance to compete across the weekend.

The action from the Fortnite stage will be streamed live online. Picture: Supplied

And an all-ages dance competition will be held in Margaret Court each day with fans invited onstage to perform their favourite Fortnite dance for a share of prizes.

Tim McGregor, managing director or promoter TEG Live, said the addition of Fortnite would take the first Melbourne Esports Open to a new level.

“We are very excited to announce that we will be showcasing Fortnite across both days of the

Melbourne Esports Open on a dedicated stage in Margaret Court Arena” he said.

“For us, this was the final piece of the puzzle in making MEO 2018 a truly epic event for Australian gaming fans of all ages”

Fortnite follows Overwatch and League of Legends as major drawcard games to be played at an event the State Government hopes will make Victoria the esports capital of Australia.

Gaming classics Minecraft, Street Fighter V, Super Smash Brothers 4 and Tekken 7 will also be played.

Crowds of up to 20,000 are expected to flock to the event as well as tens of thousands more tuning in from around Australia and the world.

Giant videoscreens, concert lighting and high-level audio production will be used to build a unique atmosphere with Rod Laver Arena hosting the Overwatch Contenders Australia Finals on September 1.

The League of Legends Oceanic Pro League Finals will be played on September 2. and a Gaming Expo will include personal appearances by esports pros, free play stations and exhibitor booths.

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