Australia’s best E-gamers in battle for supremacy in Melbourne

Rod Laver Arena is usually reserved for the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal but this weekend a new group of competitors are in a battle for supremacy.

Esports fans have flocked to Melbourne for the Melbourne Esports Open. Picture: Aaron Favila

Normally elite athletes are the ones that take centre stage at Melbourne Arena and Rod Laver Arena, but this weekend video game fans will run the show.

Players of all ages took their passion to the next level at the Melbourne Esports Open.

Fans got a sneak peek of yet-to-be-released games such as Borderlands 3 and Gears of War.

Over the weekend, Australia’s best players will fight it out in the League of Legends Oceania Pro League.

Melbourne’s Max Unterwurzacher, who will compete in the Overwatch Contenders Grand Final on Sunday, said he was excited by the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd and the chance to win $20,000 U.S. in prize money.

“It’s a lot of fun to play on a stage in front of a lot of people,” Mr Unterwurzacher said.

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“The crowd’s invested and given that I’m from Melbourne it’s an added bonus for me that all my family and friends will be in the crowd,” he said.

There was also plenty for amateur players like Louis, 10, Lenny, 9, and Declan, 9 — who call themselves the “flaming hot dogs”.

Their favourite esports included Fortnite and Minecraft but they came to find out about new games as well.

“Some of them are really creative and colourful,” Louis said.