The year just keeps getting bigger for Heroes of the Storm eSports, as the wildly successful collegiate event that previously aired on ESPN returns again, this time with a Facebook partnership.
Collegiate Heroes
If you were even remotely aware of Heroes eSports last year than you heard about Heroes of the Dorm. If not only for the legendary Azmodunk skin it provided us (the third tint paying homage to Arizona State University), Heroes of the Dorm was commercially a huge success.
The venue was incredible, the stakes were high, but more importantly it put Heroes of the Storm and organized eSports into the collective consciousness of the collegiate world and the gaming industry at large. The rise of eSports is no trade secret, but seeing such a professionally organized tournament live on ESPN was a watershed moment for many viewers that had no idea eSports even existed. It drew a line in the sand for many sports fans and personalities: is this cool or nah?
ASU's Real Dream Team from 2016 featuring from left to right, Vannity, Akaface, MichaelUdall, Shot, Pham, and Snickers
The Return
Apparently, it was pretty cool.
For the third year in a row, over $500,000 dollars in scholarships and other prizes are at stake. Signups opened up today and any collegiate hopefuls can signup at www.heroesofthedorm.com. Group stages start February 15th and The National Championship takes place on April 8th.
Unique to this year is Blizzard's partnership with Facebook as the primary means to view the tournament. Yep, Heroes of the Dorm will be broadcast via Facebook live on their official facebook page. This broadcast will start with the regular season all the way to the Heroic Four and Grand Finals.
There are more goodies and special interactions for Heroes of the Storm fans watching on Facebook than just a live stream. Apparently, Heroes of the Dorm 2017 will offer "global real-time connected experiences for viewers that support live interaction" throughout the tournament.
Blizzard announced that "Facebook's global network" will "enhance every shareable, likeable, and otherwise epic moment" to happen during Heroes of the Dorm. While this all sounds like corporate speak, Blizzard also revealed that "up-to-date statistic, team and player profiles" will fill the live stream. When not watching, fans can compete in a Bracket prediction contest and a new "Pick 'em Challenge" for what is sure to be a whole lot of awesome prizes.
Excited?
Make no mistake, Heroes of the Dorm will be a huge event. With Tespa's involvement and the rich untapped market of collegiate eSports ripe for Blizzard domination, it's safe to expect that this year's Heroes of the Dorm is part of a two-pronged attack alongside the HGC to make Heroes of the Storm a premiere eSport.
However, fans of the HGC Pro league may be a bit spoiled. Collegiate dorms rarely bring the same level of brutal execution that professional teams bring and both the 2015 and 2016 winning teams were lead by a professional Heroes of the Storm players that just so happened to be in college.
Thus, the most exciting thing about Heroes of the Dorm to an eSports fan is the prospect of new teams and new players joining the scene and possibly staying. The HGC Open Series is already giving the next generation of Heroes teams opportunities to break into the scene and Heroes of the Dorm offers an even bigger venue and a chance for national exposure.
Admittedly, If your alma mater or home state has a real shot of winning and gets far in the tournament it's hard not get wrapped up in the pride and energy that "rooting for the home team" provides.
It's this feeling that propels the multi-billion dollar college sports industry and, for the third year in a row, Heroes of the Dorm is looking to capitalize on it, further blurring the line between sports and video games.
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