The format is structured in such a way that each qualifier is a single-elimination best-of-five series. Teams will battle across Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Control. Only the top performers from each of the four qualifier events will earn a chance at the LAN finale, taking place at Canal Walk on Friday, 12 and Saturday, 13 September. Finalists will cover their own travel and accommodation, says the tournament.

"The Shift Gaming Experience is about putting real competition at the centre of public spaces and connecting people through the power of play," says Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop. “Adding Call of Duty to the lineup takes the intensity up a notch. We're giving gamers a serious platform to show what they can do — live, on stage and in front of a crowd."

According to the tournament, the four qualifiers took place online, where teams signed up for free:

  • Qualifier 1: 26 to 27 July
  • Qualifier 2: 2 to 3 August
  • Qualifier 3: 9 to 10 August, and
  • Qualifier 4: 16 to 17 August.

All qualifier finals were broadcast, giving fans full access to the action and allowing players to gain exposure beyond the scoreboard, says the tournament.

Four teams qualify for the LAN finale, where they'll compete in a double-elimination bracket for a prize pool structured as follows:

  • First Place: R30 000
  • Second Place: R15 000
  • Third Place: R10 000
  • Fourth Place: R5 000

Now in its third year, the Hyprop MTN Shift Gaming Experience has become one of the country's most visible platforms for esports and casual gaming. Hosted at Hyprop-owned malls including Canal Walk, Clearwater and The Glen, the experience blends competitive tournaments with public engagement to bring gaming into the mainstream, adds the tournament.

"MTN SHIFT isn't about gimmicks. It's built for players, whether you're grinding in ranked or showing up to prove a point on LAN," concludes Stanbridge. "We've seen how gaming can energise our spaces and create new communities. SHIFT COD builds on that energy."

For more information, visit www.mtnshift.co.za. You can also follow the MTN Shift Gaming Experience on Facebook.

*Image courtesy of contributor