Looking back at LevelFox’s Showdown event.
This past weekend saw the climax of the LevelFox Showdown for FIFA 22 and Rocket League. After months of online qualifiers, the top participants got together for the biggest LAN we’ve seen in at least three years, hosted LIVE at the Atlantic Studios in Cape Town.
The day started off with FIFA 22, as the top four players competed for their next spot and ultimately their share of R15,000. With ThendoPlays and Snare at the Casting desk, the audience was enthralled. Mobizilla and Kaylan were the first names on the board, and it was Kaylan who nonchalantly took the first win of the day. After beating Ubaid ‘Pirates Ubaid’, it was Zuhayr ‘Fifatekkz_Zuhayr’ who came to play Kaylan in the final and had the audience on the edges of their seats. But it was Kaylan and his Red Bull sipping tactics who walked away with the 1st spot, winning himself a cool R7500.
Hosting by Grant Hinds never involves a dull moment, and his amazing co-host Kelly Kikx kept those of us watching from home, glued to our screens. After all that excitement, there was only more to come.
Rocket League filled the second half of the day, with three teams heading into double elimination play-offs. Out Of Retirement, consisting of players literally ‘out of retirement’ and also including the youngest player ever on LAN experience in South Africa, Orlando Pirates Exdee and Bravado Gaming all proved why they were standing at the finals. This time we see Ulturism and Papa Capes Casting with a phenomenal understanding of and insight into the game.
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Bravado Gaming were first out the blocks with what they made look like an effortless win against Out Of Retirement, securing them a game against Pirates Exdee. By only the second game, we see Pirates Exdee taking a win from Bravado. This meant starting again, and Bravado showed they would not be put down by achieving their second victory over Out Of Retirement. While Pirates Exdee may be considered one of if not the best team in South Africa, the Bravado Gaming team could not be held back, even with Pirates in the lead. The last game of the day saw Bravado Gaming defy expectations and beat Pirates Exdee to take the win and their R13,000 cheque!
The cash prizes were in part put forward by the City of Cape Town. You might wonder why and, Grant had that same question, which he posed to Alderman JP Smith. Hearing the alderman speak with such enthusiasm about the Esport scene in South Africa and how important it is for the City economically and culturally, was certainly encouraging. After giving his age away by mentioning his ‘Quake days’, he also expressed his interest in growing the local scene internationally, with bids to host an international event here in South Africa.
The Showdown was powered by ACGL, presented by CoCT, and sponsored by CellC. Other partners and sponsors include Redragon, POCO, Syntech, ASTRO Gaming, Gametester, and Red Bull.
If you missed the action, you can watch the 9+ hour video over on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/8tQBdi6b9pM
Perhaps with a bit more focus on marketing and hype over all the socials, we won’t have to miss
the next one!
- Twitter @yve_za
