The startup PlayVS is setting up a high school and college learning system in collaboration with the publisher of Fortnite Epic Games.
Fortnite is currently one of the most popular games in the world. The game has an average of over 100,000 viewers on Twitch every day. Now the game is to be officially integrated into the American school system just like basketball or football.
What dimensions the Esport-title Fortnite has taken on can be seen if you look at the Fortnite World Finals, which took place in New York.
On 26.07.2019 the Fortnite World Cup Finals took place with a prize pool of 30.000.000 $.
“It's just absolutely unreal,” 16-year-old @Bugha said after winning the #FortniteWorldCup solos competition and a check for $3 million on Sunday.https://t.co/vBh2Pux3EC pic.twitter.com/xQ6DHgh3Xh
— ESPN Esports (@ESPN_Esports) July 28, 2019
The PlayVS company wants to integrate Esport leagues into high schools and colleges, as you know it from sports such as basketball and football. It is now launching one of the most popular games in the world, Fortnite.
NFHS includes Esport in its programme
In order to realise this project, PlayVS has entered into a partnership with the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS). The organisation sets the competition rules for most high school sports and activities.
As with the other sports, players will be entered into a league against local schools for a registration fee of $64.
Epic Games on board
To optimise the league, PlayVS has formed a close partnership with Fortnite publisher Epic Games. This optimizes the organization. Players play their games and at the end all statistics and scores are transferred directly to the PlayVS site and made visible to everyone involved.
Another advantage is that the partnership with Epic Games will eliminate the registration fee for all players in the first season.
13,000 high schools on the waiting list
Since PlayVS was founded, 13,000 high schools have been put on the waiting list. By comparison, according to PlayVS, the number of football departments is just over 14,000.
The registration phase is already underway and ends on 17 February for all high schools and 24 February for all colleges. The start of the season is dated 2 March.
No partnership with NCAA
Cooperation with colleges seems to be more difficult. Since there is no partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), they have to present their project to each college individually.
The interest in a league, however, is very high, as the colleges seem to be interested on their own initiative.
The leagues are to officially start on 2 March.
Uni-Esport-League also in Germany
In Germany, a nationwide Esport-League for students has already been in existence since 2018. It is organized by the Startup University eSport Germany (short: UEG).
The league is not Fortnite, but League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, Hearthstone and Rocket League.
The final takes place on 25.01.2020 at the Dreamhack in Leipzig.
Do you find the idea of an inter-school league interesting? Would you like to represent your school or university? Write us about social media!
