VR Esports Takes Center Stage at $35K VAIL Major

Miami Vail Major

I love anomalies and outliers, which is why I wanted to write about the Miami VAIL Major, an esports event centered on a beta build of the first-person shooter, VAIL. The VR-based game—currently only available to a limited number of players around the world (as it is still in beta)—is a future leaning first-person shooter with an online competitive focus available for VR platforms such as META’s Oculus Rift and the HTC VIVE. The full game being developed by Miami-based developer AEXLAB will be released sometime in November. The game’s multiplayer functionality is being aided by UK-based metaverse technology company Improbable.

To celebrate that upcoming launch and to generally promote and market the game, AEXLAB has been hosting online tournaments throughout the year via its International Virtual Reality League (IVRL), with the culmination of this competition happening on Oct. 1, at the Miami VAIL Major, which will be held at the Superblue Miami museum. Tickets are on sale now at $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP access—the event will also be broadcast live on YouTube.

The final four teams, Cobra Cartel, Royal Strive, R.E.K.T., and Vortex, will be flown to Miami—all expenses paid—to compete for a first place prize of $20K (and unique team skin in the game), a second place prize of $10K (and a VR Esport Spray in the game), and a third-place prize of $5K (and a VR Esport Spray in game). Fourth place will get a VR Esport Spray in the game.

In addition to the finals, the event will feature “interactive gallery experiences” hosted by Superblue, activations from top VR brands, a mixed-reality “halftime show” by ThrillSeeker, an open bar for 21+ attendees, and undisclosed “special guest appearances and industry influencers.”

VR-based esports competitions are few and far between (the last one I can remember was way back in 2018), mostly because there are very few viable competitive games to play, and—despite being around for a few years—the platforms and software being developed in the space are nascent, and to-date there are no “killer apps” out there really driving hardware sales. VAIL’s focus on esports and teamplay (5v5) is an interesting approach, but for it to improve adoption of its soon-to-be-released game, it would probably be beneficial if the Miami VAIL Major finds some sort of success in viewership, attendance, and hype.