New details regarding the upcoming season have been shared by Activision on the Call of Duty competitive Reddit. Here are the key pieces of information you need to know about the announcement:
What’s in-store for pro teams?
The new season will begin in 2020 and will still be played in a 5v5 format. However, professional rosters must have at least seven players with a maximum of ten. Teams will also be allowed to make mid-series substitutions, which will be interesting to see from a tactical standpoint.
Players may sign a contract with a league team from September 3rd onward. Despite this, New York’s CoD league team have already made two additions to their staff – John “Revan” Boble (Coach) and “JPKrez” (Analyst).
One of the major talking points of the announcement is the players’ salaries. Activision states that “All pro players in the league will receive a minimum base salary of $50,000 USD per year, health care benefits, and retirement benefits. Teams are required to distribute at least 50% of their prize pool earnings to players directly.”
Competitive Call of Duty has become renowned for its organisations failing to pay their players. With the new system of guaranteed contracts under franchising, it seems that the treatment of players has become a priority.
Despite recent talk of CoD esports moving from console to PC, Activision have confirmed that the 2020 season will be played on console. This is not to say that the change to PC will not be made in the future, as it has become a topic of heated discussion within the community.
Pro player, “Skrapz”, seems pleased with the new announcements:
What to expect for the amateur scene
The amateur community has always played a big part in competitive CoD. Countless players on professional teams have earned their spot through gaining recognition in amateur tournaments. Activision state “Going forward, we will support and administer extensive amateur competitions, both online and via open bracket tournaments in cities around the world, with dedicated prize pools.”
More information about the amateur events and path to pro system will be revealed in the lead up to the new year.
Visit the Call of Duty Esports Reddit for the full statement on the new 2020 season.
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