Star Wars: Squadrons Players Have Started Building The Game's Esports Scene
Red Leader standing by, it's time to gather your X-Wing pilots and take to the skies with Star Wars: Squadrons. Whether you fancy flying for the Galactic Empire or the New Republic, you're encouraged to get behind the controls of those iconic Star Wars ships and fly the flag for whichever side you feel deserves your support.
While there's already been a lot debate about the viability of Star Wars: Squadrons soaring onto the esports scene, naysayers have already been squashed by fans who've decided to set up their own squads that are determined to add EA's title to the professional circuit.
Despite the fact Squadrons hasn't even officially blasted off to that galaxy far, far away yet, there's already a loyal fanbase playing the Imperial March and planning a series of official tournaments. As spotted by Dot Esports, there are two Star Wars: Squadrons comps coming. Strap in and hold onto your butts for Operation Ace and the Calrissian Cup.
Kicking things off in style, Operation Ace will take place on October 10. Talent including Star Wars Explained's Alex Damon, Azzatru, Bombastic, and EckhartsLadder are all taking part. Operation Ace will make the most of Squadrons' Fleet Battles mode. There are five pilots in each team, with the main goal of defeating an enemy's flagship through dogfights and bomb runs. All of this goes on while you also have to protect your own flagship. There are four ships on offer, taking off with X-Wing and U-Wings for the Republic and the TIE Interceptor or TIE Bomber for the Imperial side.
This will be followed by the Calrissian Cup (named after the legendary Lando Calrissian), which will bring together a variety of Discord servers to “showcase the most elite squads in a high stakes competition". The Calrissian Cup is different to Operation Ace as it opens its arms to both established squadrons and players looking to form their own squad.
This has already drawn the attention of some popular Discord groups, with Star Wars: Squadrons and Legions servers already signing up. There are over 30 squads tipped to take part, while the Star Wars: Squadrons 5Mans will follow in the footsteps of Rocket League’s 6Mans. Better yet, OG Lando, Billy Dee Williams, is also making a guest appearance to commentate.
The Calrissian Cup will kick off on December 10 and run for a week in five teams. After hoping to score a victory in Swiss rounds that lead to a best-of-three top-four playoff, there will a best-of-five finals. A point-based system will decide who progresses, and with Fleet Mode being Star Wars: Squadrons' official ranked system, it should be relatively easy to pick up once the game goes live.
EA has previously tried to enter the wide world of esports with Star Wars: Battlefront, and that didn't exactly go well. Either way, Squadrons is off to a flying start and warming up the thrusters for what could be a growing esports contender. However, as games like Fall Guys seem to peter out of the pro scene in favour of Among Us, does Star Wars: Squadrons have the legs to go all the way? Cue Yoda saying, "Hmmm, wait and see we shall".
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Images via Electronic Arts
