The much-anticipated HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience, the largest national mall-based gaming tournament in the country, kicked off with an electrifying start at Somerset Mall on Friday 14 June and culminated in an epic battle on Sunday 16 June.
The first leg of this groundbreaking series saw intense competition among gamers from the Western Cape, setting the stage for an epic journey to the national finals.
The spotlight shone brightly on the EAFC tournament, where the following players emerged victorious: Athenkosi Duva (first place), Reatile Thakholi (second place) and Miekaaiel Saban (third place).
Duva showed his gaming prowess and has secured his place in the national finale, which is set to take place at Canal Walk from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 September.
Now in its second year, the HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience has quickly become a cornerstone in South Africa’s gaming scene. With MTN and Hyprop as the driving force behind it this year’s tournament promises to be bigger and better. The series will include eight qualifier events at various Hyprop Malls across the country, leading to the climactic national final at Canal Walk.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Somerset Mall marketing manager Jana Kuipers expressed her enthusiasm: “The turnout for the first leg at Somerset Mall exceeded all our expectations. The energy and excitement from both the participants and spectators were truly remarkable. It’s clear that South Africa’s gaming community is thriving, and we’re thrilled to provide a platform for these talented gamers to shine. We can’t wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds as we head to other regions.”
Somerset Mall highlights
The Somerset Mall event was a hotbed of excitement and camaraderie. While EAFC drew the largest crowd, gamers also showcased their skills in a variety of other competitions like the MTN Beat Saber Challenge, Toyota SuperSprint on GT 7, Fortnite, fighting games, Minecraft and the Redragon Keyboard Rebuild Race.
Spectators and participants enjoyed a host of additional activities, including Rocket League, Brawlhalla, Aim Lab, Mario Cart and a variety of other free-to-play games. Winners of these competitions walked away with gift cards, spot prizes, and a wealth of bragging rights. There were also giveaways for the enthusiastic spectators who contributed to the vibrant atmosphere.
What’s still to come
The road to the national final is paved with more opportunities for aspiring champions to join the ranks. Here’s a look at the dates for the upcoming qualifiers and events across the nation: the Glen Mall online qualifier took place on Sunday 23 June, but the event is taking place from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 June; the Clearwater Mall online qualifier takes place on Sunday 7 July followed by the event the next weekend (12 to 14 July); the Woodlands Boulevard online qualifier will be held on Sunday 14 July with the event from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July; the Table Bay Mall online qualifier is on Sunday 4 August and the event from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August; Capegate’s online qualifier is scheduled for Sunday 18 August with the event from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 August; the Canal Walk online qualifier follows on Sunday 8 September with the event from Friday 11 to Sunday 15 September.
These events promise not only the intense action of the EAFC tournament but also a plethora of additional competitions and activities, making them a must-visit for any gaming enthusiast.
Up for grabs
The grand finale at Canal Walk will be the pinnacle of the HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience. The top gamer from each regional event will compete for the ultimate glory and a share of the substantial R50 000 prize pool: first place R25 000, second place R15 000, third place R7 500 and fourth place R2 500.
