The prize pool for the Apex Legends World Championship is to be boosted by several million dollars. With a new system, developer Electronic Arts is also earning a big share.
Electronic Arts has made a last-minute change to the prize money system for this weekend’s Apex Legends Global Series Championship (ALGS). The fixed money pool of one million US dollars is now supplemented by income from skin sales.
Fans contribute to tournament prize money
The developer announced a new business model for the World Championship in Apex Legends on Tuesday. Thus, players can now buy certain bundles from which a part of the profit goes into the prize pool of the ALGS Championship. The system runs from now until 1 June.
For each purchase, 5 US dollars will be added to the million US dollars already set aside for the prize pool. If the special Animal Kingdom Bundle is purchased, it is even 20 USD. However, EA sets a limit to the whole thing: The prize pool can be boosted to a maximum of three million US dollars.
The ALGS Championship prize pool is growing! We're increasing the base USD $1M prize pool up to $3M based on purchases of bundles for the Apex Legends Global Series, available starting today!
🏆 : https://t.co/9ssoc6X5fM pic.twitter.com/WL1BNww3r1
— Apex Legends (@PlayApex) May 18, 2021
A total of five different bundles are available. The Mechaeleon, Bored to Death, Wild Speed, Silverback and the Animal Kingdom Bundle. Each set includes a skin, badge frame and weapon talisman. Those who purchase the Animal Kingdom special will receive all items from the four aforementioned bundles.
Crowdfunding for tournament prize pools is not a novelty in esports. The prime example is Valve with the title Dota 2. Every year, fans there surpass the prize pool by millions, the current record is 40 million US dollars. Since Valve also only allows part of the revenue to flow into the tournaments and keeps the rest of the money for itself, this system is also extremely lucrative for the developers.
