We started off 2014 strong with ZOWIE-sponsored cups for North America and Europe (which brought in record online viewership) and nail-bitingly close ESEA LAN.
However, some things have been missing from all of this great TF2 action.; there's been a shortage of Pyro-deflected pushes, Dead Ringers being activated, and Mini-sentries being planted everywhere, bringing joy and misery alike to all those who prefer healing a Heavy to a Soldier (blasphemy indeed!). The 9v9 format has yet to make its mark this year, but fear not cart-pushing lovers, you can get out of your beds and start chugging upwards, for now it is Highlander's turn to show off its skill to the TF2 community!
Invited Teams
As some of you may know, United Gaming League, aka UGC (I know, I know... it doesn't abbreviate) has been raising a rather low-key fundraiser so that their league can provide a prizepool for next season. To help this effort, teamfortress.tv is happy to present to you the first ever Highlander Invitational Fundraiser, starting this Sunday, February 9th at 5 PM EST. This event will be showcasing the top 8 UGC North America Platinum teams invited to participate in a one-day event designed to bring you great TF2 and hopefully part you from a few dusty pennies lying at the bottom of your wallets (just, you know, to help those paupers from UGC raise money for their prize pool). We hope that this competition will be a showcase for the great matches to come in UGC this season as well as possible future events.
The teams confirmed are a mixture of old and new alongside a few unknowns looking to show the world what they can do. Unfortunately for everyone involved, defending champions Street Hoops eSports folded and runners-up Menace To Society are yet to confirm their availability.
Update: Menace to Society confirmed their availability to play this weekend!
However I am delighted to report Season 11’s third placed side Electric Temptations, formerly known as Apocalypse Gaming Highlander alongside the joint 5th and 6th placed sides Dead Ringer Storage and SYOPS TF2 formerly known as Baby Punching Marathon.
Joining these established teams will be 2 newly-formed rosters for Season 12, MURDERFORCE9000 and Gentlemen’s Club, alongside the newly promoted Dunning-Kruger Effect (Gold division champions) and Stag Party.
Coverage
Keeping you covered on the microphone for the evening will be a casting team of TF2's finest, yet to be confirmed. Stick around for a preview article before the event, where I will introduce the rosters for each and consult a panel of "experts" to give their judgements ahead of the big day. It will certainly be an interesting read ahead of a potentially exciting tournament, the first of it's kind of North American Highlander.
Where can I watch this orgy of Highlander prowess you ask again? It's okay young one, I will tell you again - Head over to teamfortress.tv, at 5pm Eastern United States time, or 11pm CEST and join the fun.