Landmark eSports event to feature the top SMITE teams from North America, Europe, Latin America and China at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

ATLANTA, JUNE 24, 2014.  Hi­-Rez Studios, a leader in global eSports and makers of SMITE, the popular mythology-themed third-person action game for the PC, today announced that the SMITE World Championship (SWC) will be held January 9-11, 2015, at Atlanta’s 2,750-seat Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

The starting prize pool for the  three-day SMITE World Championship is $600,000. That prize amount should increase significantly prior to the event, based on community contributions and exclusive content sales which will be announced by Hi-Rez in the near future, the developer said.

“As SMITE continues to grow, it is quickly becoming a leader in professional competitive gaming,” said Todd Harris, Chief Operating Officer of Hi-Rez Studios. “With teams from North America, Asia, Europe and South America, this will be a truly global championship. We can’t wait to host the world’s best here in our hometown of Atlanta for this landmark event.”

The SMITE World Championship will feature the top two teams each from North America, Europe and China, joined by the top team from Brazil, and the top team from Spanish-speaking South America.

“Competitive gaming and eSports are growing exponentially in Georgia,” said Asante Bradford, Georgia Department of Economic Development project manager.  “We are very excited to partner with Hi-Rez Studios for this event to help showcase the growing gaming community in the state.”