RumbleMonkey will allow gamers to compete for real money

08 March 2017

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RumbleMonkey is a new platform which allows gamers worldwide to legally play head-to-head matches for real money. It will kick off with Hearthstone and begins its closed beta on March 27th.

The service will ‘support multiple competitive games in the future’, though there is no definitive word of which quite yet. Hearthstone fans eager to compete and that believe in their own ability can sign up for the waiting list for RumbleMonkey’s free closed beta.

Jacob Rapoport, CEO, RumbleMonkey commented: “We’re excited to make real-money esports accessible to everyone. The beauty of our platform is that anyone can put their skills to the test and compete for money, without having to invest the time needed to go pro. Playing for money adds an extra level of intensity to competitive play. We also think streamers will find our platform particularly exciting.”

Rapoport is an ex-Microsoft engineer who has put together a team in Seattle comprised of developers from companies like DotaBuff and Nintendo. Hearthstone is the dominant digital CCG, as evidenced by Newzoo, and it remains a tier one esports title.

On RumbleMonkey when opponents play for money, each pays an entry fee to compete for the prize. As such the funds are secured before a match begins, so victors are guaranteed to receive their winnings. The platform awards prizes to winners ‘based on a consensus of native game data, rather than a manual agreement between players’.

The service is said to be sophisticated enough to detect whether disconnections between opponents stem from rage quits or server issues, and as such users should be protected from potential exploitative behavior and awarding cash if an opponent intentionally drops out early.

 At beta launch the platform will support both PC and Mac Hearthstone players residing in the majority of U.S. states. Future games supported by RumbleMonkey will operate internationally and in all U.S. states except Illinois and Arizona.
 
The closed beta is expected to continue through the platform’s official launch, and access will be granted to everyone who signs up for the waiting list in the coming weeks.
 
Esports Insider says: Hearthstone continues to draw poker players looking for a new challenge, and platforms such as this are built for this sort of competitive player. The Blizzard title is a logical first choice for RumbleMonkey, but it’ll be far more comprehensive and attractive once there are a range of titles to choose from.