Ahead of the 2024 OWCS Dallas Major, Overwatch Champions Series’ first international event, game developer Blizzard has released a crowdfunding bundle with proceeds going to the Major’s prize pool.
Blizzard noted that 25% of the revenues from the Azure Flame Hanzo OWCS Crowdfunding Bundle will go into the major’s prize pool. It is unknown at this time if ESL FACEIT Group, OWCS’ organiser, or Blizzard will contribute to the prize pool or whether the event is fully crowdfunded.
The bundle, on sale now until June 3rd, features a range of in-game cosmetic items including a Hanze skin, name card, player icon, spray and weapon charm.
This isn’t the first time that Overwatch has utilised crowdfunding methods for its esports prize pools. The 2023 Overwatch World Cup generated a total prize pool of $513,162 through the sale of event-specific cosmetics and bundles. Other esports titles such as Dota 2 for The International and VALORANT’s VCT series have done similar revenue activations with in-game items.
The 2024 OWCS Dallas Major is set to commence on May 31st, with eight teams across Overwatch’s newly revamped open ecosystem vying for the season’s first major trophy, as well as qualification for the Esports World Cup. The event will take place during DreamHack Dallas, an esports and gaming festival run by ESL FACEIT Group subsidiary DreamHack.
On top of the crowdfunding bundle, OWCS has also revealed a range of incentives for fans watching the event online or in person.
For online fans, this includes viewership rewards based on the amount of time a user watches the event. Rewards include a range of in-game cosmetics, including items from Overwatch’s recent collaboration with car brand Porche. Fans who purchase an OWCS-specific ticket for the event will also receive additional in-game cosmetics.
Some of the teams participating in OWCS’ first Major include M80, Team Falcons, Toronto Defiant and Spacestation, among others.
