Mentioned in this article Games: Super Smash Bros.

When U.S. based telecommunications giant Verizon joined other big brands like Coca-Cola or Red Bull in marketing to the esports audience back in July, Forbes magazine author John Gaudioso said: “If Verizon can nail that, it can build its own eSports niche.” Sad to say, that they backed the wrong horse. It has whipped in public, that their former partner Epic! Gaming Lounge disappeared from the scene along with the promised $40,000 prize money for its EGL Dallas 10K tournament, which was held in August. More than 1.000 competitors battled over Call of Duty Advanced Warfare, Super Smash Bros., Mortal Kombat X and Ultra Street Fighter 4.

All of Epic! Gaming Lounge’s internet presence—their website, Twitter and Facebook—have been deleted. But a tweet, just two days ago, still is visible which says:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”All players that are waiting on money will be receiving an email this evening in regards to payouts from EGLDallas10k.”[/perfectpullquote]

In this email, the company reportedly declares that a sponsor has pulled out after the event and that they are not able to pay. Confronted by raging fans and pros alike, former partner Verizon collected bullets too, forcing a statement:

It seems very unlikely that participating players will ever see the money they were promised. Again, just another esports scandal that proves, we need to learn how to vet those organizations before we praise them as the next big thing.

Update #1



Epic! Gaming League reportedly owes only a share of $18,000, not the total of $40,000 prize money, to players.

Update #2

Affected pro-players reported that Epic! Gaming Lounge paid out those who placed fourth to eighth as promised, but cut the prize money of the top 3 of every game. Some of them at least received 25 percent of the winnings.