After watching 3 weeks of streams, highlight reels and videos regarding the online 2Ks, perhaps you’ve been wondering when all the action is going to hit the mainstage. You couldn’t ask at a better time with CWL Dallas round the corner this coming weekend, dominating the weekend with intense Call of Duty between December 8 and 10. All sixteen pool play teams have clambered into this event after racking up propoints, keen to pry the majority of the $200,000 prize pool out of the fingers of their opponents.

Everything will go down at the Hutchison Convention Centre, Dallas, and we’re not just referring to the group stage. Regarding groups, they were drawn earlier this week with many eyes set upon Group D as the event’s death group. The European top-dogs of Splyce will be facing off against NA talent of eUnited, Ghost Gaming and Evil Geniuses, extremely well-known names which could show up the continental champions. Evil Geniuses is definitely the point of curiosity for most, as the veterans patched up together have a potentially incredible combination. Of course, it’s not like the other pools are a breeze. Speaking of groups, there is still one spot free in each, these of course reserved for the Open Bracket Teams which will be determined shortly before the whole thing kicks off.

A whooping total of 160+ teams will be attempting to crawl their way into the event through the open bracket, after not compiling enough propoints to qualify automatically. Huge names such as Echo Fox, Next Threat, FaZe Clan and SoaR Gaming are heavy favourites; not making it would be absolutely demoralizing with a year of competition ahead. Getting into the event alone means more propoints; but why are these so called propoints so important? They’re practically everything for lesser teams, the ticket to the Global Pro League and allow assured entrance into majors. Other notable rosters in the mix include the curious MoneyMatches, being a team made up solely of Halo professionals. Indeed, the Halo to CoD shift is quite common in the scene, as many top players such as “Formal” from Optic Gaming and “Enable” of EG have their origins in Halo like some casters.

Regarding gamemodes, Hardpoint and Snd remain while Capture the Flag pushes Gridiron aside after its month of probation. The modes alongside a healthy mix of maps will help add to the viewership experience. Speaking of which, the legendary caster in “Revan” who abruptly stopped commentating in the middle of Black Ops 3 is returning this year starting with this event. Be sure to view all the content on the streams which will follow the coming schedule this Friday:

3pm ET

eUnited vs. Evil Geniuses

Luminosity vs. Epsilon

Vitality vs. Ground Zero

Splyce vs. Ghost Gaming

4:30pm ET

OpTic Gaming vs. Enigma6

Red Reserve vs. Team Kaliber

UNILAD vs. Team Envy

Rise Nation vs. Mindfreak

6pm ET

Luminosity vs. Ground Zero

Splyce vs. Evil Geniuses

Ghost Gaming vs. eUnited

Vitality vs. Epsilon

7:30pm ET

Team Kaliber vs. Rise Nation

Team Envy vs. Enigma6

OpTic Gaming vs. UNILAD

Red Reserve vs. Mindfreak

9pm ET

Splyce vs. eUnited

Ghost Gaming vs. Evil Geniuses

Ground Zero vs. Epsilon

Vitality vs. Luminosity

10:30pm ET

OpTic Gaming vs. Team Envy

Red Reserve vs. Rise Nation

Mindfreak vs. Team Kaliber

Enigma6 vs. UNILAD

So, any favourites? Instantly, Optic Gaming rises to the top of the list here as they swing into the event in dominant form following a first place finish at two of the three 2Ks. Players “Karma” and “Crimsix” are staying true to their epic legacy on the ground. However, the Greenwall was upset in the last 2K before the event as eUnited dragged them to a game five and managed to take the win. Doubts have risen, but these will surely be stamped out with the weekend’s gameplay. Though, apart from the weekend event, there is also an invitational arena being held by Northern Arena for $30,000 yet I doubt the top teams will bother for so little. Still, it’s more competitive Call of Duty for you and I to enjoy.

Storylines, rivalries, histories and expectations; these are some of the concepts which are set on making COD: WWII the largest competitive title in the franchise ever internationally and also locally. We’ll soon be discussing the local scene and who really stands on top.