E-Sports Entertainment Association League (ESEA League) is anesports competitivevideo gaming online league & community founded byE-Sports Entertainment Association (ESEA). The company is widely known for theiranti-cheat software. ESEA features a system that allows players of all levels to play matches with others.[1]
ESEA League began offering lessons to improve gaming skills in 2003 providing instruction inHalf-Life,Counter-Strike, andWarcraft III.[2] ESEA created the first professional fantasy e-sports league in 2004.[3] ESEA began its league history withCounter-Strike,[4] but later addedTeam Fortress 2 (TF2) a game which gained more popularity after its adaption to "Free-to-play" gaming.[5] However, due to the relative lack of players in its TF2 leagues, ESEA announced its intent to shut down the TF2 leagues on April 17, 2019.[6]
ESEA League games can be viewed by fans as live streams from internet broadcasting channels such as eXtv,Nova Spivack's Live Matrix, TeamFortress.tv, streams onTwitch and clips onYouTube.[7] The annual sponsored ESEA LeagueLAN Finals are held inDallas,Texas.[8][9][10]
On 1 May 2013, a user reported that the ESEA's anti-cheat software was being used to minebitcoins without the user's consent. This was confirmed by ESEA's co-founder Eric 'lpkane' Thunberg in two subsequent forum posts. As of the date of discovery, the claimed dollar value of bitcoins mined totaled $3,713.55.[11][12][13] As of November 2013, ESEA has agreed to a US$1 million settlement, though a separate class action lawsuit is still ongoing.[14]
In 2017, the company announced new server expansion in Dubai to serve theCS:GO community inMiddle East. In April 2018, ESEA announced Rank S division for players in that region.[15] Later in May 2018, ESEA announced the first CS:GO League for Middle East teams.[16]
