Is Apex Legends mobile set to become an esport?

When Apex Legends Mobile launched this year in May, many fans and players wondered whether the title would get its own official tournament series or competitive circuit. 

While the ALGS Year 3 with a $5 million prize pool has been announced just recently, it seems that Apex Mobile will have to wait for its esports scene a little longer.

It’s in considerations

Following the game’s release, Myke Hoff, the senior director of the Apex Legends Mobile Division, stated that the team is always open to and pushing for the idea of Apex Legends Mobile having its own esports scene, however, the team’s current priority is to ensure that the game is stable and playable for a wide variety of audience before exploring to the competitive space. Moreover, the developer also wants to ensure that the game has a community that is strong enough to facilitate esports endeavors, as gaming communities are the backbone of their competitive scenes.

“While we don’t have firm plans for any esports right out of the gate, it is something that we will be working towards and actively considering on a continuous basis,” said Hoff.
Even though there are no current plans for an ALGs scene involving the Apex Legends mobile version, the team seems to be determined to continue working towards an esports scene.

Thug Invitational

Meanwhile, Apex Mobile is slowly picking up pace in India, and given the popularity of mobile games in the region, it’s possible that the Apex Mobile esports scene will emerge here rather than in the west. One of the most popular mobile esports tournament franchises in India known as Thug Invitational already hosted an Apex Legends Mobile tournament series, featuring 16 streamers from across India in a battle battling for the $3100 prize pool. This particular season of the Thug Invitational was held by The Esports Club and it was also the first time that this franchise hosted an Apex Legends Mobile tournament.

Despite the fact that the game is starting to pick up its pace even without the official support of EA and Respawn Entertainment, esports organizations are still hesitant to invest in this new franchise, with only TSM signing Alexandre “Sonho” Luis Mostovoi and “1ceStream” back in May, marking as the only major moves.

As ALGS continues to grow with its prize pool reaching over $2 million this year and EA announcing a $5 million prize pool for Year 3, only the future (and EA) have answers for what Apex Legends mobile has in store. The title would, however, have to go up against PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends Bang Bang if it wants to be regarded as one of the top mobile esports franchises.