As the Major League Gaming (MLG) 2006 season kicks off, MLG today announced Scion as the presenting sponsor and exclusive automobile partner for the MLG Pro Circuit and the MLG Pro Invasion Bus Tour.
In addition to being a presenting sponsor, Scion is offering a limited-production xB Release Series 3.0 to the "Scion Player of the Year",
a competition to choose the most improved pro gamer of the 2006 Pro Circuit.
"Scion has always been a strong supporter of the gaming community, and Major League Gaming offers a great opportunity for Scion to get involved
and show our support for this emerging new sport," said Adrian Si, Interactive Marketing Manager, Scion.
MLG is the only professional video gaming league in America. By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport, and packaging
that competition for the mass market, MLG provides players, game publishers, and media partners a unique connection with the 168 million
Americans playing video games today.
"Scion and MLG both have a unique and growing place in youth culture," said Erik Semmelhack, EVP of Global Sales & Partnerships, MLG. "Together, we're looking forward to building what we believe will ultimately become
the next major league sport in America."
The Major League Gaming Pro Circuit Presented by Scion will hold pro competitions in seven cities in 2006: Secaucus (The Meadowlands), Dallas,
Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago (Playoffs) and Las Vegas (National Championship). The MLG Pro Invasion Bus Tour Presented by Scion will kick off in the summer, with four of MLG's pro gamers traveling the
country to find the next generation of pro gamers.
In November, at the conclusion of the 2006 Pro Circuit, Scion will announce the "Scion Player of the Year," who will win the limited-production Scion xB Release Series 3.0. Exterior features include Envy Green paint, color-keyed Aero Speedgrille, seven-spoke wheel covers
and a color-keyed rear spoiler. The interior features include a premium Alpine DVD audio/video receiver with Apple iPod connectivity, a mini-jack for most portable music players, XM satellite receiver with three months free XM radio, and a full-function remote control. It also features a Vizualogic(TM) Dual Headrest Rear Seat Entertainment System with a
seven-inch LCD monitor mounted on the back of each front seat headrest and two infrared wireless headphones. Only 2,200 units of this model will be built. Gamers will be able to access http://www.scion.com and http://www.mlgpro.com throughout the year to get a look at the 2006 Scion xB Release Series 3.0
and to cast their votes for competing pros.
The first event of the "Major League Gaming Pro Circuit presented by Scion" is this Friday through Sunday, April 21-23, at the Meadowlands in Secaucus, NJ. The tournament kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with the championships being held on Sunday (doors open at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday). Attendance is free and on a first come, first serve basis.
Door prizes will be given out daily, including a fully loaded Xbox 360.
Early registration at mlgpro.com will help ensure a reserved seat.