Call of Duty League Marred by Server Issues

The inaugural Call of Duty League 2020 resumed on Friday, April 10, strictly in an online-only format due to the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Call of Duty fans across the globe waited for a month without any eSports action. The organisers had to reschedule after several weeks of postponement.

The league games were initially supposed to be hosted in-person and on LAN but then it was moved to online remote play which raised concerns about server latency.

Meanwhile, Ian “C6” Porter, a professional player for the Dallas Empire franchise called out the online event by mentioning that he ‘did not enjoy competing over the weekend under the current circumstances’. He further went on to add, replying to people accusing him of being paid too much to nag about the server lag that the viewers get paid nothing to witness ‘a laggy ass match’ & ‘it’s stupid & shouldn’t happen regardless’.

Day 1 Of The Call of Duty Dallas Home Series: April 10

Eight teams had been divided into two groups.

Group A featured Florida Mutineers, Toronto Ultra, Dallas Empire and Los Angeles Guerrillas. Group B contained Paris Legion, Seattle Surge, Chicago Huntsmen and Minnesota R?KKR.

Group B R1, Paris Legion beat Seattle Surge.

• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-171 Seattle
• Petrograd Search and Destroy: 6-1 Paris
• Petrograd Domination: 163-154 Seattle
• Azhir Cave Hardpoint: 250-164 Paris
• Gun Runner Search and Destroy: 6-5 Paris

Final Score: Seattle Surge 2-3 Paris Legion.

Group A R1, Toronto Ultra upset Florida Mutineers.

• Rammaza Hardpoint: 250-122 Florida
• Gun Runner Search and Destroy: 6-0 Toronto
• Gun Runner Domination: 174-156 Florida
• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-230 Toronto
• Rammaza Search and Destroy: 6-3 Toronto

Final Score: Florida Mutineers 2-3 Toronto Ultra.

In Group B R1, Chicago Huntsmen whitewash Minnesota R?KKR.

• Rammaza Hardpoint: 250-239 Chicago
• Petrograd Search and Destroy: 6-5 Chicago
• Gun Runner Domination: 150-143 Chicago

Final Score: Chicago Huntsmen 3-0 Minnesota R?KKR.

Group A R1, Dallas Empire defeat Los Angeles Guerillas.

• Gun Runner Hardpoint: 250-169 Dallas
• Arklov Peak Search and Destroy: 6-3 Los Angeles
• Hackney Yard Domination: Dallas win (Guerrillas forfeit)
• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-244 Dallas

Final Score: Dallas Empire 3-1 Los Angeles Guerrillas.

Day 2 Of The Dallas Home Series: April 11

The schedule of Day 2 of the league series consisted of 4 qualifier matches & 2 elimination matches.

Group B Winners’ R2, Chicago Huntsmen stroll towards victory against Paris Legion.

• Gun Runner Hardpoint: 250-230 Paris
• Petrograd Search and Destroy: 6-4 Chicago
• Gun Runner Domination: 174-147 Chicago
• Petrograd Hardpoint: 250-231 Chicago

Final Score: Paris Legion 1-3 Chicago Huntsmen.

Group A Winners’ R2, Dallas Empire get the better of Toronto Ultra in an even showdown.

• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-235 Dallas
• Gun Runner Search and Destroy: 6-2 Dallas
• Hackney Yard Domination: 156-145 Toronto
• Gun Runner Hardpoint: 250-204 Toronto
• Piccadilly Search and Destroy: 6-2 Dallas

Final Score: Toronto Ultra 2-3 Dallas Empire.

Group B Losers’ R1, Minnesota R?KKR beat Seattle Surge in a close encounter.

• Azhir Cave Hardpoint: 250-220 Minnesota
• Arklov Peak Search and Destroy: 6-3 Minnesota
• Gun Runner Domination: 155-155 tie; 170-152 Seattle
• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-249 Seattle
• Petrograd Search and Destroy: 6-2 Minnesota

Final Score: Seattle Surge 2-3 Minnesota R?KKR.

Group A Losers’ R1, Florida Mutineers beat Los Angeles Guerillas.

• Rammaza Hardpoint: 250-185 Florida
• Gun Runner Search and Destroy: 6-2 Los Angeles
• Petrograd Domination: 159-138 Florida
• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-137 Florida

Final Score: Florida Mutineers 3-1 Los Angeles Guerrillas.

Group B Losers’ R2, Paris Legion are beaten by the Minnesota ROKKR.

• Azhir Cave Hardpoint: 250-150 Minnesota
• Gun Runner Search and Destroy: 6-5 Paris
• Gun Runner Domination: 176-112 Minnesota
• Petrograd Hardpoint: 250-167 Minnesota

Final Score: Paris Legion 1-3 Minnesota ROKKR.

Group A Losers’ R2, Florida Mutineers win against Toronto Ultra.

• Azhir Cave Hardpoint: 250-211 Florida
• Rammaza Search and Destroy: 6-5 Florida
• Gun Runner Domination: 164-136 Toronto
• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-159 Florida

Final Score: Toronto Ultra 1-3 Florida Mutineers.

Day 3 Of The Dallas Home Series: April 12

The schedule contained an elimination bracket consisting of two semifinal matches and the Grand Final.

Semifinal 1: Florida Mutineers rally back by winning three consecutive matches to defeat Chicago Huntsmen.

• Gun Runner Hardpoint: 250-199 Chicago
• Piccadilly Search and Destroy: 6-4 Florida
• Hackney Yard Domination: 193-125 Florida
• Azhir Cave Hardpoint: 250-222 Florida

Final Score: Chicago Huntsmen 1-3 Florida Mutineers.

Semifinal 2: Minnesota ROKKR defeated Dallas Empire on their home turf and avenged their defeat to Dallas at the grand finals of the Los Angeles Home Series last month.

• Rammaza Hardpoint: 250-222 Minnesota
• Piccadilly Search and Destroy: 6-1 Dallas
• Gun Runner Domination: 153-143 Minnesota
• Hackney Yard Hardpoint: 250-196 Minnesota

Final Score: Dallas Empire 1-3 Minnesota ROKKR.

Grand Finals: Florida Mutineers claimed victory by taking down Minnesota ROKKR. Mutineers rallied back to win three consecutive matches and clinched their first-ever title.

• Azhir Cave Hardpoint: 250-241 Minnesota
• Piccadilly Search and Destroy: 6-2 Florida
• Petrograd Domination: 194-117 Florida
• Gun Runner Hardpoint: 250-115 Florida

Final Score: Florida Mutineers 3-1 Minnesota ROKKR.

Florida Mutineers get the bragging rights and take home $50,000 from the total prize pool of $100,000 for securing first place.

Minnesota ROKKR secured $30,000 for second place.

Dallas Empire & Chicago Huntsmen each received their share of $10,000.

Written by Souhardya Biswas