Air Force Gaming: US Military Creates Its Own Esports Championship
Author: Hawk Live LLC
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The United States military treats video games with great seriousness, and there’s even a dedicated esports organization called Air Force Gaming (AFG) that was created by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the Department of Defense. Besides, AFG is not only the one which brings together gamers within the military but also organizes its own esports championship.
Credit: DAF Gaming
AFG Gaming has been around since 2019, with military personnel participating since its inception. Although each branch of the U.S. military has an esports organization, Air Force Gaming is believed to be one of the best.
What is the DAF Gaming League
The DAF Gaming League is among the largest tournaments in world esports with about 25k gamers participating as per official Air Force Gaming website and this puts it among the largest global esports competitions. The tournament was established in 2019 and has grown over time in terms of participants involved as well as variety of esports disciplines that have taken part in it.
Credit: DAF Gaming
It is worth mentioning that only active-duty USAF personnel or Department of Defense employees can participate in the DAF Gaming League; among other rewards winners receive trophies, medals, valuable awards, and a chance to join Air Force Gaming’s e-sports organisation. It allows military men to become professional e-sports athletes covered by their government
In total, 92 teams take part in DAFGL for being declared as having the most powerful line-up. The league is divided into two formats: DAFGL Pro and DAFGL Casual.
DAFGL Pro
DAFGL Pro focuses on competitive eSports and aspect of competition in gaming . Belonging to these teams does not differ from competing for any other eSports club.Players compete within teams are always seeking to be number ones using titles from other competitions for cash prizes.
DAFGL Casual
On flip side however, DAFGL Casual aims at bringing together players without competitive pressure from US army. As such they play enjoy themselves interacting occasionly playing to win titles or rewards
DAF Gaming League Spring 2024 Season
The final of the DAF Gaming League Spring 2024 Season took place on April 13-14. The competitions lasted for 8 weeks, during which the best esports athletes were determined, and they advanced to the tournament finals.
During this time, 8 of the strongest teams were selected for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 competition, competing for the championship title. Additionally, military personnel battled for victory in the League of Legends championship in a 3v3 format, and there were also solo fights in Street Fighter 6.
DAF Gaming League Summer 2024 Season
Air Force Gaming has announced the upcoming DAF Gaming League Summer 2024 Season which will include regional qualifiers open to players from North America, Europe, and Asia. This information came through a press release by Air Force Gaming.
Credit: USAF
Overall, these initiatives allow military personnel to combine their service with their love for video games while also opening up opportunities for them to become professional gamers who could potentially continue in any e-sports club globally.
FORCECON 2024
The U.S. Air Force is also setting up FORCECON 2024, the major esports competition for American servicemen and servicewomen. It starts on May 11th and revolves around Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 only. Each branch of the U.S. military will nominate its best representatives in this field of esports. The grand finals will have the crème de la crème because they all qualified to participate in the tournament.
Credit: US Army Esports
Boeing Center in San Antonio Texas is the venue for FORCECON 2024. There are various activities that go beyond just competing among athletes for attendees and visitors.
Entertainment at FORCECON 2024:
Prizes worth more than $1000
Expo hall with top gaming partners in Texas
Retro arcades and flight simulators
VR zone with multiple video games available to test out
Game merch store
Photo booth
60-PC LAN center
Food and beverage area
USO Commanders Cup
USO Commanders Cup is an annual Rocket League competition involving six teams of different military ranks from the US army services; this year it will be held at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where a 3v3 tournament will take place.
Air Force Gaming won Commanders Cup defeating US Army Esports team in 2023 thereby becoming “a top of Rocket League team worldwide among military players.” Notably, while this event has tremendous gaming intensity, but it also highlights how advantageous videogames could be for those in service through enhancing mental health, socialization and support during hard times.
Credit: DAF Gaming
Meanwhile, teams are already getting ready to participate in next year’s USO Commanders Cup which might take place this summer. A battle royal for supremacy shall ensue among these front running sides.
Air Force Gaming on Discord and Twitch
Additionally, besides their involvement into organizing competitions within service branches such as tournaments connecting through platforms like Twitch and Discord with a military community among the gaming enthusiasts. Thanks to a variety of activities on their Discord channel and streams covering various esports disciplines, they are developing the esports sphere in the military.
Different Esports evenings and other activities that can be followed on Discord help soldiers stay in touch with civilian life during their service; many participants of hostilities return to normal social life and find common ground with comrades. Some may even try their hand at esports and develop their gaming skills.
Twitch also provides an opportunity for military men to get rid of stress caused by their workloads, find mates who have similar interests as they do, or understand which esports direction is more preferable for them. Besides that, Air Force Gaming periodically shows U.S. Army-made exclusive esports events only available in the official channel.
