Halo 5 Tournament Will Be Featured at X Games This Year

Esports is on the rise. Earlier today, we reported that ESPN is getting really serious about esports with its own division. Now, Halo 5: Guardians is on its way to Aspen for this year's X Games.

ESPN X Games and Xbox are working together to bring the fifth Halo game to Aspen from January 28 to 31. It's part of the Halo World Championship Tour, and for the first time, highlights from the esports tournament will be aired as part of the X Games Aspen broadcasts on ESPN.

The Halo World Championship Tour: X Games Aspen Invitational will feature eight of the top teams from around the world competing in a single-elimination bracket-style tournament. The prizes up for grabs include medals and $30,000 in prize money. Although the teams will be participating in the Halo World Championship, the Aspen tournament is its own thing and won't contribute points or change placements for regional finals.

X Games vice president Tim Reed says the Halo 5 competition is a good fit for the X Games.

"We are thrilled to team with Xbox to feature the top gamers at X Games Aspen," said Reed in a press release. "Gaming plays a big role in the youth culture and the Halo World Championship Tour: X Games Aspen Invitational nicely complements the world-class action sports competition and musical elements at the X Games."

Head of 343 Industries Bonnie Ross says the Halo developer is dedicated to growing Halo as an esport.

"We are committed to the long-term growth of Halo esports through world-class events and the expansion of viewership around the globe," said Ross. "There is no one better than X Games and ESPN to team up with for the Halo World Championship Tour, and we're excited to see the best teams compete for gold this January at the X Games Aspen Invitational."

As was mentioned earlier, ESPN has kicked off an esports division that it says will be a destination for "comprehensive coverage surrounding the world of competitive gaming." Earlier this year, Activision confirmed that it had acquired the business assets of MLG (Major League Gaming), in which the company announced it's aiming to create the "ESPN of esports."