We know it has been a rough couple of days, thank you for hanging in there with us!

It has been amazing seeing how our community comes together and is really supportive during this time. However, due to the announcement of Echo VR being shut down in August, we do need your help figuring out what we should do next. 

Please take a few minutes to fill out the feedback form linked below. This form is only a couple of questions and will help the Moderators decide how to proceed with Season 7 and VRML Con. The feedback will be reviewed next week during our break.

If you missed our last announcement, please read below.

Feedback form: https://forms.gle/GqwG4xBw8X1M2o5o8

Hello, everyone.

With regard to this announcement from Ready at Dawn: https://medium.com/@EchoGames/an-update-on-the-future-of-echo-vr-7f074dca1ed1

We want to first say that we feel the same hurt that you all do about the recent announcement. Echo Arena is more than just a VR Game. It has been a home to so many of us. A place where we've met best friends, started new families, created new businesses, reignited old passions or set fire to new ones, and challenged ourselves in ways we never have before. Seeing it come to an end was the last thing any of us expected. We were as shocked at the news as you are and share in this deep disappointment.

We understand that among the reactions and emotion that there are going to be questions with regard to Echo Arena VRML, Season 7, VRML Con, and VRML generally. So allow us to outline our intentions moving forward.

1) VRML Con will still be happening.
We will have more information on what this will look like for Echo Arena, but we intend to go out with a bang.

2) Season 7 will finish mostly as scheduled.
Next week, we will be going in to an impromptu off-week. During this off-week, we will be taking inventory on exactly where we are and exactly how to move forward. This will also allow teams to reconfigure their rosters and make adjustments.
a) If you can play your games this week, we encourage you to do so, though we understand that this may be difficult.
b) If your team is not going to continue, we ask that you be courteous to the other teams that intend to finish the season and mark your team as inactive.

VRML is not going anywhere.
This organization started in 2017 with Onward, and has since expanded to several games, of which Echo Arena was just one. While this situation is not ideal, the upcoming closing of Echo is heartbreaking, VRML will continue on as it has for the last 6 years. We will update you all with more information next week once everyone has had time to digest this announcement. In the meantime, we will be mourning right along side you. 

Video by Richjie, follow and subscribe for excellent content!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHHn6cWtD0o

Master Tier Team Registration
Teams that would like to participate had until Monday, January 9, 2023 12:00 PM to finalize their rosters and set their teams to "Active" on the VRML website. Changes after this date & time = Team no longer eligible.

Registration closes Friday, January 13, 2023 12:00 PM https://forms.gle/z3XXGBxoHrtpbWFv9
If you believe your team might be eligible for the Master Tier Qualifier, please fill out the above form. If you're near the line and not sure, go ahead and fill it out. Once registration closes, we will recalc where necessary and then organize the teams in order of MMR. The top 16 (not including the 2 auto-qualifying) teams will be invited to participate in the Master Tier Qualifier.

Once all teams have been confirmed, the mods will release the team list publicly.

Master Tier Qualifier Schedule
- The tournament will be played on a single day over 5 rounds.
- Each round will be 45 minutes long (just under 4 hours)
- Teams in each round will play simultaneously.
- https://www.twitch.tv/VRMasterLeague will be live, + up to 2 more channels, pending availability.

Master Tier Qualifier Format
This modified-swiss tournament is designed to start with 16 teams and declare 8 winners. Teams compete until they have either Won 3 games or Lost 3 games, whichever happens first. Once again the Top 2 Returning Teams from the end of Season 6 will be Auto-Qualified for Master Tier to start Season 7.

SEASON 7 BANNER DESIGN

Talking about Season 7 corrections and badges/tags... here is the design! We have received questions recently about the community being able to help design and give out ideas. To answer this, yes of course anyone can share their ideas and designs. We will look at options for community involvement in an easier way, but for now please share the ideas via a ticket in the VRML Support Server.

ARE YOU READY?

Here is your checklist:

1. Are you in the Discord server? If not, right this way https://discord.gg/SBb628eJuQ
2. Are you looking for a team? Check out the recruitment channels in Discord and contact team captains in your region. https://vrmasterleague.com/EchoArena/Recruiting
3. Already got a squad? Create a team! https://vrmasterleague.com/EchoArena/Register Make sure you've assigned your team captain and co-captain their roles and that at least one of you is in the Support Server https://discord.gg/48JWECFQy7
4. Have your teammates read the rules? Make sure to read them and then read them again here: https://vrmasterleague.com/EchoArena/Rules Any updates to the rules will be announced in Discord. Feel free to ask questions!
5. Is your team set to "Active"? Make sure your team is activated prior to Monday, January 23rd to get matches. The admins may put all teams as "inactive" this week to make sure there are no false starts when matches are generated.
6. Have fun! 

STAY CONNECTED!

Last but not least, follow us on all our social media to not miss casted match announcements, clipped plays, and general VR esports goodness!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EchoArena_VRML
Facebook: https://facebook.com/@VRMasterLeague
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@VRMasterLeague
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vrmasterleague
Twitch:
https://twitch.tv/EchoArena_VRML
https://twitch.tv/VRMasterLeague
https://twitch.tv/EchoArena_VRML2
https://twitch.tv/EchoArena_VRML3
YouTube: https://YouTube.com/c/EchoArenaMasterLeague

See you in the arena!

We are now into the Echo Arena off season and have already seen some major roster changes and teams form. Pre-season and season 1, 2, and 3 champions jokr is now back together, Season 6 champions the neighbors are now down to two players, and the return of a fan favorite wirless jacks is on the horizon. The VRML Moderation team has posted an announcement updating the rules changing some and adding more clearity as well. Stay tuned because if this has all happened in just a few weeks of the off season I'm excited to see whats next! If you are interested in Echo Arena VRML make sure to join us here

Last weekend, our finalists rose to the occasion and played their best to qualify for the Grand Finals! With $11,220 in cash and gear from our sponsors, HyperX, VR Cover, and Asterion Products, there's a lot on the line. 

In OCE, the Japanese finalists, Villain, and the reigning champions, EXO Clan (formerly known as Leviathan), will be playing for the title of Season 6 OCE/Asia Champions! Having met 9 times in the last 2 seasons, Villain have only gotten one win off of EXO Clan, but they are determined to be this season's champions. Their progression and growth has been astounding. However, EXO Clan will not give up the crown without a fight. They are experienced and they are ready. Get to know the OCE/Asia finalists with these interviews: 

Sunday, November 20th at 3 PM AEDT | 11 PM EST (Saturday), you can catch the Season 6 OCE/Asia Grand Finals on https://twitch.tv/echoarena_vrml
Bracket: https://challonge.com/EchoArenaS6FinalsOCE

In EU, the battle was hard fought and Blast! and Scuffed came out on top! Sunday, they'll meet again to play for  that coveted title of Season 6 EU Champions. Both teams came very close in previous seasons. In Season 5, Blast! came second and Scuffed, fourth. Scuffed is the underdog with only one win against Blast! in two seasons. It'll be a great match and we wish good luck to all the players! Watch their interview here:

Tune into the Season 6 EU Grand Finals on all our platforms Saturday, November 20th at 11 AM PDT | 2 PM EDT | 1900 UTC :
Meta Horizon Worlds https://ocul.us/3hXcB8E
Twitch https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
Bracket: https://challonge.com/EchoArenaS6FinalsEU

In NA,  the competition is fierce with many matches still to be played to determine our Grand Finalists. juice box, Hot Drop, The Neighbors, Ethereal, Vicious, and Instinct are still in the running. Saturday November 19th, the competition continues! Watch their interviews here:

Tune in here:

Saturday, November 19th - Semi-Finals starting at 1 PM PST | 4 PM EDT | 2100 UTC
Meta Horizon Worlds: https://ocul.us/3OedtSJ
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague

Sunday, November 20th - Lower Bracket Finals starting at 2 PM PST | 5 PM EDT | 2200 UTC
Meta Horizon Worlds: https://ocul.us/3Gr4w6t
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague

Sunday, November 20th - Grand Finals starting at 3:30 PM PST | 6:30 PM EDT | 2330 UTC
Meta Horizon Worlds: https://ocul.us/3Gr4w6t
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague

Bracket: https://challonge.com/EchoArenaS6FinalsNA

And, we'll be doing MASSIVE GIVEAWAYS during the matches and on our social media accounts! Here is the link to our social media giveaway: https://vrmasterleague.com/FallFest2022

Good luck to all our finalists and community members! 

After 12 weeks of regular play, we are almost ready to present the Season 6's finalists for all three regions! They'll be playing to reach the Grand Finals on November 20th and for a prize pool of $11,220 in cash and gear from our sponsors! Congrats to all who made it so far! 

Details: https://vrmasterleague.com/EchoArena/Championships/Season6

OCE/Asia Finalists: EXO Clan,  Villain, Astrea, Euphoria, F3verDream, and Last Centurions
Bracket: https://challonge.com/EchoArenaS6FinalsOCE 

EU Finalists: Blast!, Scuffed, Fire Entrance, Astronomic, Fireballs, Team Gravity, NothingToLose, and Koi
Bracket: https://challonge.com/EchoArenaS6FinalsEU

NA Finalists: juice box, Vicious, Instinct, Ethereal, W, Kangorillaz, Anomaly, Hot Drop, The Neighbors, and Montage
Bracket: https://challonge.com/EchoArenaS6FinalsNA

Where to watch Day 1, November 12th?

OCE/Asia Semi-Finals - Day 1, 3 PM AEDT | 11 PM EST
EAML1: https://twitch.tv/echoarena_vrml
EAML2: https://twitch.tv/echoarena_vrml2

EU Semi-Finals - Day 1, 12:30 PM EST | 1730 UTC
Meta Horizon Worlds: https://ocul.us/3DYdnKe
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
YouTube: https://youtu.be/jTVtJH6tlZw
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/3ILOxlQ1d

NA Semi-Finals - Day 1,  2:30 PM PST | 5:30 PM EST
Meta Horizon Worlds: https://ocul.us/3g2YRIZ
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
YouTube: https://youtu.be/z8lJNdUSYsA
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/9bySlCAkq

Where to watch Day 2, November 13th?

OCE/Asia Semi-Finals - Day 2, 3 PM AEDT | 11 PM EST
EAML1: https://twitch.tv/echoarena_vrml
EAML2: https://twitch.tv/echoarena_vrml2

EU Semi-Finals - Day 2, 12:30 PM EST | 1730 UTC
Meta Horizon Worlds: https://ocul.us/3G7iASn
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
YouTube: https://youtu.be/8pFcypfW7wA
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/3246sZIXt

NA Semi-Finals - Day 2,  2:30 PM PST | 5:30 PM EST
Meta Horizon Worlds: https://ocul.us/3Tum30D
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
YouTube: https://youtu.be/G3sEi1g1G-g
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4YESmJM9b

Who will advance? Who's season will end this weekend? Tune in to find out! 

Okay! Hello and thank you for taking some time to answer my questions today! Would you like to start by introducing yourself to our readers?

"I am iFoxy and I am the current captain of Everkey."

Okay. First off: Congrats on getting into Master Tier! Incredibly well played in the Challenger Cup. What do you think made you guys stand out from the other teams in the end?

"Honestly, I don't know. At the end of the day.. I guess we just played a bit better than the others. We played many very, very good teams and anyday this could have went anywhere you know? I think in the end we just made less mistakes than the others and just had a good day. Seem maybe other players had an off-day but we just had a great day and great plays. I hope we will be able to keep playing like that."

Interesting, amazing performance you had that day indeed! Well, onto the next question: You being the captain, how much influence do you think you had over the performance of your teammates?

"I mean, we kinda all share a thing and that kinda stuff, like: I'm listed as captain but we really don't have a hierachy and everybody just does their job and do what they should be doing. So we're not like: Oh you're captain you should be managing everything and it's more or less like: We're all working together to make what is best for the team.

Yes, I think that is something very important for the sake of the team. Next up: What did it feel like when you guys knew you're going to play in Master? Surely the hype must have been real!


"Uhm well, it was very loud! I think also because only three of our players have been in Master before. Now we also got  Ninjatim- and Unknown- on the team as well. But yeah, it was very hyped up - very loud and I think we were all very happy when we won.

Absolutely, I can only imagine! Do you think you'll be able to stay in this Master Division for longer? What are your goals for the next few cycles anyway?

Our goal is going to stay in Master Tier - even reach the Top 5 of Master in the future. That's going to need a lot of practise though, especially because TechnoWubs doesn't have much time at the moment - having to drop down to sub which really got rid of some chemistry. And since no one has chemistry with the new guys yet, it's going to take a bit of time but we are certains that we'll get good together soon.

Yeah, will definitely require a lot of practising and scrimming, I'd imagine. But well, Ending it up here: what is your advice for all the new teams and players out there? What do you think is the most important part of this game to get good and climb the ladder?

Well, whenever you're playing with your team you have to utilise everbody in the arena. There are a lot of good players that are good on their own and anyday they could be considered a "Master Player" but the problem is: many people don't want to utilise their teams and that's where the chemistry comes in - so it's a bit of both: You have to want it, be willing to train while also having teammates that are on the same page - that wanna get better and be in that spot.

That sounds like very good advice, especially for new teams coming into the League! Well thank you very much for answering and I wish you the best for this season!

"It has been my pleasure!"

Hello Folks!

It's almost time for the NA Cycle 1 Challenger Cup! This cup decides, after 4 weeks of regular play, who will enter the Cycle 2 Master tier and who will be relegated to the ladder. 

The 8 teams entering the Cup are: Young Money Clan, 7 (Seven), Odyssey, EverykeyNet, Cerberus, Zen, 10.2.1, and Hex! You can see what players are predicting for this exciting event here on Challonge: https://challonge.com/EchoArenaVRMLS6C1CCNA/predictions

Links to watch:

Challenger Cup Day 1 Stream Links:
Horizon Worlds: http://ocul.us/3Km5gtu
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
YouTube: https://youtu.be/HHe2hKpe__c
Facebook Gaming: https://fb.com/events/367941775375419

Challenger Cup Day 2 Stream Links:
Horizon Worlds: http://ocul.us/3Czpga9
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
YouTube: https://youtu.be/D35TyQk9aD0
Facebook Gaming: https://fb.com/events/1238081600326977

And, stay tuned for a giveaway featuring a gift from our sponsor, HyperX! 

Good luck to all!

Analysis by _esxx

in an hour Fireballs vs. Legionaries:
After having to play the start of the season with League Substitutes, Fireballs got ranked in Gold tier after playing in Diamond and Master tier in previous seasons. They will now be trying to fight themselves up the ranks once again with Legionaries being the first hurdle in their way. Staying 3-0 in their first matches as a team, they are a force to be reckon with.

in 2 hours BlueFire vs. droid
Team droid, a team currently ranked in Gold tier, though finishing in high Platinum last season, is going against BlueFire, a new team with veteran players with Seasons of experience in the Platinum and Diamond ranks. With BlueFire standing 5-2 and droid 4-2 in terms of wins and losses, they've already shown that they are definitely worthy of their ranks - maybe even enough to strike for more!

in 2 hours Lite vs Skull Breakers
Lite, a returning team from last season, though sitting out the first few weeks, have already shown in their first game what they are capable of doing. Skull Breakers, a team also formed last season, are currently standing 3-3 in terms of a Win-Loss ratio and are now looking to break out of the Bronze into the embattled Silver tier! 

Watch it all unfold right here:
Worlds: https://ocul.us/3QVi38q
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vrmasterleague
YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5pCBQvO2hs
Facebook Gaming: https://fb.com/events/463928225599690