THE ES TIMES — The world of competitive gaming is poised to take center stage. Esports World Cup: Level Up, a five-part docuseries directed by Emmy Award winner R.J. Cutler, premieres on Prime Video on June 6, with new episodes weekly.
A behind-the-scenes look at a pivotal moment in esports
As someone deeply immersed in the industry, I find this series incredibly compelling. Level Up delves into the first-ever Esports World Cup (EWC) 2024, a historic tournament with prizes exceeding $60 million. The stakes were high, and the excitement was unstoppable.
The series was filmed in verité style, capturing authentic, unscripted moments. Cutler's team immersed themselves in the heart of the eight-week event, giving us a rare glimpse into the people and stories that made this tournament happen.
Global Reach and World-Class Storytelling
The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television's This Machine and will air exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries. Directed by R.J. Cutler, with John Dorsey as production manager. Executive producers include Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein, and Mark Blatty.
The Human Drama at the Heart of Competition
Cutler highlights the emotional side of esports:
“Level Up isn’t just about money. It’s about the passion and inner strength of competitors who push themselves to the limit. Under pressure, their human essence emerges.”
This feeling is real. I’ve seen how fierce competition reveals the true character of players, and this series captures that essence.
EWC Club Championship: A New Format for a New Era
At the heart of the series is the EWC Club Championship, where clubs competed across more than 20 games for ranking points. Every match was a game-changer, and every point was valuable. With the largest prize money in esports history, this format redefined what a tournament could be. Touching Stories from Around the World
From the unknown to legends, Level Up highlights unforgettable journeys:
• Soka (Team Falcons) - A confident, loud player from Oakland, using his bold style to conceal a difficult past. His passion drives his team forward.
• FAKER (T1) - A living legend from South Korea, struggling with his opponents and the weight of his legacy.
• Sanford (Team Liquid) - A 19-year-old prodigy from the Philippines, supporting his family after his father suffered a stroke. His story combines survival and ambition.
• Drazah (Atlanta FaZe) - Raised in a cabin in Alaska with seven siblings, his journey to the main stage showcases the true meaning of resilience.
• Chel & Cinny (Team Vitality) - Two sisters from Indonesia, leading the strongest women's team in Mobile Legends history. Personal loss tests their emotional strength.
• Yevhen Zolotarov (NAVI) - Competing for Ukraine amidst war. Fighting for more than just a title.
• Mossad Aldossary (Team Falcons) - A young Riyadh-based CEO carrying national pride on his shoulders. Local pressure? Tremendous.
A celebration of esports and its global community
The Esports World Cup 2024 hosted approximately 1,500 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries. They competed across 22 tournaments in 21 games for the biggest prize in the game's history.
“Titles focus on the winners, but this series showcases the real story - what it takes to reach the top. Level Up captures that journey,” says Ralf Reichert, Executive Director of the EWCF.
And I couldn’t have said it better. Esports isn’t just about winning; it’s about people, sacrifice, and the love of the game.
Don’t miss the premiere
Esports World Cup: Level Up premiered on Prime Video on June 6. If you're a fan of esports or inspiring stories - or both - this is a work you shouldn't miss.
