The ESWC Masters of Paris will gather French champions and selected international champions in thrilling showcased tournaments that will reward their winners with prize money and autoberths for the ESWC Grand Final 2008. Tournaments will be played on high-end computers provided by the Official Partners Packard Bell and Intel. Selected matches will be played on stage. The event will be open to spectators.

All the official ESWC disciplines will be played. ESWC Masters are allowed to welcome a maximum of ¼ of local champions and a minimum of ¾ of international champions.

Counter-Strike 1.6 © Valve Software
The tournament will gather 20 teams:
* 4 French teams (TOP 4 from ESWC France ranking on June 4th)
* 16 International teams (through candidate application)
* 3 autoberths to win for the ESWC Grand Final

Counter-Strike 1.6 Women © Valve Software
The tournament will gather 12 teams (women only):
* 2 French teams (TOP 2 from ESWC France ranking on June 4th)
* 10 International teams (through candidate application)
* 2 autoberths to win for the ESWC Grand Final

Defense of The Ancients © Blizzard
The tournament will gather 12 teams:
* 2 French teams (TOP 2 from ESWC France ranking on June 4th)
* 10 International teams (through candidate application)
* 2 autoberths to win for the ESWC Grand Final

Warcraft III TFT © Blizzard
The tournament will gather 20 players:
* 4 French champions (TOP 4 from ESWC France ranking on June 4th)
* 16 International champions (through candidate application)
* 3 autoberths to win for the ESWC Grand Final

Trackmania Nations © Nadeo
The tournament will gather 20 players:
* 4 French champions (TOP 4 from ESWC France ranking on June 4th)
* 16 International champions (through candidate application)
* 3 autoberths to win for the ESWC Grand Final

Quake III Arena © ID Software
The tournament will gather 20 players:
* 4 French champions (TOP 4 from ESWC France ranking on June 4th)
* 16 International champions (through candidate application)
* 3 autoberths to win for the ESWC Grand Final

Additional Information

The international candidate applications will take place on Internet at: http://www.eswc.com/masters/paris2008

Candidate Applications: March 20 - May 20, 2008
Announcement of International Selection: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Announcement of French Selection: Wednesday, June 4, 2008

A prize money of 65,000$ will be offered to the tournament champions notably to help them covering the travel expenses for the ESWC Grand Final at San José. Prize money breakdown per tournament:

Counter-Strike : 1. $12,500 / 2. $7,500 / 3. $5,000
Counter-Strike Women : 1. $7,500 / 2. $5,000
Defense of The Ancients : 1. $7,500 / 2. $5,000
Warcraft 3 : 1. $2,500 / 2. $1,500 / 3. $1,000
Trackmania Nations : 1. $2,500 / 2. $1,500 / 3. $1,000
Quake 3 : 1 $2,500 / 2. $1,500 / 3. $1,000

Masters registration fee: 50 euros per participant.

About the “Mondial du Gaming”

The “Mondial du Gaming” (international gaming show) is a world class event of video games, produced by Games-Services, from 4 to 6 of July 2008 in Paris Bercy, the outstanding location of ESWC 2006. The “Mondial du Gaming” will gather in one place for 3 days : Open Tournaments for casual gamers, a video games expo, the ESWC France finals, the ESWC Masters of Paris (PR from January 18 - http://www.eswc.com/document/7.html), The Ipowergames 2008 finals, champions matches played on several stages and many other surprises… More info coming soon on www.mondialdugaming.com and www.gaming-show.com.