MLG FN

Fantastic.

"Hello, and welcome to this year's Oversight League tournament tryouts! aspiring MLG teams are coming from across the nation to play in this week's showdowns, and we've seen some really great contenders so far."

Two men sat at a desk, and everything would have seemed overwhelmingly 'sporty' were it not for the video games merch lying conspicuously in view. Behind them, the recording displayed people milling about, filling up chairs before two rows of computers (and their respective seats) that had yet to be filled.

Todd was a rather round man, with baby blue eyes and tousled dark hair that gave him a vaguely handsome appearance; like you weren't certain if he was truly good looking, or if it was just that his hair complimented him. He wore a collared shirt, and a tie that was loosened around his neck so far he could lift it right off were he to try. The tv service dictated he be in business attire, so his suit jacket was hung over the back of his chair untouched.

John, meanwhile, was his partner's halfway-opposite. He looked like someone had placed his head in a taffy puller and activated it for a split second: just elongated enough to look sort of impish but not enough to be unphotogenic enough for tv. He had bright red hair and dark eyes, and was coated in freckles. If he weren't so tall, leprechaun jokes would be made about him. His father was prone to remarking that he looked more of a Jim than a John, for reasons unknown. He had just been recalling those words, when he was prompted to speak and had to act quickly on his feet.

Luckily, that was his best talent. The words came to him in a flash. "That's right Todd, looks like MRG and Cloud 8 have some serious competition this year; the boys of Team Waifuu, despite their absurd name, seem to be dominating the leaderboards with a double objective cap of just under five minutes."

"We got the opportunity to interview each and every one of the new contenders as they step up to the plate. Now we head down to the floor to talk to the newest groups coming in. Marsha?"

"Thanks, Todd. So our first team is the fairly well-known group GGamz, whose roster has changed dramatically over the years as they tried to find a foothold in the competitive and streaming circles. They're based out of Orlando, Florida; but you've got a couple members from across the pond on the roster."

Marsha spoke from the floor, off to the side so you could just barely see the computer setup awaiting the groups behind her. She was blonde, with a rounded face, light brown eyes surrounded by large lashes and colourful eyeshadow, and had high cheekbones. She bore a resemblance to a certain celebrity that wasn't enough to pass as her, but just enough that hairdressers made absent comments about it at the salon. She was also made up to the nines, and clearly there to look good just as much as she was to give commentary: such was the unfortunate way with live esports; or sports in general, for that matter.

"Their total group SR rates at 4100, so it's looking like they have a pretty good chance." Todd commented, the stats of the team displaying on the screen as he did so. "They also have the famed MikeOc leading the team now, so I think they'll be a strong contender this season."

"I'm actually here with the man himself!" The camera cut to Marsha standing beside a man who looked like the exact manifestation of one who would call themselves MikeOc. The hostess ignored that, likely for her own sanity. "So Mike, you've been doing pretty well so far. You think you'll make it through the tournament?"

"Absolutely," Mike nodded. "We're strong, we're fast, and we've been grinding harder than ever. No scrubs are going to stand in our way."

We was clad in the GGamz gear: a jumpsuit-like top that had the team logo in green on a backdrop of orange like an affront to the senses and to a certain nunchuck-wielding turtle at the same time. Around his neck were a very expensive-looking set of headphones; the team's sponsors paid for them, so he had the best out there.

"I wish you luck in the coming tournament." Marsha grinned dazzlingly at the camera. "MikeOc, everybody; leader of team GGamz."

Mike moved off again, and she seemed to almost breath a sigh of relief before continuing. "Our next team is straight out of obscurity; the Fantastic Nerds. All-Canadian based, these guys have a minor YouTube channel and a couple Twitch accounts, but they're not altogether well known."

"In fact, it was a surprise to find folks like this at the tournament at all. Their group rating clocks in at the lowest of all teams; about 3600SR which, of course, is barely above master level. That also means the odds aren't looking good for them against GGamz." Todd read out details as they appeared on the screen. "However, their team comp is something we've never seen before: it consists just about entirely of self-defined flex players."

"I'm here with a member of their team now, actually! KnightOfTheNorth, or KnightONorth for Oversight purposes. How are you feeling about today's match?"

The man standing next to her hopefully looked a lot more tired than he was. Suited in a bright yellow hoodie with the team logo and his gametag on it, he had the look of a hulking, tired, walking banana.

"I'm feeling great." He told Marsha, and it was only half believable at first. "I think we've got a good plan going, and we've been on a win streak lately, but maybe that's just me. But believe me, I'm also nervous. I mean, these guys have a good 500 SR on us. But one thing we always like to say is, never underestimate the power of elo hell."

"Truer words were never spoken." John commented. "But there's a difference between a bit of elo hell and a skill gap."

"I'm sure we'd all like to think it's just that separating us platinums from the grandmasters." Todd laughed.

"Thanks for your time, and good luck in your match!" Marsha said, as KnightONorth moved off towards where his team was surely waiting offscreen. "Well, guys, we've got five minutes til go time, and then these two teams will be going head to head and seeing who will be moving up the ladder, and who will be shuffled down into second round attempts at the leaderboard."

"Good luck to both teams, and to all those waiting in line for the same fate." John told the camera decisively. "While we wait, let's take a look at some predictions, plays, and statistics."

"For that, we go to Mark in the Math room. Mark?"

The 'Math room' was more of an office. Desks sat behind the man, and half of them appeared to be greenscreened into existence. Mark held a clipboard in one bony hand, while the other twirled a pen absently. A wise person would question the legitimacy of his 'Math' with a capital M. His compatriots did not seem wise.

But there was a firey look in his eyes. It was clear that however questionable his Math was, he truly and strongly believed in it.

"The Math never lies, Todd." Mark declared. "I can just about guarantee a close tie; 78% chance of GGamz coming out on top; but don't forget! FanNerds have pulled a win like this before. I dug through records and found evidence of them defeating teams over one thousand SR above them in the Atlantic Canadian Championships back when their rating was barely diamond. They had an 86% chance of failure, then!"

"I dunno, Mark. I think my money is still on GGamz." John laughed.

"Well, for anyone who isn't a stubborn ass, I would hold on betting for this match. It's going to be a close one." Mark told the camera with firm conviction. "Don't count them out yet!"

"Well, the players are coming out on the floor in a little more than a minute, which I'd say gives us just enough time for a look at the roster." Todd commented.

Mark, of course, took over. "Team GGamz consists of team leader and DPS main MikeOc, along with tank players Cyndakill and 88Nut, support main DollaBill, and flex players Reckr89 and Fund1p." the players' icons, skill ratings, and photos appeared on screen. "They have an average collective winrate of 82 percent."

"And Fantastic Nerds?"

"Lead by support main Birb, one of the few support leaders we've seen. Flex players in NPJN00BS, CoCoolBeans, KnightONorth, and ArtiumFlora. Tank main in NyaBoi. Group winrate of 71%."

"Speaking of the folks of the hour, here they come. Looks like the match is about to start!" Marsha called.

"Good luck to our contestants." Todd told the camera, as if the nervous players could see him. "I guess we'll see if John owes Mark money by the end of tonight's matches!"

"The Math doesn't lie!"