Ever wondered what is worth more than the entertainment and the music industry combined? Gaming, of course! Director R.J. Cutler has just the right answer to back that statement up with a wild showcase of victory and agony on the biggest stage possible. Esports World Cup: Level Up is a documentary series consisting of five 40-minute episodes that detail the world’s most ambitious Esports tournament ever staged. Setting the scene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where 1,500 contenders play for their teams, there are 22 titles and $60 million up for grabs.
The show is a staggering spectacle, especially for those uninitiated to the ins and outs of the esports world. What stands out is its commitment to structure, where every element of the historic tournament is portrayed with worthwhile commentary from officials and participants alike. The episodes take turns spotlighting different esports teams, like Liquid, Falcons, and Navi, to list a few—names that might mean nothing to the non-gamers among us, but will no doubt ring a bell for enthusiasts. From managers to players, the storytelling is a flexible blend of personal and professional, going beyond just your standard behind-the-scenes coverage.
Everything on-screen enjoys a great deal of visual polish. From the graphics to the title cards to the varied use of recorded media. (The drones in particular are fabulous when flying over Riyadh.) The filmmakers have crafted a docu-show that would feel right at home for an instant binge on any streaming platform, including where it’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Newcomers be warned though, the show plops you right into the deep end with team names, video game titles, and concepts you might not be familiar with. In fact, some of the graphics whiz by so quickly you might struggle to grasp them all. At the same time, the overwhelming nature of the series gives it the ability to convey a lot in a short amount of time, while probing the most intriguing parts of the contest more efficiently
There’s more than just entertainment going on (and of course, bragging rights aplenty). It’s commerce through and through. There’s money to be won and plenty of it to be spent investing in players to help win the big cash prizes. Esports World Cup: Level Up sharply engages the business side of things and the so-called “arms race,” where teams will scour the globe for the sharpest and best players to add to their roster. Hidden behind the flashing monitors are real people, with real stories, who come from different walks of life—many from remote and underprivileged areas. In-between colorful blitzes of League of Legends and tactical rushes of CS:GO, we get to sit with the contestants for a minute and see how they sharpen themselves and the reasons for why they play.
Fast-paced but brilliantly put together, R.J. Cutler and the producers from This Machine have a winner on their hands. If the present and future of esports interests you, seek out Esports World Cup: Level Up immediately.
