Brian is a traditional jock from Texas. Lots of swagger, a natural leader, and a hunger for competition. As a key protagonist, you see him wearing sunglasses throughout and being talked about as leading the team to beat. In the first match, the underdogs rally and beat Brian’s team.

Later it’s revealed that a year earlier, Brian took a high-speed baseball to the face, ending his dreams of a traditional sports career. After months of hospitalizations, he now must wear sunglasses to manage a light sensitivity condition that triggers vomiting.

His parents, Katie and Craig, share the story of his injury and are amazed that after only a year of training with Esports Tower and studying hard to maintain a 4.0 GPA, Brian received over $1.3M in scholarship offers, including D-1 schools he had hoped to play at before his life changing injury - but this time his full-ride sports scholarship is for Rocket League.

Overcoming Adversity -> Watch an excerpt of Wildz's Story

Anthony, a top player in Rocket League, finds himself on the underdog team. Separated from his usual teammates, he’s now the top scorer on a new team. Frustrated by being put on a team with weaker players, he finds himself challenged to the breaking point, demanding to change teams. Coaches share that the INVITATIONAL is purposely designed to help high-potential players rise to new challenges and grow new skills.  How an individual scores has no bearing on whether they’ll be selected for varsity level collegiate team positions. A hard lesson for Enzo to learn.

Through a series of behavioral challenges of highs and lows which require hands-on coaching, Enzo rallies and is recognized as an “up and coming” leader. At the end of the show, viewers will learn that Enzo’s drive to win was fueled by the fact his father was suffering from stage 4 lung cancer and passed away 60 days after the event ended. His mother, who attended the event, wanted to give him this experience so he could come home having won recognition as an up-and-coming leader and share this with his father prior to his passing.

Managing Mental -> Watch an excerpt of Enzo's Story

Amanda is a determined and talented 16-year-old girl with a burning passion for esports. Discovering a love for video games at a young age, she developed a competitive spirit and a natural talent for strategy and quick reflexes. She's set her sights on becoming a professional esports player and has something to prove to the predominantly male players at the Invitational.

Despite facing initial skepticism and discouragement from some, Amanda’s determination never wavers, through tears and being tired, her leadership skills quickly emerged. Her positive attitude, strategic thinking, and ability to rally her teammates have proven instrumental in their success.

Determination & Grit -> Watch an excerpt of DiamondDog's Story

Vaughn is a 3-time junior Olympic medalist for javelin who takes competing to an artform. Whether it's his incredible game-winning plays, strategic maneuvers, or lively banter with opponents, his animated antics and larger-than-life personality grows legendary over the course of the series.

As a featured player, Vaughn brings his unique blend of athletic prowess and charismatic personality to the forefront as he trash-talks former teammates and tries to jokingly help others mind their 'mental game' to achieve success. 

Vaughn’s transition from the world of athletics to esports demonstrates how anyone can apply the time-tested training and techniques from traditional sports to the new world of esports competition. 

Smack Talkin' Fun -> Watch an excerpt of Greed's Story

Born into a military family, Steven's childhood was marked by constant relocations and the ever-changing dynamics of military life. Esports became more than just a hobby for Stephen; it became a lifeline. Through Esports Tower's online gaming communities, he discovered a world where geographical boundaries no longer mattered. He found friends who shared his passion for gaming from various corners of the globe. And this is the first time they meet in person, but the twist, teammates now become rivals as the coaching team divides the top players. 

A keen competitor, Steven strives to beat former teammates.  A rivalry erupts between him and Vaughn “Greed” Marion, which creates a tremendously entertaining show.

Steven is also the Spring Club MVP and came away with top honors in Sportsmanship – as evidenced by his interactions through the INVITATIONAL.

Sportsmanship -> Watch an excerpt of Zyhdra's Story

As his gamer tag implies, Ben is small but powerful. A 13-year-old phenom with an esports stage dad who has himself been a gamer and game developer since the 1980’s. Nano takes on top players, crushing it in Rocket League to many of the INVITATIONAL participants' surprise. 

Ben’s natural talent for gaming quickly became evident as he outshines players much older than him. With lightning-fast reflexes, exceptional strategic thinking, and an uncanny ability to anticipate his opponents' moves, he gained a reputation as a gaming phenom. Despite his young age, Ben's skills surpass those of many seasoned gamers, leaving audiences and professionals in awe.

His extraordinary abilities have caught the attention of the esports community, earning him the title of "one to watch" among industry insiders. With his extraordinary skills, unwavering determination, and the support of his family, Benjamin Curiel is on an unstoppable path toward professional esports success.

Camaraderie ->  Watch excerpt from Nano's Story  | Hear from Nano's Dad

What sets Ellie apart from her peers is her ability to inspire and motivate her teammates. She understands that winning in esports is a team effort, and she takes it upon herself to uplift her teammates and bring out their best performances. Her ability to analyze her team's strengths and weaknesses, formulate effective strategies, and communicate with them with precision has earned her the respect and admiration of her teammates and coaches.

Off the gaming stage, Ellie is a humble and kind-hearted individual. She believes in the power of community and uses her platform to advocate for inclusivity and diversity in esports. She hopes to inspire other young girls to pursue their dreams in the gaming industry and break down gender stereotypes.

At the closing ceremony, Ellie wins the "IRL POCKET" award, being the player that had everyone's back in game and throughout the event.

Creative Clutch Player -> Watch an excerpt of Ellie's Talk with a Scout

Austin is the epitome of resilience and dedication in the esports realm. Throughout his journey, Prestige has shown an unwavering ability to surpass challenges, maintain professionalism, and demonstrate extraordinary sportsmanship.

As his talent blossoms at the bootcamp, Austin becomes more than just an exceptional player—he evolves into a role model for his teammates, inspiring them to push their boundaries and achieve greatness. Such exemplary leadership doesn't go unnoticed, as two prominent esports directors vie to secure his allegiance to their respective schools.

In the end, Austin emerges as the shining star, capturing the coveted title of MVP. His outstanding performance and unwavering determination caught the attention of scouts from top-ranked universities too. The bidding war for Austin's talents reaches a crescendo as Boise State emerges victorious, offering him a prestigious full-ride scholarship.

Scholarship Awards -> Watch an excerpt of Prestiges' Story

Traveling thousands of miles and over 15 hours to attend the event, Niwo finds himself struggling to communicate with his teammates.

A native of Norway, he holds back from engaging in practice and early competitions. Recognizing his struggles, his team rallies to support him as he works to gain confidence, culminating in secretly collaborating to wear the Norwegian flag on their faces as a sign of solidarity with their fellow teammates, bringing him out of his funk and helping him get his head in the game.

Camaraderie and mentality impact gameplay, and with the simple act of showing support, his team took first place, winning that night's tournament.

Communication -> Watch an excerpt of Niwo's Story

Bonesaw's tournament triumph in Overwatch not only marked his individual success but also became a catalyst for a transformative journey of understanding and acceptance for his father.

Like many parents, Bonesaw's dad was concerned about him playing first-person shooter games and resistant to support him committing the time required to be successful in esports.

In a heartwarming interview, we learn how his father's perspective underwent a dramatic shift. He recognized that esports was not merely a hobby but a legitimate avenue for growth, self-improvement, and even professional success. He witnessed the teamwork, discipline, and perseverance required to excel in the competitive gaming world, values that he had once doubted were present in this emerging field.

Parent Eureka Moments -> Watch an excerpt of Bonesaw's Story

In recent years, the gaming world has witnessed a remarkable surge in the participation and influence of girl gamers. Breaking through societal barriers and shattering stereotypes, these trailblazing women have taken on the role of mentors and coaches, inspiring and nurturing the next generation of gamers.

With their extraordinary achievements and unwavering passion, girl gamers have become powerful role models, showcasing the immense talent and potential that exists within the gaming community.

By challenging the notion that gaming is a male-dominated domain, these women have shattered preconceived notions and created a more inclusive and diverse landscape.

Girl Gamers Got Game -> Watch an excerpt from women in gaming