for one of the world's most popular video games, and the video game publisher's latest venture in the growing esports industry.
Business Insider attended the Call of Duty League's launch event, a three-day spectacle that would test whether Activision's massive esports investment could turn the millions of people who play "Call of Duty" every year into fans of esports and competitive play — or if that $300 million investment, and all that goes into launching a new esports league, would collapse under its own weight.
. All the teams competed in "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare," the latest entry in the best-selling video game franchise. "Call of Duty" has a long history in esports, but Activision's Call of Duty League provides a professional infrastructure for players who previously relied on sponsors and prize money to earn a living. Players in the new league are given a $50,000 minimum salary, housing during the eight-month season, and health benefits.
Here's what it was like at the Call of Duty League's launch event hosted by the Minnesota Rokkr in Minneapolis: