SMITE has 4 million players; is hosting a $600,000 World Championship 

Since the release of SMITE in March, the MOBA has become so popular Hi-Rez Studios’ has had to double the size of studio. Just how popular is it? There are "well over" 4 million players.

The split in the player base sits at 45% in Europe, 40% in North America, 10% in South America and 5% in other regions such as Asia.

Some of these players will also be participating in the SMITE World Championship which will be held January 9-11, 2015, at Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

The starting prize pool for the three-day SMITE World Championship is $600,000. That prize amount should increase significantly prior to the event, based on community contributions and exclusive content sales which will be announced by Hi-Rez in the near future, the developer said in a press release sent out today.

"As SMITE continues to grow, it is quickly becoming a leader in professional competitive gaming,” said the company's COO Todd Harris. “With teams from North America, Asia, Europe and South America, this will be a truly global championship.

"We can’t wait to host the world’s best here in our hometown of Atlanta for this landmark event.”

The SMITE World Championship will feature the top two teams each from North America, Europe and China, which will be joined by the top team from Brazil, and the top team from Spanish-speaking South America.

Live events are being held in both North American and Europe leading up to the World Championship.

Europe

• A $50,000 LAN Event will be held Saturday, July 26 at the ESL Studio in Cologne, Germany, featuring the top four teams to emerge from the 10-week EU SWC On-line Qualifying Series.
• The SMITE European Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 15 -16 at the same venue. This event will feature the top six teams from Europe, with the final two teams continuing on to the World Championship.

North America

• A $50,000 LAN Event will be held Saturday, August 9 at the Kessel D. Stelling Ballroom in Atlanta, within the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Complex, featuring the top four teams from the 10-week NA SWC On-line Qualifying Series.
• The SMITE North American Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 22 -23 in the same venue. This event will feature the top six teams from North America, with the final two teams continuing on to the World Championship.

Qualifying dates and venues for the Latin American and Chinese tracks will be announced at a later date.