Bermudian gamers will test their mettle later this month at e-sports tournaments in Hamilton.

Adrian Lodge, of Bermuda Island Games, said the two events will be the first of the Bermuda E-sports League, which could help gamers represent Bermuda internationally.

He said: “We have already been talking with the Caribbean E-sports League.

“There are various countries that are already competing at the moment.

“This is something that could promote Bermuda internationally and help create a game industry in Bermuda.”

The events, to be held on August 23 and 24, will focus on two of the most popular competitive online games — the fighting game, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and Fortnite, the third-person shooter.

The first event, organised with the grassroots gaming group BDA Smash, will run from 7pm to 10pm.

An event spokesman said the “After Dark” tournament will be geared towards older players with all participants over the age of 17.

An all-day Fortnite tournament will be held the next day with the first heat to begin at 9am.

Both events will be held at ConnecTech’s offices in the fourth floor of Sofia House on Church Street with high-speed internet donated by One Communications.

The spokesman added: “We are looking to provide a safe space for both competitive players and video-game enthusiasts to come together and be a part of the community.

“We had chosen these two games as the main titles but are open to doing any video game tournament in the future that the players want to participate in.”

Along with prizes for the tournament victors, participants will be eligible for several giveaways. Mr Lodge said it was hard to say how many people would take part, but that he hoped for a high turnout.

He said: “I know there’s a lot of interest from the BDA Smash for the Smash Bros tournament.

“In terms of Fortnite, there has been a lot of buzz going around on Instagram and Facebook, so we are going to be prepared for a big turnout.”

E-sport competitions have become popular internationally and more than 279,000 people watched the final match of the EVO 2019 Smash Bros tournament through a live online broadcast earlier this month.

Mr Lodge added: “These events help create a sense of community.

“There aren’t many events for people who like games.

“Usually its just small private groups. This is something that we hope will bring people together.”

He said that players should bring their own headsets and controllers.

• Anyone interested in competing can register at www.bdaesportsleague.com