Another Gamescom rolled around in Cologne and this year, with the ESL One Major being moved out to it’s own location and date, the Intel Extreme Masters has flourished into an experimental and exciting format getting fans involved in the tournament!

The rules are quite unlike any other Counter Strike: Global Offensive tournament, with the teams getting much more involved in who they attempt to get knocked out. With each team having four lives for the whole tournament, each game counts as every time a game is lost, a life is lost along with it.

But to add to this, the winning team from the previous game chooses who plays the next game (with no back to back games where possible). If this set up wasn’t already interactive enough, the map votes are made by the community. Once a map has been played that day, it will not be played again.

The maps are decided by the community vote!

This interesting format type has lead to some comical and never before seen circumstances, including temporary alliances, fierce rivalries and the possibility for a little moonlight coaching by players. (We saw you behind SK, Karrigan)

The tournament is still going on so it’s not too late to experience the creativity yourself, it will go until there is only one remaining team, the last men standing. The stream can be viewed without ever leaving our site here!