Jonathan Muller had a dilemma. The Portageville native wanted to compete in video game tournaments, but he couldn’t find any to join.
So, he decided to start his own.
“This is very grassroots and starting out fresh,” Muller said. “We want to be that stepping stone to where we’re not only hosting tournaments, but we’re leading those players to learn about major events nationwide.”
He founded Bootheel esports this spring with the intention of creating the type of competitive gaming scene he had been looking for.
Muller has lived in Cape Girardeau for the last four years, but he previously called St. Louis home. He worked at a Microsoft store and organized Halo tournaments, and it remains his favorite gaming franchise.
He said the community will decide which games Bootheel esports tournaments focus on. Initial pop-up events will feature the Halo franchise, as well as the Call of Duty, Madden and Smash Bros. series. Later tournaments will expand from console gaming to PC gaming.
“The idea is as we go from pop-up events to structured leagues. We want to have … minor events in smaller towns, such a Portageville, Hayti, Kennett, Poplar Bluff. That’s how we get everybody,” he said.