What you need to know about the games we're playing at SoDak Circuit

SoDak Circuit isn’t playing it safe when it comes to its inaugural esports event Sept. 21 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

From iconic Nintendo Switch party games for gamers of all ages to popular shooters and a custom racing simulator, SoDak Circuit has something for everyone.

SoDak Circuit, which is powered by SDN Communications and its 17 owner companies, will have six games available to play: “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” and “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” on the Nintendo Switch, “Valorant” on PC, “Rocket League” on Xbox One and “Fortnite” on multiple platforms. Participants can also play a custom racing simulator where they drive one of SDN or Alliance Communications' install vehicles.

Cash prizes will be awarded in all games and age groups.

Pre-register to sign up for one of the games and find more details about the event at sodakcircuit.com. Note that registrants can play “Fortnite” and the racing simulator and one of the other four games.

Here is what you need to know about all six titles:

Fortnite

The battle royale genre surged into prominence in July 2017 with the launch of “Fortnite,” quickly amassing 30 million active players by December of that year. Today, “Fortnite” boasts an estimated 230 million active users, with daily concurrent player numbers ranging from 900,000 to 3 million, underscoring its unparalleled popularity and enduring influence within the esports ecosystem. Even if you haven’t played the game, you’ve seen a lot of Fortnite-inspired dances and emotes when NFL players celebrate a touchdown.

In “Fortnite,” 100 players dive into battles on a shrinking map. Jumping from the airborne Battle Bus onto diverse landscapes, players scramble to snag weapons to use against their online opponents. The ultimate goal? Survival!

SoDak Circuit rules: The “Fortnite” tournament will be played in no-build mode – meaning those who rely on building bunkers will need to find a new strategy. The player with the highest cumulative score wins at the end of the day. Scores will be determined based on finishing position and number of eliminations. Each participant will be granted three rounds to play. There is no time limit — the round will end when the player is either eliminated or claims a Victory Royale as the last person standing. “Fortnite’s” ESRB rating is T for Teen, so the tournament is open for players 13 and older. Competitors will be playing in an online match filled with players from across the world.

Prizes: $250 for first, $150 for second and $75 for third.

Rocket League

This game is the ultimate matchup of cars playing soccer. It hit platforms in July of 2015, and there are more than 90 million players signing in monthly. Players compete solo or in groups of two to three in different game modes online to climb competitive rankings.

Each match is a whirlwind of five-minute rounds, where rocket-powered vehicles unleash chaos as players strive to smash the ball into their opponents' goal.

SoDak Circuit rules: “Rocket League” will be played with 12 teams of three and will feature a loser’s bracket. In the first round, gamers will play one match of five minutes with overtime if needed. In the second round, teams will play best-of-3, and in the finals, best-of-5. Registration is open for people ages 13 and above.

Prizes: $750 for the team that finishes first, $450 for second and $225 for third.

Valorant

“Valorant” debuted in June 2020 and swiftly gained traction in the gaming community. About 2 million players log on to “Valorant” daily, participating either solo or in parties of two, three or five. The game has an an active player base of 19 million.

"Valorant" unfolds as a lively tactical shooter where a diverse cast of characters — known as agents — brings their unique abilities and strategies to the battle. This game mode sets attackers against defenders, armed with an array of sidearms and other weapons. Attackers aim to plant the “spike" — a bomb-like device — or eliminate foes for the win, while defenders counter with swift eliminations or by defusing or not allowing the spike to be planted. Each lightning-fast round lasts just 1:40 minutes, with victory coming to the first team to rack up 13 wins. "Valorant" amps up the strategy with a buy phase before each round, letting players snap up gear and weaponry to gain a crucial edge over rivals.

SoDak Circuit rules: Matches will have a limit of 55 minutes and the bracket is single elimination. Because of the game's ESRB rating, the competition is open to people aged 13 and over.

Prizes: $750 for the team that finishes first, $450 for second and $225 for third.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Crashing into the gaming scene in 2017, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" wasted no time rising to the top. It has sold 60 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling game in the history of the Nintendo Switch.

Strap yourself in because it’s going to be a wild ride. "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" is all about that adrenaline rush, and you experience it when you’re dodging banana peels and turtle shells from your opponents. There’s multiple power ups and strategically timed boosts to rocket past those who left you in the banana frenzy. There are classic tracks that appeared in previous versions of Mario Kart games, like Rainbow Road and Moo Moo Meadows. But new and improved tracks have arrived too, such as Mount Wario and Twisted Mansion. Each one of these tracks brings a unique challenge to the game with memorable features.

SoDak Circuit rules: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be split up into two different age divisions at SoDak Circuit. Junior division features players ages 12 and under and the adult division is ages 13 and up. Both divisions are single elimination. The junior division has a 64-player limit and the adult division has a 128-player limit. The maps that will be chosen are at random and all vehicles and throwables will be available. The winner of each race will move on in the bracket and cups will be chosen and announced at the tournament start. There will be one cup per bracket level.

Prizes: For the adult division (13+), $250 for first place, $150 for second, $75 for third. For the junior division (12 and younger), Nintendo Switch for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A year after "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," smashed records, “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” joined the battle and has since sold 34 million copies on the Nintendo Switch.

Smash Bros. brings iconic characters from the Nintendo world and beyond, including Mario, Sonic, Pikachu, Pac-Man, among dozens of others. Players duke it out in a fast-paced battle across a variety of stages using character-specific special moves and items to knock opponents off the stage.

SoDak Circuit rules: "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" will be laid out into two divisions — one junior and one adult. The junior league will be for ages 10-13, while the adult’s division is ages 13 and over. The adult division will feature 64 players and the junior division 32. Both brackets are double-elimination. Players can pick from all available characters and there are no items available to use. Each match is slated for three stocks (rounds), and the winner is the first to win two stocks.

Prizes: For the adult division (13+), $350 for first place, $250 for second, $100 for third. For the junior division (ages 10-12), Nintendo Switch for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.

Driving simulator

Looking for something where you are in the driver’s seat? Look no further, but don’t lose your bumper and make sure to watch out for the tight corners of these tracks. Competitors will go head-to-head racing in our custom cockpits with vehicles designed to look and drive identically to SDN Communications and Alliance Communications' installation trucks. Take the wheel and hold on tight to win a spot on the podium for the best time.

There will be an adult category — 13 years old and up and a junior category featuring those under the age of 13.

SoDak Circuit’s racing simulator runs in BeamNG. Each player will have the opportunity to race three times. The goal is to finish the race in the shortest time possible, without exploding your vehicle on the way. The winner is the one who finishes in the fastest time.

Prizes: To be announced.

Note: Pre-registration is not required for this event.