Nationwide Tournament Highlights Efforts to Boost Representation in Gaming

PR Newswire In their ongoing efforts to champion diversity in the world of gaming, MTN DEW® brings back the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge in 2023. Their primary objective is to augment representation in esports and gaming, particularly focusing on student gamers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). MTN DEW® takes an initiative of sponsoring a nationwide tournament featuring Mortal Kombat 1, an installment of the well-regarded Mortal Kombat videogame franchise developed by NetherRealm Studios. Contestants will vie for a share of a total prize pool of $500,000, with the additional benefits of coaching and exposure to esports professionals.

JP Bittencourt, VP of Marketing, MTN DEW®, reflects on the positive reception of the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge in the previous year, and highlights the significance of the partnership with the Mortal Kombat franchise.

In 2023, MTN DEW® continues its collaboration with Cxmmunity Media, an organization that strives to promote diversity and equity in gaming and also the creators of the HBCU Esports League. The Real Change Challenge will evolve this year into a nationwide HBCU Mortal Kombat 1 tournament, with registration open to all current HBCU students from now until September 8th.

“Cxmmunity Media is enthusiastic about furthering our mission in conjunction with MTN DEW®,” states Ryan Johnson, CEO of Cxmmunity Media. “Our focus is on access and representation, crucial factors in drawing diverse talent to the gaming industry and retaining it. We are keen on expanding our partnerships with brands like MTN DEW® to pave the way for more gamers of color to participate in the booming gaming industry.”

MTN DEW® is celebrating the launch of this year’s Real Change Challenge by partnering with RDCWorld, a collective of entertainers. They are introducing the Real Change Challenge to RDCWorld’s annual Gaming and Anime convention, Dream Con, which is scheduled from July 28th to July 30th in Austin, TX. Dream Con will see 20,000 attendees joining MTN DEW® and RDCWorld in commemorating the return of the Real Change Challenge.

Johnathan Newton, Chief Operating Officer of Dream Con, expresses RDCWorld’s excitement about partnering with MTN DEW® to support the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge. He sheds light on how gaming has greatly influenced their lives, and the lack of representation in the gaming industry.

The 2023 MTN DEW Real Change Challenge is designed as a 64-player 1v1 bracket-style tournament with four rounds of double-elimination gameplay. This leads to the final 12 facing each other in a Live Championship in Atlanta on October 28th. The champion not only gets to brag but also walks away with the first-place prize of $45,000.

To involve fans in the tournament journey, MTN DEW® and the HBCU Esports League will broadcast all tournament matches, featuring the participating HBCU gamers and their progression to the Real Change Challenge Championship. All gaming enthusiasts can tune in to Cxmmunity Media’s Twitch Channel starting October 2nd to watch the tournament live.

“MTN DEW Is Continuing Its Support of Diverse Gamers with the Return of the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge Esports Tournament,” last accessed on July 26, 2023,

For more information on the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge and details on how to enter, follow @MTNDEWGaming on Instagram and Twitter, and @MTNDEW_Gaming on Tik Tok, or check out mountaindew.com/real-change.