Japanese developer Cygames has partnered with California-based eSports production company Next Generation Esports (NGE) to run its first eSports tournament in North America for CCG Shadowverse.

The NGE Shadowverse Open will take place over three months, with a series of qualifier tournaments taking place. The winners will then face-off in the final, held at NGE's studio in Burbank, competing for a $10,000 prize.

NGE will broadcast the tournament live via Twitch, as well as releasing edited videos on demand on its YouTube channel. The tournament is only open to players in North America aged over 16.

Bring the excitement

"Following the wild success of Shadowverse's eSports activities in Japan, we felt it was time to bring the excitement to North America," said Yuito Kimura, Shadowverse Producer and Executive Director at Cygames.

"With NGE's rich eSports pedigree we believe they will be the ideal partner to champion our North America rollout."

The partnership is part of Cygames plan to achieve success outside of its home country in 2017. Cygames Executive Director Yuito Kimura told us earlier in March 2017 that "we are continuing to focus on Shadowverse and making sure it becomes a global hit for Cygames."