Microsoft and the Electronic Sports League (ESL) have announced a new partnership aimed at integrating esports tournaments directly into Xbox Live, allowing developers to create consistent tournament experiences for players and fans.

The partnership will make it easier for developers to optimize their games for major tournaments, specifically by using integrations provided by ESL.

“The tournament experience on ESL platforms looks to see a significant increase thanks to our partnership with Microsoft,” Arne Peters, VP of strategic relations and ESL technology, said in a statement.

“ESL platform integration is a big step forward in establishing competitive gaming and esports. We are very happy to be working with Microsoft on projects such and these and are excited to see them embrace the significance of esports and its phenomenal growth.”

While many of the biggest esports franchises, including League of Legends and Dota 2, are PC exclusive, there are a number of professional tournaments for console titles, and Microsoft’s partnership with ESL could make it easier for that scene to grow and perhaps rival PC esports in the future.

In a press release, ESL said that the first round of Xbox One games to support the new integrations are “already in the making,” but it did not provide information on what those titles might be.

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