Cobie in running for £25k prize
SCHOOLBOY MAKES IT TO GRAND FINAL OF SMASH HIT VIDEO GAME CHALLENGE
A Wearside schoolboy is in the running to win a £25,000 prize after excelling in the regional heats of a video game competition.
Cobie Lee Forth finished joint first in a contest using the popular Fortnite game at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park.
The EStars tournament, open to those aged 12 and over, saw those taking part enter the playing area through a replica battle bus – which is the spawn point in the online game – and battle it out during a pre-booked hour-long slot.
And Kepier Academy pupil Cobie, 14, of Shiney Row, has now made it into the grand final at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge in London on Sunday, March 31, where he will compete against the best players from around the country to win the £25,000 first prize.
Cobie’s mum Kirsty Ellison told the Echo: “I knew he was good at the game because he’s played it since it first came out, but I had no idea he was that good.”
She added: “He went to the morning session of the tournament and won £25 for finishing joint first, then his dad took him back for the evening session and he did the same thing again.
“Because he came joint first in both he was given £250 as well, so it wasn’t bad day’s work.”
Fortnite has taken the gaming world by storm, with millions of players logging on to play every month.
Kirsty, 35, Cobie’s dad Lee, 42, and Cobie’s little sister Miley will all accompany him to the final when he will compete for the grand prize.
“For a an adult to be playing for this kind of money would be amazing, let alone a 14-year-old,” added Kirsty.