Perfect World break the mold with Minor invites for Newbee, LFY and Team Secret

The Perfect World Masters won't have the same two direct invites as (almost) every other event so far. They've still got Newbee but Team Liquid are notably absent, making room for two new invites.

Despite coming 3rd at The International 2017, this is

LGD.Forever Young's first Minor invite of the season. In past years, placing that well would have meant more direct invites to events, but events in past years also had more spots reserved for direct invites. This year, most events have just two direct invites and in many cases they've been filled with the TI7 Grand Finalists.

Perfect World are actually the first event this season to announce more than two invites. They've also expanded their number of qualifier teams to seven by having a second LAN slot open through the Chinese qualifier. They're also the longest event, with seven days set aside while most events are just four days long.

Team Secret might not be the first team that pops into your head when you think of the best teams in EU, but both Liquid and OG aren't directly invited or listed in the EU Regional Qualifier meaning it's very likely they turned down the event. Similarly, EG aren't listed on the NA Qualifier either.

Perfect World have also revealed the team lists for their Closed Qualifiers. They are as follows:

Europe

4 protect five*
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier

China

PSG.LGD

EHOME
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier

North America

Is GG*

Team Blue Pikachu
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier

CIS

M19

Double Dimension*
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier

South America

Infamous

SG e-sports

Digital Chaos*

Midas Club Victory *
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier

Southeast Asia

Mineski

Fnatic

TNC Predator

Execration

WarriorsGaming.Unity

Clutch Gamers
Open Qualifier
Open Qualifier

4 protect five are listed in the EU qualifier but, the team disbanded just a few days ago, so another team will need to be found to replace them.

Chinese regional qualifiers will run Sept 27-30, but dates for the other regions have not been announced yet. The main event group stage will take place Nov 19-20 followed by the playoffs from Nov 22-26.