The grand finale of the inaugural Esports World Cup takes place right now in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The worldwide competitors has seen 1,500 world-class avid gamers take to the stage for the final eight weeks.
Often, esports competitions – the place avid gamers play video video games competitively – would deal with one recreation. This event has held competitions in 21 totally different video games like Counter-Strike, Rocket League and Tekken8.
The competitors had a record-breaking prize pool of $60m (£43.5m) to be break up between the totally different winners. It was designed to be an attention-grabbing quantity, in accordance with the World Cup organisers.
“$60m makes this related. Each mum or dad on the planet will take a look at it and say, ‘Okay, then I get it’,” mentioned Ralf Reichert, chief govt of the Esports World Cup to Sky Information.
He additionally identified esports is a worldwide sport, and for opponents from poorer nations, profitable $200,000 might be “life-changing”.
The scenes as Staff Falcon received the World Cup. Pic: Esports World Cup Basis
Native Saudi membership Staff Falcon received the event every week in the past as a result of they acquired so many factors, now the groups battle it out for second and third place.
56 UK gamers have competed in Riyadh, and 7 UK golf equipment – the Apex Racing Staff, Fnatic Guild Esports, Man Metropolis Esports, Tundra Esports, Williams Esports and Wolves Esports.
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However holding the competitors in Saudi Arabia sparked controversy due to the dominion’s human rights file.
“[The Esports World Cup] acquired a really blended reception solely due to the place it’s,” mentioned skilled gamer and trans lady Emma Rose.
“If it had been anyplace else on the planet, it will have been heralded as one of many largest occasions to ever come to esports and gaming.”
Ladies compete within the Cellular Legends: Bang Bang girls’s invitational. Pic: Esports World Cup Basis
In addition to solely internet hosting one girls’s recreation regardless of round half of avid gamers being girls, the video games had been additionally criticised due to Saudi’s stance on LGBT+ rights.
One in 5 avid gamers is considered LGBT+, in accordance with a brand new survey by advocacy group GLAAD and polling firm Nielsen.
Staff Liquid wore their pleasure jerseys all through the event. Pic: Esports World Cup
Some gamers selected to boycott the video games totally whereas others wore pleasure jerseys on stage.
Ms Rose determined to not boycott the video games, saying it was essential voices like hers and different LGBT+ allies had been heard.
“If everybody pulls out, nothing’s going to alter and I am not going to cover my voice. I’ll actively speak about it and get entangled.”
The competitors organisers informed Sky Information everybody attending the World Cup was handled properly, no matter their sexuality. The Saudi Arabian embassy didn’t reply to a request for remark.
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For the groups who did resolve to participate, it was a possibility to indicate the remainder of the world what esports is basically about.
A G2 fan exhibits his assist within the area. Pic: Esports World Cup Basis
Alban Dechelotte runs a crew referred to as G2, who he describes as “the Actual Madrid of esports” as a result of “we win loads”.
“Esports have existed for about 20 years and regardless of the fervour, regardless of the expansion, regardless of the numbers, we’re nonetheless requested by mainstream audiences, ‘Are you actually watching different folks play video video games?’,” he mentioned.
“I can solely hope that these occasions just like the Esports World Cup will [help] an viewers that does not care concerning the recreation, does not perceive the competitors, to simply get .”
