Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Arena of Valor were also included but sixth and final game is still under evaluation
Photo by Sean Do/Unsplash
The Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) and global lifestyle brand for gamers Razer have announced that the following five games have been considered for the inaugural esports tournament at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 2019).
- On the PC: Dota2 and StarCraft II
- On smartphones (e.g. Razer Phone 2): Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Arena of Valor
- On gaming consoles (e.g. Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox): Tekken 7
The sixth and final console game is undergoing evaluation and will be shortlisted in the coming weeks. The final medal count will include two medal events for PC games, two medal events for mobile games, and two medal events for console games. The games are gender inclusive and will be open to teams of both men and women to participate.
Upon confirmation, all six games will be featured as competition events at SEA Games 2019, where esports will be contested as a medal event for the first time in sporting history alongside traditional sports.
“In the three weeks since we announced esports as a medal event at SEA Games 2019, we’ve seen a phenomenal level of interest from all segments of the industry, most of all game publishers. The shortlisting of six games in such a short time is evidence that the notion of esports as a legitimate sporting event is no longer a fad,” says Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan.
A key selection criterion for the shortlisted games is the diversity of titles. A range of publishers, genres, and gaming platforms were evaluated for inclusion to make sure the most popular and competitive games are represented. The strategy and teamwork demanded by the games were also considered, ensuring that teams deploy multifaceted tactics to clinch victory. Lastly, the shortlisted games take into account the physical and mental intensity needed to persevere through marathon matches.
Abraham Tolentino, Director for Sports of Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee, says “The Sports Department of PHISGOC has long been keen on including sports that will appeal to the young, tech-savvy spectators, including esports.”
The 2019 SEA Games is scheduled next year from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11
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