Esports gears up for biggest year with major global events

Players pose for a photo ahead of the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, in this file photo from August 2023.SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The booming esports industry is poised for its biggest year yet, fueled by its recognition as an official discipline at major global sporting events and international tournaments.

Major events are scheduled throughout the year including the quadrennial Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan in September, the annual Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in July and the inaugural Esports Nations Cup, also in Riyadh, in November.

The upcoming Asian Games will be the major highlight, as e-sports returns with 11 events, up from seven, following its official debut at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where South Korea proved itself an e-sports powerhouse by winning four medals including two gold, one silver, and one bronze.

Several Japanese games including "Gran Turismo 7" will be featured to reflect the host country, while Krafton's "Battlegrounds Mobile" has been selected again. But Nexon's "FC Online" will be replaced by Konami's "eFootball."

Meanwhile, the Esports World Cup in the oil-rich country, which drew great attention last year with a total prize money of $70 million, is expected to be even bigger this year, with the number of events expanding to 24.

The Esports Nations Cup, a country-based tournament in which players compete under their national flags, will be held every two years, with the inaugural event taking place in Riyadh.
Seon Jae-kwan 기자 seon@economidaily.com