August 1st 2024.
In a recent interview, Esports World Cup CEO Ralf Reichert and G2 CEO Alban Dechelotte sat down with GameCentral to discuss the growing importance of major tournaments in the world of esports. With the recent announcement of the first ever Esports World Cup, boasting competitions across 21 different video games and a massive £49 million prize pool, there is a clear push to bring esports back to its peak after the impact of the Covid pandemic.
However, the upcoming Olympic Esports Games in 2025, to be held in Saudi Arabia, will not include some of the more popular titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty due to their "visible violence". This is where the Esports World Cup sets itself apart, as it includes all types of games and communities, regardless of their content. As Ralf Reichert puts it, their goal is to "leapfrog the industry" and create a unifying purpose for the world of esports.
Dechelotte, who is also on the advisory board for the Olympic Esports Games, sees both events as important in reaching a wider audience. He believes that the Esports World Cup will provide an opportunity for viewers to experience a variety of games and discover new ones, while also showcasing the best players and teams in the world. This mainstream visibility will also open the doors for new fans to join the esports community.
One of the reasons why the Esports World Cup has been able to attract top players and teams is its impressive £49 million prize pool. This was made possible through partnerships with companies like Saudi Telecom, Qiddiya, Jameel Motorsport, Sony, and PepsiCo. And with the event being held in Riyadh, it also provides a platform for smaller games to shine and encourages game publishers to invest in community building and innovation.
Looking towards the future, Reichert envisions the Esports World Cup as an annual event, showcasing the best players and teams competing for life-changing prizes across the most popular games. While he didn't reveal any details about future editions, he remains committed to keeping the event in Riyadh and continuing to push the boundaries of esports.
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