Bangkok--2 Apr--DC Consultants
Playinter and Garena underscore their leadership in E-Sport with the launch of Thailand’s first major E-Sport tournament at the Garena Star League 2013. Gamers will compete by playing two of the world’s renowned online games — Hero of Newerth and Point Blank on March 30 — 31, 2013 at Hall 103, BITEC Bangna. Gamers from nine countries: Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Russia, USA, Europe, China and Thailand are competing to win the accumulated of 2.5 million baht in rewards, the highest in the history of Thailand’s E-sport.
Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, said that the Thai game industry has been growing rapidly. Online games are very popular among youngsters. This has led to developments in the games business and games competitions under the name E-sport, which has become a serious sport where they have clear rules. It focuses on youth development and intellectual skills, planning, training, discipline, and sportsmanship. This is to be a norm for gamers. Online games will play an important role in the economy of Thailand, including the development of software that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of users. Game development is ongoing to accommodate new players too.
“We have encouraged players to play the games creatively and safely for their health. There are cash prizes for game competitors, including scholarship.
“On behalf of the ICT Ministry, I believe that the Garena Star League 2013 will be the impetus for the development of E-Sport Games in Thailand. And to move on to the global stage in the future. We ask for cooperation from all stakeholders and encourage young people in Thailand to play games with discipline, harmony and sportsmanship. So that they can develop skills and increase potential to play game properly and can compete with global gamers,” said Minister of ICT.
Mr Sakolkorn Srakawee, Chief Executive Officer of Playinter and Garena, the organisers of Garena Star League 2013, said that E-Sport or Electronic Sports is a console-based video game competition that has been widely accepted. “The new sport is becoming popular throughout the world. It first started in the Arcade game period where the game finished off with a score and players rankings. This has resulted in the competition, rules, interaction and the players’ goals. That’s when the E-Sport was born. The competitions were held with the prizes for the winners.”
“The popularity of E-Sport Games in Thailand is increasing. It is because there is no age limit. The games use the ability of the brain, mostly. There are many games that are used for competitions such as MMORPG / FPS / MOBA / Casual, Music Game and so on. Each year there are many competitions. Prizes for the winners will be big or small, depending on the organisers. If it is a major event, prizes will be worth hundreds of thousands baht. So it is not surprising that there is now a growing number of E-Sport Games. This has led to gamers forming their own groups of E Sport teams to seriously compete as if they are professionals.
“As the organisers, we hope to get cooperation from all agencies involved to help push the E-Sport to be more popular. We want to help gamers to have the potential to represent Thailand in the E-Sport in the future. We ask parents to understand that video game do not have only bad influences but also contribute to strengthen the mind and imagination of the children. It can help them dare to think and dream and do the right thing creatively,” Sakolkorn concluded.
There are many interesting activities at the Garena Star League 2013. That begins with a special sexy show by Allure Sexy Star, a mini concert by Small Room, Candy Mafia & Evo nine and Chin Chinnawut. That will be followed by a special competition between singers and participants, and the highlight activity is the Garena Star League 2013 tournament where professional gamers of both games compete on stage all day.
There are over 500 computer sets installed at the event to allow gamers, both amateurs and professionals, to compete throughout the two-day event. There are also products selling at special prices which include IT accessories, sports items and many more. There will be many games promotions and many activities for participants to join to win prizes also held too.