Asia
Esports Integrated (ESI) Launches the Inaugural Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21)
The Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS), YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican announced the launch of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21). As part of KBS’s National Esports Blueprint and through Esports Integrated (ESI), the inaugural state and national level esports league will be held from 10 July till 10 September 2021 featuring a prize pool of RM200,000. MEL21 aims to provide a sustainable platform for grassroot players of all levels (amateurs, semi-professional and professional) to compete and showcase their talents via a national esports league. The leagues will be conducted fully online, in accordance with the SOP set under the National Recovery Plan – Phase 1.
MEL21 is organised by ESI, an initiative under the purview of KBS, in collaboration with 16 state esports associations. MEL21 will be held in two stages: State Leagues and Nationals, and will feature four very popular game titles amongst local esports enthusiasts: PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBGM), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), EA Sports FIFA21 and Dota 2.
“The organisation and execution of MEL21 under the ESI initiative is part of KBS’s main strategic focus under the National Esports Blueprint and allocated under 2021’s budget. This is to develop an exciting, sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for all esports enthusiasts.” said YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the Minister of Youth and Sports.
“Many tournaments held in Malaysia are catered towards professional players, whilst amateur and semi-professional players are only able to compete in smaller tournaments – which is the gap that MEL21 aims to fill in. By organising the first national level esports league, the development of players can be further expanded and their talents highlighted to the masses.” said CEO of ESI, Ahmed Faris Amir.
“We’re excited to be able to co-organise MEL21 with the support of all 16 state esports associations, a partnership that is aimed to last for many editions to come. The support of game publishers such as Moonton and Tencent Games are also indicative of the industry’s interest towards the development and participation of grassroot level talents.”
MEL21’s first stage, the State Leagues, will be held from 31st May to 30th June 2021 and will be conducted simultaneously across 13 States and 3 Federal Territories. Qualification round will be held in a knockout best of three format before the finalists compete in a round-robin format during the League Proper round. Winners of each category will bag RM2,000 and will represent their state in the second stage, Nationals, happening from 5th July to 30th July 2021. The National League will be using a round-robin format held within three weeks, and teams or players with the highest points will win RM20,000 cash prize and be crowned as the National Champion.
Asia
AMD Announces GameOn 2024: Nationwide Counter-Strike 2 Tournament Offers ₹300,000 Prize, Culminates in Hyderabad
AMD, a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, has unveiled the AMD GameOn 2024, an open-for-all esports tournament for Counter-Strike 2 with a total prize pool of INR 300,000. The Main Event of the AMD GameOne 2024 is set to take place at IndiaJoy 2024 Asia’s premier media and entertainment congregation, in the HICC, Novotel, Hyderabad on Nov. 16 and 17.
Commenting on the tournament, Pramit Khanna, Channel Marketing Manager DIY and Gaming, AMD India said, “As one of the leaders in the computing space, we have been supporting India’s esports ecosystem since day 1, and the AMD GameOn 2024 is another such IP for esports enthusiasts. The open-for-all format ensures every gamer has a chance to compete in the pan-India tournament and make it to the LAN in Hyderabad. I wish the best of luck to all participants and can’t wait to welcome the four finalists in Hyderabad.”
The AMD GameOn 2024 began with the open qualifiers, where the registered teams competed for slots to the Closed Qualifiers. The Closed Qualifier, with 8 total teams, has wrapped up, confirming the four finalists for the AMD GameOn 2024 Main Event at IndiaJoy 2024 on Nov. 16 and 17 in Hyderabad. Skyesports is set to be the esports partner for the event.
The four teams are listed below. They will compete in a single-elimination bracket to determine the champions of India. Matches from the AMD GameOn 2024 Main Event will be livestreamed on the Skyesports YouTube channel.
-
True Rippers
-
Carnival Gaming
-
Gods Reign
-
Victores Sumus
Besides the esports action at the AMD booth in the IndiaJoy 2024, players will also be able to experience gaming on AMD Advantage systems, which deliver a supreme and optimized performance by combining AMD Ryzen™ CPUs, AMD Radeon™ GPUs, smart technologies, and AMD software. Therefore, AMD’s experiential zone at the IndiaJoy 2024 will be the one-stop immersive place for gamers, combining esports action and providing a hands-on gaming experience.
Shiva Nandy, the Founder and CEO of Skyesports, said, “We are thrilled to be the esports partner for AMD GameOn 2024, working once again with our anchor brand, AMD. With open qualifiers to give every gamer a chance and invited teams to ensure top-notch esports action, this tournament is a delight for all gamers. AMD has been one of the biggest supporters of esports in India over the years, and this tournament aligns with our vision of bringing Counter-Strike 2 into the spotlight ahead of Skyesports’ $1.7 million prize pool roadmap for 2025, where we will host four on-ground events across the country.”
India currently has about 500 million gamers, a number expected to grow to 730 million by 2028, with a 5-year CAGR of 10 percent, making the country the largest market by the number of gamers. Additionally, 65 percent of gamers either watch esports or compete in tournaments, per Niko Partners, with IPs like the AMD GameOn at the forefront of attracting their attention.
Asia
DreamHack x Hyderabad Comic Con 2024 Day 2: Wagh Suyog crowned champion of Rapid Chess tournament; Karan Kanchan steals the show with electrifying DJ set
The second day of DreamHack 2024 x Hyderabad Comic Con, India’s largest celebration of gaming and pop culture, delivered thrilling esports action, landmark achievements, and unforgettable moments as fans turned out in large numbers at the Hitex Exhibition Centre.
Hosted by NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports this year marks the fifth anniversary of India’s biggest gaming festival. DreamHack’s legendary BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Zone reached an unprecedented milestone, with tickets selling out for the first time ever. Gamers from across the country brought their own setups to compete and compete in titles including eFootball, THE FINALS, World Cricket Championship 3 (WCC 3), Brawlhalla, Counter-Strike 2, Spectre Divide, and many more, making the zone a hub of energy and camaraderie throughout the day.
After intense semi-final matches, Team LFO, Team Cheems, Team Payback, and AMIGOS Esports qualified for the grand finals of the OMEN VALORANT Campus Quest Season 2. Each team demonstrated exceptional strategy and team play, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Meanwhile, Wagh Suyog showcased remarkable talent and focus,`outmaneuvering a field of skilled competitors to win the Rapid Chess tournament and take home the INR 3 Lakh prize pool championship. His/her victory was celebrated with roaring applause, highlighting the growing appeal of chess as part of DreamHack’s diverse lineup.
In other esports action, GodLike Esports, Vibrance Esports, XLR8, and Anthem showcased their dominance on Day 2 of the Snapdragon Pro Series (Call of Duty: Mobile), while Aditya ‘The Dark Lord’ Verma emerged victorious in the Street Fighter 6 segment of KO Fight Night.
Much to the attendees’ delight KO Fight Night delivered electrifying matches in Tekken 8 and Super Mario Bros Ultimate. Players also turned out in large numbers to participate in the Retro and Board Games tournaments, adding to the vibrant gaming atmosphere.
Following suit to the electric atmosphere of DreamHack, the second day of Hyderabad Comic Con was a vibrant celebration of creativity, fandom, and entertainment. Fans were enthralled by special sessions from Maruti Suzuki Arena, Crunchyroll, and Yamaha Racing, each offering unique insights and experiences for attendees.
Attendees were also treated to comic book debuts, including The Warrior God and Abba Aari (the sequel to Mard Bann), alongside the cover launch of Weapons of Mass Extinction: Stage 1 – Blood of The Last Asuran.
On the other hand, music enthusiasts danced to an electrifying DJ set by Karan Kanchan, while rising comedy star Ravi Gupta (a.k.a. Shudh Desi Comic) had audiences in splits with his witty, desi humour.
The Meet & Greet Zone today featured 8Bit Creatives’ popular gaming personalities, such as Raj Varma (Snax), Payal Dhare (Payal Gaming), Parv Singh (Regaltos), Salman Ahmad (8bit Mamba), Monika Jeph (Sherlock Live), Nishant Williams (Willy Gamingg), Mithul Nayak (Binks), Dhwani Bhatt (Pinkcess), and Dhruv Sangwan (Dhruv), who connected with fans through their stories, popular slangs and gaming insights.
Just like yesterday, the Hyderabad Comic Con Cosplay Contest stole the show, with hundreds of cosplayers competing for a prize pool exceeding INR 5 Lakhs, including a daily grand cash prize of INR 50,000. The city’s best cosplayers battled it out to represent Hyderabad at the Indian Championship of Cosplay 2025 Qualifiers, aiming for a daily reward of INR 1.25 Lakhs.
Day 3 of DreamHack 2024 x Hyderabad Comic Con is set to be a spectacular finale, packed with more comic book launches, special sessions, and engaging fireside chats. As the event reaches its climax, SPS, OMEN Campus Quest Season 2, PAN FEST, KO Fight Night, Blitz Chess tournament, and the BYOD and retro tournaments will all wrap up with their much-anticipated grand finals.
Two critically acclaimed stand-up comedy stars, Syed Bashaar, and Harsh Gujral, will bring the laughs, while Geek Fruit will take everyone on a nostalgic journey with iconic theme songs.
For further updates and information regarding DreamHack x Hyderabad Comic Con 2024, follow NODWIN Gaming & DreamHack India on social media. Get your tickets now to experience the best of both worlds and experience the excitement of DreamHack India 2024 x Hyderabad Comic Con firsthand!
Asia
Mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong ready for China’s 15th National Games
Joint events were held in Guangdong, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR on November 9 to mark the one-year countdown to China’s 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD), and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG).
Scheduled to take place from November 9 to 21, 2025, the 15th NG will be hosted across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG following from December 8 to 15, 2025.
The three regions are united in their commitment to delivering a “green, inclusive, open, and clean” event, while ensuring it is “simple, safe, and spectacular”. Collaborative efforts are well underway, with preparations progressing actively and prudently.
On the same day, the official theme slogans, emblems, and mascots of the events were unveiled. The slogan for the 15th NG is “Passionate National Games, Vibrant Greater Bay Area”, and that for the following games encourages those participants to pursue dreams in the Greater Bay Area and embark on a brighter journey.
According to the organizing committee of the 15th NG, both slogans are deeply aligned with the strategic positioning of the Greater Bay Area. They embody the Olympic values, Chinese cultural values, and China’s sporting spirit. Beyond that, the slogans reflect the pulse of the times, emphasize local identity, and highlight the features of sports, while striking an emotional chord and fostering a sense of unity.
The mascots for these sporting events are inspired by the Chinese white dolphin, a national first-class protected wild animal. These two adorable creatures, named Xiyangyang and Lerongrong, symbolize joy, harmony, and unity.
Designed around the theme of “prosperity and inclusiveness”, the emblem draws inspiration from the moment of fireworks bursting. The visually striking creation features three intertwining petals that rotate to form a harmonious pattern. Drawing on the distinct shapes and hues of flowers, the designers have carefully arranged the petals in a spiral that converges at the center. This symbolizes the harmonious integration and boundless vitality of the Greater Bay Area. It also represents the region’s deep connection with the motherland and its expanding global influence.
-
Asia6 days ago
Hong Kong Construction Titan Turned Macau Casino Boss Lui Che-Woo Dies Aged 95
-
Africa7 days ago
SunBet Extends Online Betting Platform Contract with Bede Gaming Amid Record-Breaking Performance
-
Africa7 days ago
Booming Games Partners with Hollywoodbets to Launch Immersive Slots Games in South Africa
-
Australia7 days ago
Vanguard Overwatch is Hardening Gaming Venues Against Financial Crime and Working Towards Minimising Gambling Harm
-
eSports7 days ago
Intel commits to developing young talent in universities from the UK and Ireland through UNIVERSITY Esports
-
Industry News7 days ago
BC.GAME Launches Exclusive Airdrop for Polymarket Users, Rewarding Participation in U.S. Election Prediction Markets
-
Asia6 days ago
Making Indian Presence Felt: Natural8 India gears up to take a contingent of nine winners of its latest India Exclusive to Asian Poker Tour (APT) Phu Quoc!
-
Asia7 days ago
Key milestone achieved as GiG enters Asia via agreement with Filipino land-based casino group