eSports
Will German eSports be recognized as a sport?
From now on, German eSports will be supported by a national association. Can eSports become an actual sport in Germany? Violent games are still causing trouble in that regard.
Germany’s gaming culture was quick to embrace competitive eSports. Many important clubs were actually founded on German soil. Historic organizations such as SK Gaming, Alternate aTTaX or the Electronic Sports League (ESL) have transformed international eSports into this enormous industry that now attracts millions of viewers and sponsors such as Audi or Adidas. With all these important steps, however, one has constantly been omitted. Now, 20 of the biggest German organizations have caught up:
Last month, the eSports-Bund Deutschland (ESBD, or “eSports Association of Germany”) was founded in the city of Frankfurt. The implications are huge, since virtually all the major German teams are aligning themselves with the new association. The responsibilities of the ESBD are numerous, Vice President Niklas Timmermann explains: “Potential examples would be creating models to govern how to set up registered clubs, professional teams, player contracts and so forth, or serving as an arbiter in disputes or when harmonizing sets of rules,” Timmermann says. “Beyond that, probably the most important thing is that this field gets a voice that can politically represent players and teams alike.”
The Mysterious Monkeys, one of Germany’s top teams, is now part of an eSports federation
Players, teams no longer fending for themselves
The Mysterious Monkeys are one of the teams that have joined forces with the ESBD. The club is being represented by the company ad hoc gaming GmbH and its CEO, Ben Hamana. With the ESBD, he sees a chance to carry eSports right into the center of society. “It is crucial now to organize, to create professional structures and to act in unity. For too long every team had to look after itself on its own, now we can do this with one voice thanks to the association.“
But how, exactly? Hamana explains that officers of the ESBD meet up in a committee to discuss important matters. There, a representative of the teams and players relays their questions and works with them closely on all issues. However, it’s the job of the teams to come together: “The professional teams communicate in various groups about various relevant topics and the essence of this gets brought to the [ESBD] committee.“
For a competitive industry that cannot rely on a long history of joint structures and unified rules, this comes as a refreshing and important step. It ensures that the voices of players and teams alike can be heard. “The association acts for its members and not for any other group or even for its own economic gain,” Hamana asserts.
Even Angela Merkel made her way to the Cologne games expo ‘Gamescom’ this August
A lobby group, even at the Olympic level
But it’s not just the individual matters of the teams that are on the agenda, the ESBD will also promote German eSports on a political level. As a result of the ESBD’s founding, an eSports representative has taking part in a meeting of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) for the first time ever. “The founding of this association is an important and satisfactory step, because now we have a body to turn to discuss this exciting topic,” DOSB President Alfons Hörmann said at last month’s meeting.
eSports hoping for favorable tax status
The prospects of eSports being formally recognized as a “sport” in Germany — with all the legal and tax benefits that can bring — now appear increasingly realistic.
ESBD Vice President Timmermann is optimistic and stresses how important this is for electronic competition: “We want to secure ‘sports’ status for eSports and thereby enable players to access the benefits that come along with it, like public funding, assistance with their travel, and so on. We will work towards this, and hopefully succeed.”
The German government has also sent positive signals this year. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s appearance at Gamescom in August showed that the topic had finally hit German politicians’ radars. However, violent games in particular can cause a lot of trouble in this dialogue, as a recent statement from the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, has shown: “We want to promote non-discrimination, non-violence, and peace among people. This doesn’t match with video games, which are about violence, explosions and killing. And there we have to draw a clear line.“
An inclusion of non-violent games has not been ruled out however, and considering that the Asian Games will include eSports as a part of their 2022 competition, it’s at least conceivable that eSports might be incorporated into the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
So can eSports become a sport in Germany? The scene knows how important a resolution to this question is for both teams and players, although there seems to be no concrete answer in sight. However, the ESBD’s foundation lays the groundwork for more political talks on the matter.
eSports
WEC24: PUBG MOBILE Tournament Concludes with Outstanding Success
The PUBG MOBILE tournament at WEC24 has officially wrapped up, delivering three days of competition that exceeded all expectations. With 10 out of 16 teams securing Chicken Dinners throughout the tournament, every map brought its own excitement, with the final rounds determining the champions and medal placements. We saw impressive viewership numbers with 776,454 unique viewers achieving 89,675 hours watched throughout the three days of competition.
On the competitive front, the Indonesian team set a WEC24 record by securing a Chicken Dinner with an astonishing 18 eliminations, packing a remarkable 28-point round.
Turkey stepped up to claim the title of WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions, delivering a fierce, precise performance and seizing the trophy in the final maps, a true champions’ style victory.
Congratulations are also due to Ukraine, who came very close to securing the gold. Consistent and determined to win, they kept fans and their nation on edge until the final rounds, ultimately securing the silver medal. Brazil took home the bronze, showcasing exceptional talent and positioning themselves as strong contenders for future titles.
Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF, praised the athletes, the tournament’s success, and the ongoing collaboration with Tencent: “The PUBG MOBILE tournaments have been one of the highlights of WEC for years now, and our ongoing collaboration and support from Tencent has played a huge role in its success. Congratulations to the medalists and to all athletes participating for their remarkable WEC24 performance.”
Micah Li, Senior Esports Manager at Tencent, “Congratulations to Turkey on becoming the WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions. We greatly value our partnership with IESF and the success we have achieved together over the years. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and delivering many more exceptional PUBG MOBILE tournaments in the future.”
With the PUBG MOBILE tournament concluded, IESF looks forward to further PUBG MOBILE competitions, as national teams from around the world improve year by year.
eSports
Mortal cements his name as face of Indian gaming, wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at global Esports Awards 2024
Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, has added another feather to his illustrious cap by winning the coveted ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the Global Esports Awards 2024 Part 2 in Los Angeles on Friday. The grand ceremony saw Mortal triumph over globally renowned gamers like Tarik Celik, Ibai Llanos Garatea, and Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont, solidifying his stature as India’s biggest gamer.
Mortal’s groundbreaking victory marks a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but also for the Indian gaming community at large. The 27-year-old’s illustrious gaming career boasts numerous accolades, including championship titles in BMPS Season 1 (2022) and the PUBG Mobile Club Open (2019) as an esports athlete. He has amassed over 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 5.3 million followers on Instagram through his distinctive and impactful content, making him one of India’s most influential gaming personalities.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Naman Mathur aka Mortal, Co-founder, S8UL Esports, stated, “Winning this award is an incredible moment of pride, not just for me but for the entire Indian gaming and esports community. My journey began with a simple passion for gaming, and seeing that passion resonate with millions of people is truly humbling. I hope this achievement inspires more young gamers to chase their dreams and believe that they too can earn global recognition through dedication and hard work. I am deeply grateful to S8UL for being the backbone of my journey. This success is not mine alone- it belongs to every fan, every teammate, and every supporter who believed in me and in the potential of Indian esports.”
This was Mortal’s sixth consecutive nomination at the prestigious awards, a feat achieved by no other Indian gamer. Having been nominated for various categories over the years such as ‘Esports Mobile Player of the Year’, ‘Streamer of the Year’ and ‘Esports Personality of the Year’, Mortal’s victory in this edition is a testament to his immense contribution to growing the esports and gaming content ecosystem in India.
“This award holds a deeply personal meaning for me. Watching Mortal achieve this recognition feels like a shared victory- one that takes me back to where it all began. From the late nights to the sacrifices, every moment has led us here. Together, we’re not just creating history; we’re shaping the future of gaming and esports globally. A victory for him, a milestone for Indian esports!” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
The Esports Awards is the most prestigious night in esports, dedicated to showcasing top-tier performance and innovation from players, teams, media, hardware providers, games, events, and personalities within the scene.
“When we first started this journey, we had no idea how far it would take us, but we always knew we were in this together. Mortal has always been like a brother to me, and seeing him win this award feels like a personal achievement. For him to be honoured with this accolade today is a reflection of the countless hours, effort and heart we’ve poured into building who we are and what we stand for,” commented Lokesh ‘Goldy’ Jain, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
Mortal’s achievement reaffirms India’s rise as a formidable force in the global esports and gaming content landscape.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
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