Asia
HTC unveiled the world’s first VR motorsport eSports competition in cooperation with the Formula 1 (F1) team McLaren
HTC Further Enriches Its Thriving Ecosystem with Cutting-edge Entertainment Content at ChinaJoy 2018
HTC Partners with McLaren to Debut the World’s First VR Motorsport eSports Competition in China, while the Vive Focus New System Update Delivers Features for Both Consumers and Enterprises
SHANGHAI, Aug. 3, 2018 – HTC Corporation (“HTC”), a pioneer in innovative, smart mobile and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies, today unveiled the qualifier of the “McLaren Shadow Project” in China, the world’s first VR motorsport eSports competition in cooperation with the Formula 1 (F1) team McLaren, as well as a wide range of exciting new content at ChinaJoy 2018. HTC also provided onsite demo experiences of over 20 thrilling content titles to the 300,000-plus fans at this year’s ChinaJoy, the largest digital entertainment industry event in Asia.
The “McLaren Shadow Project” is a virtual racing programme in which participants compete in a racing game that shadows the real F1 team, using the Vive Pro headset. The competition will be time trial-based, and the fastest player from ChinaJoy 2018 will win a place in the finals, to take place in January 2019 at the McLaren Technology Centre UK. The programme’s champion will win a seat in McLaren’s new eSports team, an opportunity to join the McLaren eSports development programme and a unique motorsport experience.
“VR/AR(XR) technologies will fundamentally change the game, not only in the entertainment industry but across all facets of life, while the Vive Focus system update released today massively increases the amount of content accessible for the device elevating its value for users to a new level,” said Alvin Wang Graylin, China President, HTC. “Already, the dramatic impact of XR on the gaming industry is transformational, which is clearly demonstrated by the new class of immersive content we are showing at ChinaJoy! As a category, eSports is being redefined by immersive technologies, and this cooperation between HTC Vive and McLaren to hold the world’s first official VR motorsport eSport event this week is bringing the worlds of virtual and physical sports closer together than ever.”
At the HTC booth at ChinaJoy 2018, visitors can experience a number of premier VR content that has yet to be released. Now being demoed on both the Vive Focus and the Vive Pro, these offerings range from seated single player games to large space multi-player experiences:
- The world-famous video game developer and publisher Ubisoft is bringing its multi-player VR game Space Junkies to the Vive Pro, where players fly through space to face off in extreme battles.
- The multi-player arcade shooting game Invaders will be available exclusively through Viveport Arcade. After August 6, offline consumers can experience the game in arcades; it will also be available in Viveland, the world’s first VR theme park run by HTC Vive.
- Netease announced its online multi-player VR game, Nostos, to initially launch on Viveport in 2019. Set in an open world, the game employs physical simulation technology and a freedom of movement system to offer an unprecedented experience.
- ModalVR, co-founded by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, debuted its Infinity Racer multi-user Vive Focus Location Based Entertainment (LBE) title on the HTC main stage for the first time ever in Asia.
- Salary Man Escape, presented together with Oasis Games, is a VR puzzle game, in which players leverage their knowledge to help a disgruntled salaryman escape his life. It will be available on Viveport on August 28.
- Wonderglade, the latest game for the Vive Focus, teleports users to a mystical theme park where they can enjoy six mini-games in a 6-DoF experience that can only be realized on the device.
- Flashing Beat, a VR music game developed by Chesstar and released by Vive Studios, was also launched during ChinaJoy 2018. The newly released bundle includes an exclusive song and a physical cardboard guitar accessory that allows users to insert their phone to fully immerse themselves in the joy of music. The bundle will be available for purchase through Vive Focus’s Viveport starting from the August 10th .
On the first day of ChinaJoy 2018, the third major system update for Vive Focus this year was announced, with several sought-after features. The new update supports “Theater Mode”, allowing screen projection from any Miracast-enabled devices, including major Android phones and PC/laptops. This means that native mobile and PC apps can now be displayed on a giant screen through the Vive Focus. Enhanced support for RiftCat’s VRidge simulator also allows PC VR content to be more easily streamed to the Vive Focus through standard 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, without any additional accessories. Breaking the constraints of multiple screens, these solutions give users access to millions of existing smartphone, tablet and PC content that can now be experienced on large virtual screens, thus greatly reducing the content obstacles hindering VR adoption.
The newly released Vive Focus system update also includes features regularly requested by enterprise customers, including Kiosk Mode, Gaze Support and Batch Installation. Under Kiosk Mode, custom applications can be configured to launch automatically, ensuring that users only interact with the designated content. Gaze Support enables direct user interactions, enabling user cases that don’t require controller pairing. Enterprise users can also install corporate-own content and update kiosk settings through a simple microSD card. These updates allow enterprises to easily deploy their solutions and manage content as well as platforms, improving overall efficiency and saving on management and human resource costs with a more seamless operation.
SOURCE HTC
CONTACT: Silvia Ye, PR Manager, HTC/Vive China, +86 15200181526, [email protected]; Simin Shi, PR Manager, HTC/Vive China, +86 13001066249, [email protected]
Asia
Team ATK Oshun excels at 2024 Online Championships held on 13 April 2024
Mind Sports South Africa’s (MSSA) 2024 Online Championships held on 13 April 2024 showed sterling results.
The championship was yet another chance for many esports athletes to qualify for MSSA’s National Team Trials to be held on 25 May 2024 at which the team will be selected to officially represent South Africa at the African Qualifiers which lead up to IESF’s 16th World Esports Championships to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October and November 2024..
All Registered Players who have finished in the top three places, or the top 20% – whichever is greater, are entitled to enter trials.
However, it must be remembered that all players must have a valid passport to participate in the National Team Trials.
It was indeed exciting to watch just how much all the female teams have improved.
Team ATK Oshun (ATK Club Sport) being a female team astounded all with their skill and sportsmanship. The team demolished all ATK Club Sport opposition to ultimately won the premier event overall and qualify for the National Team trials to be held on 25 May 2025.
IESF’s 15th World Championships will be played to the following titles:
- Counter-Strike 2
- Counter-Strike 2 – Female division
- DotA 2
- eFootball
- Mobile Legends, Bang Bang
- Mobile Legends, Bang Bang – Female division
- PUBGM
The high standard of play saw 37 Registered Players from six provinces being awarded Provincial Colours. Only Limpopo, Free State, and Northern Cape did not have Registered Players who did not earn provincial colours.
Title | Name of player/team | Club | Provincial Colours awarded |
Clash Royale – Premier | Johan Coetzee | Middies | Mpumalanga |
Clash Royale – High School | Aryan Maharaj | PR0NHS | |
Counter Strike: 2 | ATK Oshun | ||
Kaylee Ludick | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Jessica Eleez Greeff | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Christin Brazier | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Megan van der Westhuizen | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Kayhla Rose Calder | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
DotA – Premier | ZAG DOTA 1 | ||
Suhail Khan | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
Travis John Waters | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Mark Kilian Lehle | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
Mohammad Dhooma | ZAG Academy | Eastern Cape | |
Nicholas Dammert | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
eFootball – Premier | Aslam Parker | PES Society | Gauteng |
FIFA 24 – High School | Daiyaan Hendricks | PES Society | Western Cape |
Mobile Legends – Premier
|
Mavericks | ||
Matthew Tatalias | Mavericks | Gauteng | |
Damian Bransby | Mavericks | Western Cape | |
Preshan Pillay | Mavericks | Gauteng | |
Mohammad Azhar Ansari | Mavericks | KwaZulu Natal | |
Taygan Gabriel | Mavericks | KwaZulu Natal | |
Luke Green | Mavericks | Western Cape | |
Mobile Legends – Premier – Female
|
AHG | ||
Je’nielle Cavanagh | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Inez Pringle | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Salma Parker | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Ra’isha Prout | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Fatimah Prout | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Mia Anthony | PES Society | Western Cape | |
PUBGM
|
Team uEnvy | ||
Richard Henry | ZAG Academy | Eastern Cape | |
La-eeq Arendse | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Kyle Dudley | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Clayton Leak | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Rocket League – Premier – 1 v 1 – Premier | Nathan Strange | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | |
Rocket League – Premier – 1 v 1 – High School | Luther Peens | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | |
Street Fightter V – Premier | Marnus van der Merwe | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | North West |
Tekken 8 | Stasch Cloeta | Team PlayBell | Western Cape |
Valorant – Premier
|
TuksValorant | ||
Tapiwanashe Keith Matema | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Kyle Halvorsen | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Jaden Connor Swarts | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Ronald James Tyler Wheeldon | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Alejandro Luca Sartini-Kruger | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Armand Pierre van der Colf | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Sportsmanship Award | Je’nielle Cavanagh | PES Society |
Asia
PAGCor Welcomes Lawyer Wilma Eisma as New President and Chief Operating Officer
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCor) today welcomed its new President and Chief Operating Officer, lawyer Wilma Eisma, who took her oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in Malacanang this morning.
“We are happy to welcome Atty. Wilma Eisma as PAGCor’s new President and Chief Operating Officer,” PAGCor Chairman Alejandro Tengco said. “We know she will be a great asset and her vast experience in both the government and private sectors will surely be put to good use here.”
Tengco said he witnessed Eisma’s oath-taking in Malacanang this morning. She then immediately joined her first PAGCor board meeting in the afternoon as the agency’s first ever woman President and Chief Operating Officer.
A lawyer by profession, Eisma earned her law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines before joining the state gaming firm.
Prior to that, she also served as the first woman Administrator and Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
Her private sector stints include leadership roles in PMFTC Incorporated, the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International.
She also held key positions at the Department of Trade and Industry where she worked at the Office of the Secretary and in the Office of the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, among others.
Eisma succeeded Atty Juanito Sanosa Jr who resigned as PAGCor President and Chief Operating Officer last January.
Asia
Maharashtra Government rewards state’s Asian Games 2022 Esports athletes with INR 10 lakhs; marks historic moment for Indian Esports
In a groundbreaking move, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services of the Government of Maharashtra has rewarded a significant amount of INR 10 lakhs to each Esports athlete of the state who represented India in the Asian Games 2022, held in Hangzhou. This marks a historic moment for Indian Esports, as it is the first time any state has included Esports alongside mainstream sports in prize money rewards for its state players in a major tournament. The recipients of this monetary reward include Darshan Bata, captain of the DOTA 2 team, along with his teammates Krish Gupta, Ketan Goyal, and Shubham Goli, as well as League of Legends athlete Samarth Trivedi.
Expressing his gratitude, Darshan Bata, the captain of the DOTA 2 team who hails from Mumbai, said, “I would like to express my sincere thanks to ESFI and the Maharashtra government for honoring us and recognizing and supporting Esports.”
Esports made its debut as a full-fledged medal event at the Asian Games 2022, where a total of 476 athletes from 30 different countries competed for gold medals across seven titles. India participated in four of these titles, including DOTA 2, EA Sports FC Online, League of Legends, and Street Fighter V: Champion Edition.
“It has been a great experience at Asian games, I am grateful for the support I received from the Maharashtra government and I really appreciate the efforts ESFI has contributed to our journey,” stated Ketan Goyal of Pune who was a part of the DOTA 2 team at the Asian Games 2022.
The talented Indian contingent for the Asian Games was sent by Esports Federation of India (ESFI), who had organized open for all nationwide online qualifiers to select the best and most deserving athletes to compete for the nation at the tournament.
“Really happy to see that Esports is getting recognized and we are being aided by the government. Thank you for the support to Maharashtra Government and a big shoutout to ESFI for giving us this opportunity to represent India in the Asian games,” highlighted Krish Gupta of Pune, a member of the Indian DOTA 2 team.
The League of Legends team, in particular, achieved a historic fifth-place finish at the 19th Asian Games after competing against top-tier teams from around the continent.
“I am really grateful to the Maharashtra government for providing us with the financial support. It is amazing to see Esports being recognized by the Government. A huge shoutout to ESFI for giving us the opportunity and platform to compete at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou,” commented Samarth Trivedi of Thane who played a pivotal part in the country’s performance in League of Legends at the tournament.
Prior to the 19th Asian Games, India had also secured a remarkable bronze medal at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in DOTA 2, showcasing the country’s prowess in video gaming on the international stage.
“Thank you ESFI and team for all you support throughout Asian games 2022. We are really blessed and honored by Maharashtra Government for supporting Esports players and considering Esports in events like Commonwealth and Asian Games,” noted Shubham Goli, a resident of Pune who represented India at both the Commonwealth Esports Championships as well as the Asian Games 2022 in DOTA 2. The latest FICCI-EY report titled ‘#Reinvent: India’s media & entertainment sector is innovating for the future, India is expected to have 20 international teams by 2024.
The Maharashtra government’s recognition and support of Esports signals a significant milestone in the journey towards mainstream acceptance of competitive gaming as a legitimate sport in the country.
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