PUTRAJAYA: It is free entry for all to the upcoming Malaysia Cybergames 2018 (MCG18).
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak announced this today, stating that the decision was made to alleviate the financial burden of youths to purchase MCG18 tickets.
There will also be a lucky draw with prizes worth RM20,000 for visitors to MCG18 on Sunday (Jan 14).
The MCG18 is scheduled to be held this coming weekend at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) where more than 1,000 are expected to take part in nine popular games – Counter Strike Go, Dota 2, Tekken 7, Injustice 2, Street Fighter 5, Fifa 18, Formula 1 2017, Mobile Legend and Player Unknown Battleground.
The government, he said, had been supportive of efforts to boost the digital gaming industry or eSports.
He said the industry had recorded 16.3 per cent growth rate year after year.
"From marketing and users aspects, the industry has generated revenue worth USD587 million (RM2,342 million) last year with more than 14 million players and 7.8 million are paid customers.
He said, the country's export growth of the gaming industry was robust, from RM262 million in 2014 to RM516 million in 2016.
"Realising its potential, the ministry and its agency MDEC have implemented numerous efforts to develop the industry, especially in building a conducive ecosystem for it.
"Our three key strategies are to attract core companies to the industry's main drivers; to build local capacity and capabilities, as well as to raise global market accessibility via publication platform," Salleh added.
He also said eSports could be a platform to forge strong unity among youths from different backgrounds in Malaysia.