LETTERS: E-SPORTS (electronic sports) has rapidly developed worldwide over the past two decades.
Among the most popular multiplayer online battle arena games are League of Legends (LoL) and Dota 2.
Data shows that LoL stands out as the most popular game, boasting millions of players worldwide since its release in 2009. The annual championship of the game, known as the League of Legends World Championship, consistently achieves record-breaking viewership numbers, establishing itself as the premier event in the esports industry. Additionally, there are popular mobile games, such as Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile.
In 2019, the global outbreak of Covid-19 significantly impacted the development of e-sports, particularly in the mobile gaming category such as PUBG and Mobile Legends.
Following this, e-sports gained even more prominence as numerous major tournaments were organised with substantial prize pools, reaching millions at a global level.
E-sports tournaments have attracted more viewers, both online and offline, compared with traditional sports. Furthermore, e-sports have seen a significant increase in investment.
Many companies, including tech giants and sports organisations, have recognised the potential of e-sports and are investing substantial resources into its development.
This surge in funding has contributed to the professionalisation and expansion of the industry.
Another factor is the easy accessibility and inclusivity of e-sports. Anyone can enjoy e-sports on a computer or mobile device, making it widely accessible. This factor has also led to the widespread growth of the esports community. The current attraction is the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC), a cornerstone event in the mobile e-sports calendar that featured an enthralling league stage held in Kuala Lumpur.
This served as a precursor to the grand finale, setting the stage for an epic showdown. The championship boasted a staggering overall prize pool of more than US$3 million, with US$1.58 million awarded during the league stage, setting the competitive spirit ablaze as teams fought tooth and nail for their share of the prize money.
The PMGC culminated in a grand finale held in Istanbul, Turkiye, with US$1.42 million in prize money.
Another attraction is the Mobile Legends M5 World Championship in Manila, the Philippines, where elite teams from various regions converged in an electrifying display of skill and strategy. This edition of the M5 World Championship featured an impressive prize pool exceeding US$900,000.
Both championships symbolised the evolution and ascendance of mobile e-sports while underscoring the immense global appeal and viewership of these games.
MUHAMMAD IMRAN JUSOH
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times