GOOD news to all computer gaming enthusiasts.
Plans are afoot to make computer gaming like DOTA, Crossfire and League of Legends to become a regular sport, with the creation of the Philippine E-sports Association.
“We made this organization to create an environment, where millions of Filipino kids, who are hooked with computer gaming, to have a controlled environment and transform this ‘menace’ into a source of pride for our country,” said Arniel Gutierrez, president of the PEA.
Parents are up in arms against computer gaming, citing their children’s lack of interest in school due to addiction to these PC games.
“If we can make guidelines that can be followed by all accredited computer stations throughout the country, things would be better and the players would be more responsible in their actions,” added Gutierrez, who cited that e-sports athletes are recognized in the US as professional players.
International e-sport tournaments are held regularly in China, Korea and Malaysia, where the Ministry of the Youth and Sports hosts a local DOTA Tournament.
Gutierrez added that in other countries, e-sport athletes are given scholarships.
For a start, the PEA is holding the Open Season tournaments that started in March and will end in July. Dubbed as “TNC eSports Cup 2017,” the nine-month event will feature four games—DOTA 2, League of Legends, Crossfire and Dragon Nest.
The Playoffs among the Top 16 teams will be held from August to October and the Grand Finale among the Top 8 is set in November at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. It’s going to be the first major computer gaming tournament to be held in the country, with the winners going to the World Cup.
Aside from trophies, the tourney offers prize money for the players that will shine in various variants in real-time strategy, fighting, first-person shooter, and multi-player online battle arena.