The Singtel Group is launching a multi-title regional eSports league across the Asia-Pacific region to help grow its gaming and digital content business.
To be held in Singapore from 5 to 7 October, the PVP eSports Championship will provide content and build on initiatives by Globe in the Philippines, Telkomsel in Indonesia and Singtel in Singapore which are actively promoting eSports in their countries. The Group, also working with Optus and associates Airtel and AIS, will leverage its combined mobile customer base of over 600 million across the region.
“Telcos have every right, and the assets, to play in the growing gaming ecosystem and we want to engage the largely millennial consumers across our regional footprint,” said Arthur Lang, CEO, Singtel’s International Group.
“Mobile-based games, in particular, have gained a strong following in this region where the mobile phone is the main gaming device of choice. With the Group’s robust broadband and mobile networks as well as reach across Southeast Asia, India and Australia with over 600 million subscribers, we are excited to build a vibrant eSports ecosystem that will provide gamers and fans access to original and exciting content. We look forward to take gaming to the next level with our partners.”
The action PVP eSports Championship will be captured and provided on Singtel Group’s platforms across the Asia Pacific.
Teams will compete at local qualifiers organised by the Singtel Group in Australia, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. Winning teams from each country will then move on to battle invited professional teams from North America, Europe and China at the PVP eSports Championship to be held in Singapore in October. The competition, provided in partnership with industry players Razer, Blizzard, Garena and the Mineski Group through MET, will offer a prize pool of US$300,000.
The Asia Pacific is providing the world’s fastest growing eSports audience, with numbers expected to climb to about 290 million by 2021 from 167 million in 2017, according to a report by Newzoo this year.
Competitive video gaming is to be included as a demonstration sport in this August’s Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta and is also being considered as a potential medal event in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.