COPYRIGHT © 2014 International e-Sports Federation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
NEWS BOARD Headline News
The most wanted Global e-Sports Festival is being held in the Sacred Place of e-sports - LOL World Championship Season 2014 is coming to Korea. By Jay Shin
It is within bounds to say that 2014 is the year of “Sports events”. Starting with
● ‘LOL World Championship’ as public sports event
Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Brazil Football World Cup is appointed on June, and
‘LOL World Championship’ is certainly a remarkable global e-sports festival.
Incheon Asian Games is being held on September. It is certainly the year which
‘LOL World Championship’ Final held on October last year was watched by 32
makes all sports fans enthusiastic. Addition to this, League of Legends World
million viewers. Even as compared to past events, it is up to 4 times of stats. Also,
Championship (LOL World Championship) which is leading the 2nd Golden Age of
Program Delivery Rating recorded 8.5 million. With this global attention, the
e-sports is being held in Korea and attracting the attention of global e-sports fans.
status and publicity of the players are getting higher. Currently, United States government announced that LOL professional players will be issued with P-1A VISA which used to be provided only to athletes and artists recognized globally.
‘LOL World Championship’ is also a big issue in Korea. During the finals last year, top 10 popular search words on major portal in Korea were dominated by LOL related words. As answering such attention, performance of Korean players has been rapidly grown. CJ ENTUS PROST won the runner up in 2012, and SK TELECOM T1 K won the champion last year. As the event is attracting people’s attention, attention toward the players is increasing as well as fan club is being created. At the Fan Sign Meeting held during 2013 e-Sports Festival in Korea, hundreds of fans were crowded.
Mr. Byung hun Jun, the president of International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) and Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) announced at the media day in Seoul Korea, “I am happy to announce that 2014 Season of LOL World Championship is being held in Korea. Korea will once again step up as the center of global e-sports, and we will put our best effort to make it as the best event in the history.”
● Global e-Sports Festival in the Sacred Place of e-Sports Last November, it was enough to excite Korean e-sports fans as KeSPA (Korea eSports Association) and Riot Games announced that ‘LOL World Championship’, e-sports event with the title of ‘League of Legends’ which is one of the most preferred game in the world, will be held in Korea. Also, it is certainly significant to all global e-sports fans that the most wanted e-sports festival is being held in Korea, which is no doubt to be called as “the Sacred Place of e-Sports”. Riot Games has been searching for a host country candidate as considering a place where LOL league is being stably operated, then, finally announced Korea as the host country for the 2014 season. Korea is the leading country of e-sports where esports event had been held for the first time in 90’s. Also, it is the cradle of the Game TV Channel and the new occupation, professional e-sports player. Also, in 2004, it was hot issue that more than 100,000 crowd gathered in Busan to watch one single e-sports event.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
2
IeSF News Inside IeSF
Official Announcement for Game Titles of 6th e-Sports World Championship - International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) has finalized the official game titles of 6th e-Sports World Championship 2014 By Alex Lim / Editor at International e-Sports Federation
W e, International e-Sports Federation, hereby pleasurably announce the official titles for
6th
Female Competition
e-Sports World Championship 2014. The process of
screening e-sports titles was based on the polling figures that members of
Name of the Title
TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2
Publisher
NAMCO BANDAI
Method of Match
Individual Match
Name of the Title
STARCRAFT® II
Publisher
BLIZZARD
Method of Match
Individual Match
IeSF recommend. Grounded on the figures, IeSF has arranged most wellreceived games in order, and has discussed with game publishers of the relevant game titles. After negotiating with them about terms and condition, final decision for titles has just been made. In accordance with the process,
1
most beloved game titles by worldwide fans have been selected as the official titles of 6th e-Sports Championship 2014. Just as last year’s World Championship, there will be two separate divisions for male and female, in order to follow the standard of international sports society and to promote and develop the female sector within e-sports field. Thus, we hereby disclose the official game titles for male and female tournaments as follows:
Male Competition Name of the Title
DOTA 2
Publisher
VALVE
Method of Match
Team Match (5 vs 5)
2
1
The “Rules of Tournament” and “Match Rules” for each official title will be announced shortly and sent to each member national associations via group e-mail. Name of the Title
STARCRAFT® II
There is still possibility remaining that IeSF may accept 2- 3 additional game titles with the recommendation of the host city as respecting the host
Publisher
BLIZZARD
city’s rights. If there is any update, IeSF Secretariat will disclose them as soon as the necessary conditions with the additional titles are finalized.
Method of Match 2
Individual Match Also, there will be several more announcements regarding 6th e-Sports World Championship 2014, such as Entry Regulations, Media Regulations, and Operation Plans. So, Please stay tuned for additional announcements, and please note for the crucial items to prepare your future national qualifiers, registration of players through Entry System and actual participation.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
3
IeSF News Inside IeSF
Official Announcement for Host City of 6th e-Sports World Championship - International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) has finally selected and announces the Host City of 6th e-Sports World Championship 2014 By Alex Lim / Editor at International e-Sports Federation
A s IeSF has been organizing the 6th e-Sports World Championship 2014, we have finally designated the host city. Thus, we would like to share the information with all of our members. So, we hereby pleasurably announce that the 6th e-Sports World Championship 2014 will be held at “Baku, Azerbaijan”, and the official name of the event will be titled as “6th eSports World Championship BAKU 2014”.
▶ About Azerbaijan As looking into the industrial and Economical Facts, Economy of Azerbaijan is driven by oil and gas resources and supplemented by tourism and agriculture sectors. The most remarkable fact is that Azerbaijan has achieved 2nd highest GDP growth in the world between 2000 and 2010. The Population of Azerbaijan is approximately 9.2 million, and 2.3 million of population lives in Baku. Since 50% of such population are are under 30 years of age, it must be one of the most suitable place to promote e-sports in the world. Also, as inbound tourism doubled from 2005 to 2011, reaching 2.2 million, it is such a hot spot for our athletes and fans to visit. Azerbaijan, historically, is the most populated region of South Caucasus with rich history, and is one of the most ancient sites of human kind. The nick name of Azerbaijan is “Land of Fire”, as it is First known fireplace and construction in human history dated back 500,000 to 700,000 years. Baku, as the capital of Azerbaijan, will provide all our participants and visitors direct flights from over 30 cities including Rome, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Dubai, Doha, Beijing. With rapid increase in number of
IeSF successfully hosted its 5th e-Sports World Championship in Bucharest,
accommodations, IeSF and the Organizing Committee is looking for the
Romania as its first attempt to hold such event in other country than Korea.
most suitable accommodation now to provide convenience to our
5th e-Sports World Championship upraised the infrastructure and the value
participants at the most comfortable level. Furthermore, with Excellent and
of e-sports scene in Romania, and drove the attention of global fans toward
easily accessible tourism spot and good coverage of local transportation, it
Romania as the hot place of e-sports. With such positive impact and
will provide the most memorable moment for the visitors.
appraisal, there has been significant attention and intention from several nations to host e-Sports World Championship.
The most important fact is that 1st European Games 2015 is being held in Baku, and e-sports is subject to be added as an Exhibition Program.
Then, with great support and cooperation of Azerbaijan Cyber Sports Federation (AzKif) and its respectful president, Mr. Ramil Aliyev as well as with the support from Ministry of Youth and Sports in Azerbaijan, the city of Baku expressed its intention to host 6th e-Sports World Championship 2014, and after negotiating on several conditions for smooth operation of the World Championship, IeSF has designated the city of Baku as the host city of 6th e-Sports World Championship 2014. Azerbaijan is the Crossroad of Europe, Asia and Middle East as locasted in between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. IeSF now invites all the world to the Young Nation for Young Population through 6th e-Sports World Championship BAKU 2014. After discussion with the Azerbaijan Government, detailed period and the venue will be disclosed shortly.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
4
IeSF News Inside IeSF
IeSF meets the Leaders of National and International Sports Authorities - Mr. Byung Hun Jun had an official meeting with the President of Sport Accord, Mr. Marius Vizer, and the President of Korea Olympic Committee (KOC), Mr. Jung Haeng Kim to discuss on e-sports to be globally recognized as an official sport discipline. By Alex Lim / Editor at International e-Sports Federation
M r.
Byung Hun Jun, the President of International e-Sports Federation
(IeSF, www.ie-sf.org) and Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA, www.esports.or.kr), just started his steps for the priority mission of the year 2014, “Global recognition for e-Sports as official sports discipline” as meeting the heads of both domestic and international sports authorities. On Last December, Mr. Jun had a meeting with Mr. Jung Haeng Kim, the President of Korea Olympic Committee (KOC) and Mr. Marius Vizer, the President of Sport Accord (former GAISF: General Association of International Sports Federations). KOC is the supervisory body for all official sports disciplines in Korea, and Sport Accord is the umbrella organization of all (Olympic & non-Olympic) international sport federations such as FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), ISU (International Skating Union) and IAAF (International Amateur Athletic
Mr. Vizer expressed astonishment for the number of athletes, visitor and
Federation). Especially, since IeSF is currently applying for the membership
viewers toward e-sports events in the world, and praise, “e-Sports definitely
of Sport Accord, it is expected that this meeting will positively impact on
is the future main force sports discipline for younger generation.” Then, Mr.
the evaluation of IeSF’s Sport Accord Membership Application.
Jun responded, “e-Sports will be the central to create new sports culture, and Korea will raise as the leading country for e-sports just as it was with Taekwondo in the era of Analog.” Specifically, they agreed to cooperate for e-sports to start networking with other sports disciplines as supporting IeSF to open a stand at Sport Accord Convention 2014 being held in Turkey on April 2014. Also, Mr. Vizer added that he will actively support IeSF for its member National Federations to be connected to and recognized by the their national sports authorities in each country, and further to open the window for exchange between IeSF and IJF (International Judo Federation) of which Mr. Vizer is taking role as the president through the cooperation MOU. Mr. Vizer also stated, “The next generation of sports essentially requires the secure of sponsorship based on media and marketing. E-sports already have high potential as well connected to the group of IT and electronic industry.
Last November, in Bucharest Romania, IeSF hosted 2013 e-Sports World
In the near future, there is no reason for doubt that e-sports is globally
Championship; IeSF successfully attracted the attention of international
recognized as official sports discipline.”
sports society as well as Mr. Vizer as adopting female division matches and
Furthermore, as connected to such meeting with Mr. Vizer, Mr. Jun
Doping Test which are required by the international sports society and Sport
arranged a meeting with Mr. Kim, the president of KOC who visited the
Accord. With his kind invitation and interest, in Budapest Hungary where
International Judo Grand Prix, and set forth his strong intention of Korea e-
Mr. Vizer is sited, IeSF Secretariat had a chance to meet Mr. Vizer; there, he
Sports Association’s membership application toward KOC.
expressed his strong intention to meet Mr. Jun. Then, while he was visiting
This was very unprecedented activity to have reception simultaneously with
Jeju Korea for International Judo Grand Prix, he managed to meet Mr. Jun
the domestic and international sports authorities at the same time. It was able
as even postponing his departure schedule. At their first official reception,
to happen with the strong willingness and passion of IeSF to lead e-sports
both of them sympathized with the mission of “Sports-wise of e-sports”, and
into the official sports category. This time, IeSF certainly confirmed the
agreed to actively cooperate with each other to accomplish such mission and
attention and interest of sports society toward e-sports through these
for IeSF to be successfully affiliated to Sport Accord.
meetings.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
5
IeSF News Inside IeSF
IeSF attended to SportAccord Convention 2014 By Jay Shin
I nternational e-Sports Federation (IeSF) participated in the “SportAccord
The SportAccord Convention is the world’s biggest sport convention, where
Convention 2014” in Antalya, Turkey from April 6th to the 10th in 2014.
all international federations, organizers, National Sport Authorities (NOC
The IeSF had an exhibition stand to introduce e-Sports to all Sports
and Ministry of Sport) and sports marketing companies gather in one place.
Governing Bodies from all over the world such as the National Olympic
During the convention IeSF contacted various National Sport Authorities
Committee and International Sport Event Organizers. Unfortunately IeSF’s
and discussed the possibility for National Federations under IeSF to gain
affiliation to SportAccord has been differed to the next SportAccord General
approval. Also, with International Sport Event Organizers, IeSF discussed
Assembly, which will take place in 2015.
methods in which e-Sports can be adopted as a program in Multi Sports Events such as Universiade and the Youth Olympic Games. All attendees of the convention saw a bring future where e-Sports can be a new type of sport which can garner the younger generations’ interest, and can revitalize the current sports scene. Regarding the agenda to approve new membership of SportAccord, 5 International Federations, including IeSF, were brought up at the SportAccord Board Meeting and General Assembly to gain membership. Although IeSF failed to obtain the full membership, which was the initial goal, IeSF membership application has been reserved for next year, as IeSF
The SportAccord Convention is the world’s biggest sport convention, where
fulfilled almost all conditions for the affiliation.
all international federations, organizers, National Sport Authorities (NOC and Ministry of Sport) and sports marketing companies gather in one place. During the convention IeSF contacted various National Sport Authorities and discussed the possibility for National Federations under IeSF to gain approval. Also, with International Sport Event Organizers, IeSF discussed methods in which e-Sports can be adopted as a program in Multi Sports Events such as Universiade and the Youth Olympic Games. All attendees of the convention saw a bring future where e-Sports can be a new type of sport which can garner the younger generations’ interest, and can revitalize the
IeSF, established in 2008, is an International Federation which manages all
current sports scene.
e-Sports activity in sports society. It has attempted get e-Sports recognized as an official sport discipline since its establishment. In 2013, IeSF submitted the application for membership to SportAccord, successfully conceived 46 National Federations and approved as an Official Signatory in World Anti Doping Agency. Mr. Byung Hun Jun, the president of IeSF, said “Through the SportAccord Convention, I felt that our effort for the last 6 years has been going in the right direction. IeSF introduced e-Sports, a new sport trend, to all International Sports Governing Bodies and activated many opportunities to cooperate with them. We truly believe that e-Sports will be admitted as an official sport globally next year, as IeSF will be approved as a full member of SportAccord.”
G&e Vol. 01-2014
6
IeSF News Inside IeSF
IeSF became the official member of TAFISA By Jay Shin
I nternational
e-Sports Federation (IeSF) has been approved as an
Through this membership approval, IeSF obtains the qualification to
international member, representing the e-Sports discipline, by The
supervise the e-Sports discipline at the International Youth & Sport genre in
Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA). Since Mr. Byung Hun
the 2016 TAFISA World Sport for All Games, which will be held in Jakarta,
Jun was elected as the president of IeSF, IeSF has kept in contact with
Indonesia in 2016. TAFISA World Sport for All Games is hosted every 4
various international sport governing bodies. This approval by the TAFISA
years, and e-Sports had been selected as a demonstration program in the 4th
puts IeSF one step closer to achieve their goal, having e-Sports recognized
TAFISA World Sport for All Games held in Busan, Korea in 2008.
by the international governing bodies of sports.
TAFISA is a sports organization network established in France in 1991. TAFISA currently consists of 154 members and 254 sport organizations, working with most international organizations such as UN, WHO, UNESCO and IOC. After IeSF submitted the international membership application in Mar. 2014, the board of TAFISA decided to approve IeSF during 2014 TAFISA Forum in Seoul on 23rd, April.
As IeSF has been approved as an official sport federation by international
Prof. Jang Ju ho, the president of TAFISA said “e-Sports has a great
sports organizations, such as TAFISA and WADA, e-Sports is getting
potential as a new type of Sport for All. Our board members decided to
recognition as an official sport discipline in the global sport society.
approve IeSF, agreeing that IeSF has a full qualification as a partner of TAFISA and can promote e-Sports as an international program for Sport for All. TAFISA will give their full support to e-Sports to be settled as one of the most familiar program through TAFISA World Sport for All Games. Jun Byung Hun, the president of IeSF said, “This approval is from the efforts of all 46 member nations of IeSF. IeSF will continue our efforts to make e-Sports a staple in International Sport Society. IeSF will do the best to construct the relationship with Sport Bodies in order to promote both the International Elite Sports and Sport for All by showing e-Sports in various Multi Sports Events such as the Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games and TAFISA World Sport For All Games.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
7
INTERVIEW e-Sports Key Person Female Professional e-Sports Player to the Very First Female e-Sports Administrator
Interview with Ms. Lim, Soo Ra By Matthew Byun
PROFILE - 2009 Joined MBC GAME HERO Special Force Professional Team - 2009 Special Force Professional League 2nd Place - 2010 ~ 2011 MBC GAME HERO Special Force Professional Team Playing Coach - 2011 ~ 2012 IT BANK Special Force 2 Professional Team Head Coach - 2012 ~ Administrator at Korea e-Sports Association
F or
the G&e volume 01-2014, we have met Ms. Soo Ra Lim who is
currently working at Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) as the e-sports administrator, and former female professional e-sports athlete and head coach of professional e-sports team. She is somehow very precious in this field where guys dominate. Q1: Please introduce yourself briefly. Soo Ra: I am pleased to have a chance to introduce myself to the e-sports fans in the world. My name is Soo Ra Lim. I started my career as a Professional e-Sports player and coaching staff for Special Force. Based on my experience, currently I am in charge of Starcraft II Proleague at Korea eSports Association. Q2. Since when have you been interested in playing games? Soo Ra: I fell in love with playing games since I was a junior high school student. Unlikely my peers, I spent lots of my time in playing various games with one of my best friends although most of girls were not interested in playing games in those days. I tried to play almost all games which were serviced in Korea with Arcade, Console, Online and PC platforms such as Starcraft, Street Fighter and etc.
Q4. With what chance could you join KeSPA as a staff? Soo Ra: I had to finish my career as a coaching staff when the Special Force Professional league was closed. I had to seriously consider whether I should move to other field or should stay in the team. Then, there was a position vacated at Korea e-Sports Association, and I could have a chance to join the KeSPA team as the substitute for such position. At the beginning, it was somehow whole new challenge for me to work as an administrator; on the
Q3. With what opportunity did you join the professional e-sports team?
other hand, I had confidence in my mind that I could afford to it since e-
Soo Ra: When I was 19 years old, I started to play Special Force. More I
sports is what I love and set of all my life experience. Furthermore, I wanted
played the game, I felt like this game was just for me. After I joined in a
and believed that I could take a role as a bridge between KeSPA and the
clan, I started playing Special Force based on researching various strategies
professional teams based on my career in professional team as both player
with my team members. When I became 22, I participated in Special Force
and coaching staff.
competition in Korea for my first time. Unexpectedly, I advanced to the final round, and this experience motivated me to challenge for the Pro-
Q5. What are the Roles and Responsibilities of you within KeSPA?
gamer license. I acquired the license after 2 years of trial as I could get
Soo Ra: I am in charge of overall operation of KeSPA professional league.
chances to participate in lots of female competition for Special Force. It was
For example, I am managing A to Z of the KeSPA Pro League, such as
very precious time in my life for learning leadership that I could advance my
promotion, media care, managing league schedule, general operation at the
career up to the head coach through the experiences of professional player
stadium and etc. More like every single issue related to the professional
and playing coach.
league.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
8
INTERVIEW e-Sports Key Person Q 6. Please provide detailed introduction about KeSPA Pro League.
Q7. What is your Vision with KeSPA?
Soo Ra: Currently KeSPA Pro League is operated with Starcraft II: Heart of
Soo Ra: For past 3 years at KeSPA, I have been looking at teams, e-sports
the Swarm as its official game title. Matches of the league are appointed at
players, broadcasters, media and KeSPA in the third party’s perspective.
18:30 Korean Time (GMT +8) from every Sunday to Tuesday, and held in
Actually, there are far more way to go for e-sports to be perceived as official
Nexon Arena which is newly built e-sports stadium in Gangnam, Seoul
sports, and it is also vague what career e-sports players can pursue after their
Korea. It is being lively broadcasted on the SPOTV 2 and SPOTV Games
retirement as a player. As a former professional e-sports player, I would like
which are well-known sports channels in Korea. For Online, you can watch
to pave the road for the e-sports players as developing linkage between
it at NAVER, YOUTUBE, TWITCH TV and AFRICA TV. Especially on
school and this industry and developing social systematic part of e-sports by
TWITCH TV, you can watch it with English casting.
upraising it to the level of official sports. Also, although male division is reaching at world class, there is no active support for female division. I would like to create leagues where the female players can participate and compete better, and I certainly believe that these efforts will change the negative perception toward e-sports. For my personal goal, I would like to see the Women’s Committee in the IeSF just as other international sports governing body, and would love to take a role to globally promote the e-sports to females equally in the future.
In this league, as most of fans know, total of 8 pro teams, SK TELECOM T1, KT ROLSTER, CJ ENTUS, SAMSUNG GALAXY, JINAIR GREENWINGS, MVP, IM, and PRIME, are competing, and it is operated with round robin method in total of 4 rounds. At each round, we operate play-offs and distribute points; then, best 4 teams in total points advance to the Grand Final Play Off. This season began on December 2013, and will be closed with Grand Final on August 2014. Just as its fame as the best professional league in the world, the Prize money is hugely appointed as whopping about $ 160,000. Currently, the response from the fans toward Pro League is enthusiastic as it recorded more than 100,000 viewers per a match. Especially, English broadcasting through Twitch TV is getting huge
Q8. If you have anything to add, please comment.
attention of global fans.
Soo Ra: I would like to present e-sports, the field with eternal potential and attraction, to the future female talents. As the very first e-sports administrator from a former player, I would like to show wider routine for the future to our juniors. Baseball has settled as the public sports which all family can enjoy. In the perspective of cultural contents industry, I wish e-sports can also settle among the public as the new leisure culture. Also, I would like to show people the brighter and positive factors of e-sports. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the fans of e-sports in the world. I would like to ask for your continuous attention and enthusiasm toward e-sports.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
9
WORLD REPORT Mongolia
1st National e-Sports Championship in Mongolia - Mongoilan e-Sport Association (MeSA), one of the respectful member national federation of International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) representing Mongolia, has successfully organized first Natinal e-Sports Championships after official affiliation of IeSF.
By Tuvshinjargal Erdenebayar / Secretary General of MeSA
Mongolian e-Sport Association (MeSA), Member of International e-Sport Federation, has successfully organized first National e-Sport Championships after official affiliation of IeSF.
MeSA has first time stream broadcasted all round of championships with official commentary in our native language. The final round of championships was live broadcasted on official local TV channel 10. ESport TV and stream broadcasting have given good chance to enjoy with esport during the championships period to gamers, spectators, supporters and The Championships has held in capital Ulaanbaatar city of Mongolia during
fans. Also it will be good contribution to development e-sport in Mongolia.
the period 30 November to 1 December and 8th December of 2013. A preliminary round has organized during 30 November and 1 December and Final around was on 8th December, 2013. The Championships had several biggest features. More than 1000 athletes-gamers have participated in the championships. It was record number of players in Mongolian e-sport history.
Since the Championships, MeSA will create official national e-sport ranking and first ranking will be announced based on championships result. 6 events of game such as CS 1.6, Dota 2, Starcraft, League of Legends, World of Tanks and Tekken Tag tournament 2 were added to official competition program. Aforementioned games are very popular and it has lots of gamers and fans in Mongolia. A National e-sport championship has held with lots of unforgettable memories and sport sensations.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
10
WORLD REPORT Namibia & South Africa
NESA Proudly Announces: DOTA 2 Online Tournament 2014 - After successful hosting of NamLan 2013, “the Lan of the Brave�, Namibian e-Sports Association (NESA) organizes the DOTA 2 Online Tournament 2014 after its successful re-affiliation to IeSF.
By Brian Julius / Vice President of NESA
T he Namibian Electronic Sports Association (NESA) is stirring up a big
Registrations can be done online at www.gamingnamibia.org for this unique
pot of activities for the gaming community in 2014 with various
tournament to start on Friday 28 February 2014. This competition will stretch
tournaments, events and promotional activities lined up. This new year will
up until 30 March 2014 as matches will be played over each weekend.
start off with the DotA2 Online tournament as part of the selection process for the very first Namibian National Team in electronic sports (e-Sports).
Cash prizes worth N$ 5 000.00 will be up for grabs between the 3 top performing teams while all NESA registered players will be evaluated for the national team selection. All NESA related information can be viewed and membership registrations can be done online at www.esportsnamibia.org.
The DotA2 tournament is hosted in association with the Namibia Gaming Community (NGC). More information on the tournament is available online and enquiries can be sent to NESA at info@esportsnamibia.org or to NGC at info@gamingnamibia.org
MWEB Dota 2 On-line Provincial Championships - It was in the annual MSSA's MWEB Dota 2 On-line Championships that the team 'Some Random Slackers' from the Knights Mind Sports Club showed no quarter as they cut their way through one opponent after another showing their true mettle. By Colin Webster / General Secretary of MSSA
T he MWEB Dota 2 On-line Championships were the last chance that the
The team has thus too sailed through to qualify for the Protea
South African gaming community had to qualify for the 2014 Protea Team
Team Trials in which 17 other teams have also qualified to make
Trials.
While many teams had taken advantage of the year long
the 2014 National Team Trials the most hotly contested trials ever.
qualification period, there were a few teams that left qualification for the
It is at such trials that the MSSA shall select the official South
National Team Trials to the very last minute. The Cape Town based team
African National Team that shall play in a number of on-line test
'Some Random Slackers' was just one such team. All five members of the
matches. The results of the MWEB Dota 2 On-line Championships
team are from Cape Town. The team members of 'Some Random Slackers'
are:
are; Ion 'NotioN' Todd, Tim 'Zealot' Mostert, Jason 'Meherim' Bredberg,
Dota 2 Premier
Name of Team
Club
Pts
Dylan 'Pixelpusha' Henderson, and Saleem 'Slimz' Manjoo. Nevertheless,
1
Some Random Slackers
KMSC
8
the team seemed to work well under pressure as they demolished each and
2
TMSC Rekt
Tuks
6
every team that they were drawn against. Such was the skill of the team,
3
TMSC Sabotage
Tuks
4
Dota 2 High School
Name of Team
Club
Pts
all their games and thus also earning themselves Western Cape Provincial
1
MotD'
Woeries
2
Colours at the same time. Only the two teams from Tuks University tried to
2
NWD
PR0NHS
0
under the leadership of Ion 'NotioN' Todd, that the team ended up winning
stop the relentless onslaught, but to no avail. G&e Vol. 01-2014
11
WORLD REPORT Korea
DOTA 2 Now Recognized by KeSPA - Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) has now formally recognized DOTA 2 as one of its official e-sports title in Korea with the announcement of “Korean DOTA League” in the country.
By Jong Sung Kim, General Manager of KeSPA
T he
Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), one of the member national
In addition to that, there will be a bonus for winning in succession for
federation of International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) representing Korea,
the Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams. Teams that top in Tier 1 will gain a prize
has now formally recognized DOTA 2 as one of the official e-sports title in
money of 5 Million Won and a bonus of 1 Million Won for every
Korea with the announcement that the “KOREAN DOTA LEAGUE” (KDL)
successive win they gather. In Tier 2, the same process applies but
is being launched in the country.
with a base prize money of 2 Million Won. Tier 3 has no rewards but teams can earn Tier Points by playing here. Events such as the Nexon PC Bang League, Final Season Winner, Community Contest Winner and more will dish out points to participating teams that they can eventually stack to proceed to the bigger tiers. As for the format, Tier 1 teams will participate in a Bo3 Double Elimination tournament while the Tier 2 teams will participate in a Bo1 Round Robin format. There will be 4 seasons this year. Season 1: February – March Season 2: April – June Season 3: July – September Season 4: October – December All games are being played at the Nexon Arena in Gangnam and
The KOREAN DOTA LEAGUE powered by KeSPA in affiliation with
broadcasted on the SPO TV games channel. The games are also being
Nexon and SPO TV Games has been kicked off team registrations on
streamed on YouTube, Naver, Tving and AfreecaTV. They are taking
January 24, 2014. The league will consist of tiers that separate teams based
place every week on Wednesday at 19:00 KST and Sunday at 15:00
on their skill and are eventually promoted to higher tiers as they perform
KST.
better: Tier 1: Four professional teams from the country will face off against each other for the biggest prizes offered by the league. Tier 2: Six teams with a mixture of both professional and amateur teams will be a part of this tier. Tier 3: Completely amateur teams with open sign-ups. Anyone can register and play in the league in this tier. Primarily will consist of online tournaments, community leagues and etc. The bottom two teams of a higher tier will play with the top 2 teams of the next tier in promotional matches that could determine their chances of being promoted or demoted in the league. So it is important to keep winning to maintain your league tier status.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
12
WORLD REPORT Australia
FINALS for the AEL DOTA 2 Summer Cup 2014 Tournament - The Finalists for the Australian Esports League DOTA 2 Summer Cup 2014 have been determined
By Darren Kwan, Australian e-Sports Association
T he The finalists for the Australian ESports League Dota 2 Summer Cup
The event begins from 12:00pm and ends at 10:45pm!
2014 have been determined after a month long of preliminary matches and
- Bar with Clarity and Healing Salve drinks available;
group qualifier rounds. The four finalists will be heading to Sydney,
- Food will be available on order;
Australia on the 1st of March 2014 to compete for the massive prize pool of
- Door prizes; and
AUD $3,500; streamed live in front of an audience of spectators and fans!
- Dota 2!
We are proud to have Tt eSPORTS, Audio Technica, BenQ and ASROCK
Door prizes include a Tt eSports Knucker Keyboard and high quality Audio
as the official event partners for the Australian ESports League Summer
Technica gaming headsets! For your chance to win the Audio Technica door
Cup 2014!
prize you must like and share this post! For your chance to win the Tt eSports door prize you must like and share this post!…and most importantly, you will also need to attend the event! All teams and attendees need to be aware that the finals will be held in a nightclub venue, with bar and food available. Whilst the event is free and open to spectators, it is an 18+ only venue. Hope to see you all there!
The Australian ESports League Dota 2 Summer Cup 2014 involves AUD $3,500 in cash prizes and is the first event teams can earn points towards qualifying for the Australia Cup in December 2014.
The four finalists, in no particular order, are: - Jizz’N’Run - DareDevilDota - Team 4 Nothing - D4D R
Finals brackets can be found here! Purchase DOTATV tickets here to watch all the action Otherwise tune in at www.twitch.tv/esdaily where we will have a HD stream of the venue, the players, fans and the final matches!
In addition to the AUD $3,500 in cash prizes, sponsors will contribute goodies as well! There will be door prizes available, look out for information on how to be eligible. They will involve a ‘share this post’ plus attend this event and turn up to the venue campaign and be given out at grand finals to randomly selected winners!
G&e Vol. 01-2014
13
GAME LIFE Jay’s Game Choice
Jay’s Game Choice: DOTA 2 By Jay Shin
- My Game Choice for this volume of G&e is “ DOTA 2”, which is the origin of AOS genre. It is necessary to look into the history and current states of this game since it is again coming fore to the major scene of e-sports as the global tournament events are continuously being held, and, furthermore, it is selected as the official game title of 6th e-Sports World Championship BAKU 2014 hosted by IeSF.
B ackground & History
Coverage & Popularity
The origin of ‘DOTA (Defense of the Ancients)” series is a MOD
With supporting most perfect balance, high quality of graphic based on
(Modification) game based on Warcraft III which was developed by a user,
‘Source’ engine and advanced Match Making system, DOTA 2 provides
whose nickname is ‘Eul’. As based on the rule of tower defense game, it
attractions and convenience to users. Also, based on many users and clans
added the RPG factors as appearing various hero characters; then, users
with high loyalty who had enjoyed DOTA All Star, DOTA 2 started
focus on destroying opponent’s camp through leveling-up and purchasing
attracting people as breaking 600,000 of simultaneous connection.
items with obtained resource during the game. In those days, DOTA was as
Especially, with ‘Steam’, the game messenger, providing convenience
preferred as it was adopted for official game title of several international e-
server and circumstance for playing games to users, satisfaction level of
sports tournament and treated at the Blizzcon which is the biggest official
users are high. Furthermore, it seems that such favorable notice from
event of Blizzard.
viewers is expected since it enhanced the diversity of spectating mode with
Then, since the first background map used for DOTA was ‘Aeon of Strife”
enhanced e-sports feature.
which is one of scenario maps of ‘Starcraft’, the users started calling such genre of games as ‘AOS’ genre. Most of AOS games are transformed with their own figures as based on the structure of DOTA, and showing new features. However, any follow-up game which succeeds name and feature of DOTA never showed up. Actually, it was hard to find legitimacy from the beginning since it was developed and sustained by multiple developers. Over the time, Valve, with the title of authentic successor of AOS, disclosed ‘DOTA 2’ developed by ‘Icefrog’ (famous game developer of Valve) who has been managing development of DOTA after the version of ‘DOTA All
DOTA2 League DOTA2 produced international competition in 2013 without fail. 12 best teams from each region competed for 5 days, Sweden ALLIANCE win the championship and about $ 1.4 million of prize. Also, at the INTERNATIONAL 3 Final on August 12 2013, it recorded more than 1 million of viewership as sparked the global attention. Also, it adopted remarkable funding method for prize money, which distributes the quarter of revenue from sales for the International Compendium. The total amount of prize collected broke $ 2.8 million.
Stars 6.01’. Current States of DOTA 2 One thing of note in this announcement is Valve's reveal of the game's active monthly users. According to them, 6.5 million people are playing Dota 2 each month - which seems like a more representative figure than the easily available concurrent player total. To make the obvious comparison, in October last year, Riot announced that League of Legends was picking up 32 million active monthly users. Of course, with no solid data in the 14 months since then, it's hard to know whether that number has grown, or whether Dota 2's official release has dampened that figure.
G&e Vol. 01-2014
14