How the Esports World Cup is Shaping the Future of Esports

How the Esports World Cup is Shaping the Future of Esports

The Esports World Cup has already made history as one of the largest esports events to date. With a prize pool of $60 million, it has attracted numerous organizations to compete in the 8-week tournament featuring 19 confirmed titles.

The tournament will showcase a variety of games, including traditional sports games, MOBAs, fighting games, and shooters. These games will feature some of the most well-known players in the esports community. The industry has experienced significant growth leading up to the tournament, as teams are being encouraged to enter new games and organizations are picking up new teams.

I had conversations with several of the players participating in the competition, as well as Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne and Chief Games Officer Fabian Scheuermann, who collaborated on selecting the game lineup for the event. Together, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the goals and aspirations for the Esports World Cup.

Bringing the World of Esports Together

Over the last decade, the esports industry has experienced significant growth. What began as a small and specialized interest has now expanded into a vast ecosystem, though not without some challenges along the way.

The current state of the esports industry has created an uneven playing field, with different levels of structure and support for each esport. For example, Riot Games’ franchised leagues guarantee visibility and opportunities for organizations that are committed to the franchise. On the other hand, open-bracket esports such as fighting games and TFT carry the risk of players being eliminated early on and not receiving any screen time.

The Esports World Cup Foundation aims to support the entire industry by providing financial backing to the top organizations in the world. As an organization that spans across various esports, it requires a significant amount of financial investment and involves a high level of risk. If a team is not at the top, sponsors may not be willing to pay, and there is no one-size-fits-all strategy that guarantees success in every game. However, the foundation remains committed to promoting the growth of esports and encouraging the participation of top organizations.

A total of 30 organizations were given a six-figure stipend each to cover the expenses of investing in new esports teams. Furthermore, out of the $60 million prize pool, $20 million has been allocated for these organizations, ensuring that a substantial amount of the prize money is reserved for both the organizations and their players.

Despite the recent announcement, the selection process for these organizations has been ongoing for a considerable amount of time. This is especially evident in the fighting game community, a sector of esports that has traditionally been challenging for organizations to enter and difficult to justify.

The recent signings of Saint (Tekken 8) by Falcons, JEonDDing (Tekken 8) by Vitality, and JB (Street Fighter 6) by Cloud9 have already had a noticeable impact on the partnership program, even before its official announcement. By bringing in more players from niche esports communities who can devote themselves to full-time competition, the level of competition will only continue to improve and the scene will see growth.

During his signing with FaZe Clan in 2023, Joey Fury shared his thoughts on this issue, which still hold true today and shed light on the significance of having more full-time competitors in smaller esports communities.

Throughout my Tekken career, there have been periods where I had to balance work and gaming. These were the most difficult times. Working a 9-5 during the day and then participating in late-night online tournaments was a grueling task. If I won, I would often be up until the early hours of the morning, throwing off my sleep schedule for the rest of the week. It takes a lot of dedication and skill to succeed in Tekken while working full-time, and I have the utmost respect for those who are able to do so.

Similarly, this trend of growth is not limited to just the FGC. It is likely that we will see an increase in the number of teams being signed in various esports as the EWC approaches.

The CEO of Cloud9, Jack Etienne, was filled with excitement for the impact this tournament would bring to the world of esports, providing the opportunity for both large and small games to participate in a major international event that they otherwise would not have had.

“I am thrilled about this competition. Esports events on an international level always generate a lot of excitement. However, there are many games that don’t provide the same opportunities for players to compete on such grand stages. The amount of money being invested into prize pools for these players, especially in certain regions, can truly change their lives and allow them to pursue their passion for gaming full-time. As a fan of esports, it is incredibly exciting to see these opportunities for players who may not have had the chance to compete for such large sums of money before.”

Despite this, big esports such as League of Legends still find it equally thrilling as they only host a handful of international events annually, uniting the top teams from around the world.

MSI-2024-stage
Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

For a long time, League of Legends has been a closed-off system without any events organized by anyone other than [Riot]. We have become accustomed to having only two international events per year. The addition of another event would result in a significant increase in the number of international events that we have.

He would also mention his surprise to see numerous publishers eagerly seizing the chance to participate in this event and have their games showcased on a global platform.

It was astonishing to witness the strong support from various publishers for this event, as it signifies a significant step towards the growth of esports. Such rapid advancement in the world of esports has not been seen in quite some time. Additionally, this event stands as a monumental moment as it is the first of its kind solely dedicated to esports.

Upon questioning Faker about the subject, it appeared that he shared the same sentiment and he expressed his enthusiasm for League of Legends receiving more exposure on the global platform.

“He expressed his confidence that every team will put forth their best effort on the international stage. He also expressed his joy in the increasing number of international events and tournaments, which are receiving attention and excitement from fans.”

Overall, the other players we conversed with shared the same level of excitement, not solely because of the potential to win millions.

Giving New Games the Biggest Stage (and Old Games a Second Chance)

Establishing a loyal fanbase for new games in the world of esports can be challenging. The most established esports such as Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and DOTA 2 have been able to maintain their audience and fandom for many years. On the other hand, games like CoD, Street Fighter, and Tekken continually release new entries, but also incorporate storylines from their previous esports scenes.

Developing a successful esports phenomenon from the ground up may seem daunting (we’re looking at you, Valorant), but it is achievable with the right conditions in place. Additionally, people tend to remain loyal to the games they enjoy watching and playing for extended periods of time. Encouraging viewers to expand their interest to other esports or attracting new viewers who aren’t typically interested in esports is a challenging task, but not an insurmountable one.

One way to simplify the process is by tapping into people’s familiarity and enthusiasm for traditional sports to introduce them to the world of esports. We had a conversation with Anders Vejrgang, a talented young player who has been winning championships in the FIFA (now EA FC) series since the age of 11. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to compete on a grand stage with significant rewards.

“Previous year, [Gamers8] was also held in Saudi Arabia. Surprisingly, the crowd showed their support towards me for once! (laughs) Usually, they are against me, but this time, they were on my side. I am excited that the event will be held in Saudi Arabia again. Looking at the prize pool, I can already imagine a huge arena. This thought motivates me greatly. I perform better under pressure, so I am eagerly anticipating the event. Esports is constantly growing and becoming even bigger.”

Additionally, the tournament being held in Saudi Arabia provides players from the Middle East and other regions with the chance to compete for life-changing prize pools without encountering any Visa complications.

Despite hailing from one of the strongest regions in the world for the game, Tekken god Arslan Ash expressed his disappointment in not being able to participate in EVO Japan. He also noted that no Pakistani players were able to attend the tournament. However, the upcoming Esports World Cup is being held nearby, which is a game-changer for Ash and his fellow players as it eliminates the travel challenges they have faced in the past.

“Arslan claimed that the Esports World Cup has played a significant role in the tremendous growth of fighting games. The tournament’s massive presence and global reach have sparked motivation in players worldwide, leading to sponsorships from major companies. This has created a thriving ecosystem that benefits teams, players, and the overall community.”

“According to him, the hard work of everyone, including Pakistani people, has always been hindered by Visa problems. However, with the Esports World Cup being held in Saudi Arabia, there are no Visa obstacles to worry about. This has encouraged the core community to put in even more effort without any concerns about Visa issues.”

Apex Legends is making its debut at the Esports World Cup, and seasoned competitor ImperialHal believes this event has the potential to elevate the ALGS by increasing its exposure and propelling the game’s esports scene to unprecedented heights.

“According to Hal, the Esports World Cup is the most significant event in Apex since the game’s launch five years ago. He believes that it presents a huge opportunity and everyone should be eagerly anticipating it.”

In the end, the EWC’s main goal is to mitigate the risks associated with esports by offering incentives to teams to invest in a diverse range of esports, even if there is no immediate profit. This removes the financial uncertainty from less stable esports and encourages top teams to devote their resources towards developing smaller ecosystems, ultimately elevating the level of competition within these scenes.

Lance Skundrich

Left to right: Arslan Ash (Tekken), ImperialHal (Apex Legends), TGLTN (PUBG), Double (TFT), Anders Vejrgang (EA FC)

This development is clearly beneficial for players, as it enables them to pursue the games that they are most passionate about.

Keeping all of this in consideration, the question arose about the purpose of the Esports World Cup. What are their objectives for hosting this tournament, if not for financial gain? What lies ahead for the EWC and how will they surpass the success of their current record-breaking esports event?

In order to fully understand the situation, we interviewed Fabian Scheuermann, the EWC’s Chief Games Officer. We inquired about the extensive process of assembling their diverse selection of games, the future direction of the tournament, and the efforts towards inclusivity in hopes of providing a larger platform for women in esports.

Creating an Esports World Cup for everyone

Despite the immense size and diversity of the esports industry, organizing a tournament that accurately reflects the global nature of esports is no easy task. While certain games, such as League of Legends, have a strong worldwide following, others have found success primarily within their respective regions and have faced challenges in expanding beyond that. Scheuermann’s goal is to provide games from all corners of the globe with an opportunity to showcase their talents.

“Our goal is to reach a global audience, which means having a comprehensive collection of the most important AAA games. From Honor of Kings in China to Free Fire in Latin America, we are committed to including all major global titles. This is why we have worked towards obtaining all of them.”

Despite the increasing popularity of esports, organizations and publishers have faced challenges in generating profits and sustaining the industry. In light of this, he shared his vision for the EWC and his plans to support the growth and longevity of the scene.

“Our ultimate goal is to revolutionize the esports industry. We are determined to establish a strong and lasting infrastructure that benefits all stakeholders in the ecosystem, including players, clubs, publishers, and fans. This includes addressing the challenges of sustainability that are faced by all parties involved.”

Additionally, despite their already extensive collection of games, he expressed interest in expanding it further next year. While he provided reasoning for why Valorant may not be included, he also alluded to the possibility of acquiring other popular games.

“I cannot disclose the specific games, but Valorant is among the four titles on our shortlist. We have been in talks with the publishers about our plans. However, we encountered a scheduling conflict with Valorant, which would have caused major inconvenience for our players. As we have a long-term vision for the league, we are only in our first year and have room to expand.”

During discussions about potential improvements for the tournament, the focus was not solely on introducing new games. In fact, expanding women’s esports is a major goal for Scheuermann, as demonstrated by the inclusion of a women’s Mobile Legends Bang Bang tournament this year and plans for further growth in the coming year.

G2-Gozen-roster
Adela Sznajder/Riot Games

Valorant Game Changers is one of the biggest women’s circuits in esports, and Scheuermann wants to get the EWC more involved next year in helping foster the growth of these leagues.

“The main issue is that we are unable to increase the number of tournaments this year due to logistical constraints and the current schedule. However, we have plans to expand in the upcoming years, so you can expect to see a significant increase in women’s tournaments next year. I can confidently assure you of that.”

Despite Team Vitality having already secured a MLBB women’s team prior to the Esports World Cup, it appears that other organizations share the same sentiment.

In addition, he made it clear that the term “women”includes all women, leaving no room for doubt that trans women are included. Furthermore, Scheuermann stated that any speculation about LGBTQ+ characters being unplayable at the Esports World Cup is false. He emphasized that the selection of games for the tournament was not influenced by the values they represented.

Despite the location of the tournament and previous laws in Saudi Arabia that have limited the rights of women and individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, there are those who have reservations about attending or endorsing the Esports World Cup.

In recent years, there have been changes to many of these laws as seen in Saudi Arabia’s progress in women’s rights. This shows that Scheuermann’s perspective on the future of esports involves breaking away from its current male-dominated state.

When inquired about the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals traveling to the Esports World Cup, he responded, “The kingdom is currently undergoing a transformation and everyone is welcome and safe. We have previously demonstrated this during other tournaments and diversity events held in the kingdom, ensuring the safety of all travelers.”

Despite the potential for esports organizations and game publishers to capitalize on this opportunity, it is evident that both he and the rest of the Esports World Cup Foundation carefully planned and crafted an event that truly encompasses a global reach.

Despite not yet commencing, the Esports World Cup has already greatly impacted the ecosystem through its lucrative deals with partnering organizations and publishers, which are too enticing to reject.

Despite the historically unstable and notoriously difficult nature of the industry, the EWC aims to establish a stable and sustainable ecosystem that can provide support for the top players in esports for many years to come.

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