Asia
Esports Integrated (ESI) Announces the Success of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21) and the Closing of MEL21 National League (Nationals)
Esports Integrated (ESI), an initiative under the purview of the Ministry of Youth & Sports (KBS), today announces the successful organisation and completion of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21) Nationals. The inaugural nationwide esports league for grassroots was held in 2 stages; State Leagues on 10 July till 8 August 2021 and Nationals on 14 August till 31 August 2021.
A total of 288 players from 64 teams representing 13 states and 3 Federal Territories competed in MEL21 Nationals in 4 game titles; PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBGM), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), EA Sports FIFA21 and Dota 2. Winners of each category brought home RM20,000 prize money, champion’s medal and the title of MEL21 National Champion. MEL21 was organised by ESI in collaboration with 16 state esports associations. Almost 30,000 local grassroot players registered for the fully virtual competition, held in accordance with the SOPs set under the National Recovery Plan – Phase 1.
For PUBGM, matches were held on 14, 15, 16 August with 22 August 2021 as the Final match day. 15 rounds were held throughout 4 tournament days using point system format, competing in 3 maps, Sanhok, Erangel and Miramar. Team Farang Guerrilla from Selangor emerged victorious, with the highest kill count of 13 during Final day. Team Farang Guerilla consists of Adib Syazwan bin Abd Razak (team captain), Nur Muhammad Safiuddin bin Abdul Jabar, Muhammad Abbas bin Saufi and Mohammad Helmi Eizlan bin Mohammad Ehsan.
For Dota 2, group matches were held on 17 & 18 August 2021. All 16 teams were split into 4 groups competing in a league format in “Best of 1” matches before moving into knockout rounds. “Best of 3” matches were held during the knockout rounds, with 4 league group winners progressing into Upper Bracket, whilst 4 teams with the highest points moving into Lower Bracket. Team Thanks from Sarawak emerged victorious in the final match against ANIMALS from Selangor, coming back from 2-0 deficit to win the match in the fifth game with the score line of 2-3. Team Thanks consists of Benedict Chin Kuok Hong (team captain), Nelson Chin Kuok Chiat, Raymond Then Wan Jia, Nicholas Chin Kuok Chun and Low Kin Siong.
For FIFA21, matches were held on 20, 21 August with 27 August as the Final Playoffs. 16 players were split into 4 groups during the initial league round before winners from each group progressed into the knockout stage during Final Playoffs. Kedah’s Muhammad Faiz Hariry (AKA OrangeFavLain) emerged as the champion, beating Perak’s Kamil Al Amini bin Jamalludi Al Amini (AKA MAXNEVIS) with golden goal in Game 3, after both players were tied in 3-3 in Game 1 & 2.
For MLBB, matches were held on 23, 24 and 30 August, before culminating in the Final Playoffs on 31 August 2021. 16 teams were split into 4 groups during the initial league stage before winners of each group progressed into the Upper Bracket knockout round and 4 teams with the highest points moving to Lower Bracket knockout round. Penang’s Cyduken emerged victorious over Terengganu’s Mikey with a score line of 3-0. Cyduken consists of Aiman Zairie bin Anuar (team captain), Muhammad Hakim bin Adanan, Muhammad Nabil bin Japri, Ahmad Zaki bin Ibrahim and Mohamed Aiman Solihin bin Mohamed Iqbal.
“With the success of the inaugural MEL, KBS through ESI are planning to continue hosting it on an annual basis to continue to support grassroots development of the esports ecosystem in Malaysia,” said Ahmed Faris Amir, the Chief Executive Officer of ESI.
“In the future edition of MEL, we hope to have more female players participating and that MEL will be more racially diverse as well,” he added to the media when asked about MEL improvement plans during the press conference.
All matches were livestreamed on the national esports tournament platform, esukan.gg and ESI’s Facebook page. A total of 2.2 million video minutes were viewed, and 700,000 total views were recorded throughout MEL21 Nationals. This exemplifies the local esports community’s appetite for exciting and competitive tournaments for the grassroots. The number of views exceeded ESI’s initial projection of 100,000 views.
Asia
BETBY PARTNERS WITH SABA SPORTS TO DELIVER ESPORTS CONTENT THROUGH BETBY GAMES
BETBY strengthens its Asian position with agreement to power leading brand SABA Sports
Premium sportsbook provider BETBY has entered into a strategic partnership with renowned sports gaming supplier SABA Sports, marking a significant step in bringing BETBY’s award-winning esports feature, BETBY Games, to the Asian-facing market.
The partnership with SABA Sports, the largest sports betting provider in Asia, will kick off with the integration of NBA focused eBasketball content in its esports portfolio. Going forward SABA Sports will be expanding its e-sim offering with additional BETBY Games titles, which are renowned to increase player engagement through fast-betting content designed for the next generation of players.
“This partnership with SABA represents an important milestone for BETBY as we expand our footprint into the Asian market,” said Chris Nikolopoulos, BETBY’s Chief Commercial Officer. “SABA’s exceptional market presence and reputation make them an ideal partner to bring BETBY Games content to life for operators across the region. Together, we aim to deliver unparalleled esports experiences and redefine how players engage with these dynamic esports offerings.”
The post BETBY PARTNERS WITH SABA SPORTS TO DELIVER ESPORTS CONTENT THROUGH BETBY GAMES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
DigiPlus Introduces Tools for Players to Control Gaming Time and Bets
DigiPlus Interactive Corporation, the company behind leading platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, has raised the bar for responsible gaming in the Philippines by launching an advanced Responsible Gaming tab within its platform. This groundbreaking feature provides players with a powerful set of tools to take control of their gaming habits. With options to set daily gaming durations, customise specific gaming schedules and establish daily loss limits, DigiPlus ensures that players can enjoy gaming responsibly, within boundaries they define for themselves.
For example, players can now set a gaming duration that ensures their gaming is confined to specific hours, such as during evenings, or lunch breaks, without interfering with work or family commitments. Players can also set a daily loss limit, such as not exceeding ₱1000, ensuring they never risk more than they are comfortable with. These self-defined features allow players to enjoy the fun and excitement of gaming while ensuring that it never becomes a source of stress or financial strain.
The Responsible Gaming feature is at par with global standards, reflecting DigiPlus’ leadership in adopting best practices for player welfare. These self-exclusion measures, commonly implemented by leading international gaming operators, empower players to prioritise their wellbeing while enjoying the fun and excitement of gaming. By integrating these tools directly into the app, DigiPlus guarantees easy accessibility and seamless user experience, demonstrating a proactive commitment to protecting players from potential harm.
“The launch of the Responsible Gaming tab in our platforms reflects our deep commitment to our players’ welfare. We believe gaming should always remain a safe and enjoyable activity. By giving our players the tools to manage their gaming habits responsibly, we’re setting a new benchmark for responsible gaming, one that aligns with global standards and emphasizes our care for every individual who engages with our platforms,” said DigiPlus Interactive Chairman Eusebio Tanco.
This new and innovative feature is complemented by DigiPlus’ broader responsible gaming initiatives through its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation. The “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo” webinar series provides education on maintaining a healthy gaming-life balance, managing emotional and mental health, and recognising when to seek intervention. Personalised financial coaching sessions are also offered to guide players in making sound financial decisions, as demonstrated in the support provided to the jackpot winners, the most recent one being the ₱312 million Lucky Spin winner.
DigiPlus’ self-exclusion tools and educational programmes align with PAGCOR’s mission to promote responsible gaming and create a safer environment for players. This latest advancement in responsible gaming is a testament to DigiPlus’ vision of creating a sustainable and enjoyable gaming ecosystem that puts people first.
The post DigiPlus Introduces Tools for Players to Control Gaming Time and Bets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Skillhub Online Games Federation and Global Esports Federation Unite to Bring Global Esports Tour 2025 to India
In a landmark moment for India’s esports ecosystem, Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) proudly announces its collaboration with the Global Esports Federation (GEF) to bring the Global Esports Tour (GET) 2025 to Mumbai. This historic event marks the first-ever Global Esports Tournament in India, further cementing the nation’s role as an emerging force in global esports.
The first ever Global Esports Tournament in Mumbai will bring together top-tier professional esports athletes and teams to compete on a world-class stage. This initiative is a direct outcome of the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between SOGF and Global Esports Federation (GEF) in October 2024, signifying a long-term commitment to developing esports across South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The Global Esports Tour Mumbai will not only showcase high-stakes competition but also serve as a launchpad for India’s esports talent onto the international stage. By hosting a prestigious event of this scale, SOGF aims to bolster India’s esports industry, drive investments, and create unparalleled opportunities for athletes, developers, and organizations within the ecosystem.
Sibtain Baqri, Chief Executive Officer of SOGF, expressed his excitement about this milestone,“Bringing the Global Esports Tour to India is more than just a tournament—it’s a movement. This event underscores India’s potential as a global esports powerhouse, providing athletes with an international platform to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. SOGF is committed to nurturing this ecosystem, and GET Mumbai is just the beginning of our larger vision to shape the future of esports in India and South Asia.”
Echoing this sentiment, Rustam Aghasiyev, Chief of Staff & Operations at Global Esports Federation, stated: “We are thrilled to expand our global footprint with the Global Esports Tour in Mumbai, which will introduce a new wave of opportunities for Indian and South Asian esports communities. Our partnership with SOGF is a significant step toward fostering an inclusive, competitive, and world-class esports environment in the region.”
Global Esports Tour, the GEF’s professional team series, showcases elite-level esports athletes and teams competing in high-stakes tournaments across iconic global cities. The arrival of GET in India underscores GEF’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and delivering impactful experiences for athletes, audiences, and stakeholders alike.
The post Skillhub Online Games Federation and Global Esports Federation Unite to Bring Global Esports Tour 2025 to India appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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