Virtual games all the rave now as they help fill time, and coffers too
Times are changing and eSport have never had it so good. With mainstream sports around the world on hold due to Covid-19, people are turning to gaming to fill their time during the movement control order (MCO).
Sports like Formula One, Tour de France, MotoGP and tennis have started rolling out virtual games featuring some of their biggest stars.
Back home, the Youth and Sports Ministry, despite a change of leadership recently, continue to embrace eSport and have organised the MyStay@HomeChallenge with the help of eSport Malaysia (ESM).
And the response was overwhelming with over 16,000 enthusiasts wanting to sign up in just two days.
However, the organisers only accepted half the amount and a second MyStay@ HomeChallenge is expected to take off soon as the MCO is now extended until the end of this month.
“We had competitions at all states with the best going on to compete at the national level,” said newly appointed Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
“With the MCO, the youths have nothing to do at home.
“With so many trying to sign up, it sends a strong signal and we cannot ignore this movement.
“I was told that we have 14 million playing eSport in the country. Since there are no activities now we are thinking of ways to capture the flavour of the youth.
“I’m all for eSport as long as it benefits the players in a positive and healthy way,” added Reezal.
Online games such as Mobile Legends (ML) and Players Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG) have mushroomed in recent years and are very popular with some international tournaments offering millions in prize money.
Some local competitions have also offered prize purses in excess of RM100,000.
What makes eSport popular is the accessibility, everyone can play as long as they have a phone, a gaming console or a computer.
And eSport is set to stay as it will be retained for the next SEA Games in Vietnam in 2021 and for the first time as a medal sport at the Hangzhou (China) Asian Games in 2022.