Gaming event first for Bay

GAMERS from across the Bay will put their skills to the test at the first Play-G e-Sports Launch LAN at the Mill Park Bowling Club on Friday.

In the main attraction, 12 teams will do battle in five-onfive duels to determine the best Counterstrike GO team in the city.

Other tournaments will include Fifa 18 and Injustice 2 competitions.

E-Sports, a form of competition using video games, gives players the opportunity of battling against some of the best gamers in the city.

Event organiser Jandre Swart said the event was aimed at gaining the interest of gamers, especially young ones, to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

He expects to have at least 120 players enter the tournament, with 150 at most.

He said the tournaments would be scored using the Swiss scoring format, with players going head to head in a number of rounds, while racking up points.

Swart said a few players from Cape Town would also be joining the competition.

“Some of the guys who will be at the tournament have been playing each other online for years, and this will be the first time they are going to meet face to face,” Swart said.

The sign-up fee is R80, and includes access to all tournaments except the Counterstrike tournament, with all slots already filled.

The doors open at 5pm, with game play expected to start from 6pm. For spectators, entry is R20, and this includes access to the free-to-play gaming area.

“The negativity people have with these sports is that we are just a bunch of kids playing games, and we want to change that perception, and show that this is something that can be competitive and fun for all,” Swart said.

He hinted at some big plans for the new year but did not divulge any information, saying they were still in discussions with various stakeholders.