The grand final of the first Esports World Cup takes place today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The global competition was attended by 1,500 world-class player enter the stage for the last eight weeks.
Usually, it is e-sports competitions where gamers Video games competitive – would focus on one game. This tournament held competitions in 21 different games such as Counter-Strike, Rocket League and Tekken8.
The competition had a record prize pool of $60 million (£43.5 million) which was shared between the various winners, a sum which the World Championship organisers said was a spectacular one.
“$60 million makes this relevant. Every parent in the world will look at this and say, ‘Okay, then I get it,'” Ralf Reichert, managing director of the Esports World Cup, told Sky News.
He also pointed out that eSports is a global sport and that winning $200,000 can be “life-changing” for participants from poorer countries.
The scenes when Team Falcon won the World Cup. Image: Esports World Cup Foundation
Local Saudi club Team Falcon won the tournament a week ago due to its high score, now the teams are fighting for second and third place.
56 British players and seven British clubs took part in Riyadh – Apex Racing Team, Fnatic Guild Esports, Man City Esports, Tundra Esports, Williams Esports and Wolves Esports.
Read more on Sky News:
“It feels like China is suddenly aging”
Robot chef learns to chew and taste food
Will China use these robot dogs as weapons?
However, holding the competition in Saudi Arabia sparked controversy due to the kingdom’s human rights record.
“(The Esports World Cup) has had a very mixed reception just because of its venue,” said professional gamer and transgender woman Emma Rose.
“If it had taken place anywhere else in the world, it would have been celebrated as one of the biggest events of all time in esports and gaming.”
Women take part in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational. Image: Esports World Cup Foundation
Although around half of the players are women, only one women’s match was played. In addition, the games were also criticized because of Saudi Arabia’s stance on LGBT+ rights.
According to a new survey by the interest group GLAAD and the polling institute Nielsen, one in five gamers is LGBT+.
Team Liquid wore their Pride jerseys throughout the tournament. Image: Esports World Cup
Some players boycotted the games entirely, while others wore Pride jerseys on stage.
Ms Rose decided against boycotting the Games, saying it was important that voices like hers and those of other LGBT+ allies were heard.
“If everyone drops out, nothing will change and I will not hide my voice. I will actively talk about it and get involved.”
The competition’s organizers told Sky News that all participants in the World Cup would be well treated regardless of their sexuality. The Saudi Arabian embassy did not respond to a request for comment.
Stay up to date with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Tap here
For the teams that decided to participate, it was an opportunity to show the rest of the world what esports is really about.
A G2 fan shows his support in the arena. Image: Esports World Cup Foundation
Alban Dechelotte leads a team called G2, which he describes as “the Real Madrid of e-sports” because “we win a lot.”
“Esports has been around for about 20 years and despite the passion, despite the growth, despite the numbers, we still get asked by the mainstream audience, ‘Do you really watch other people play video games?'” he said.
“I can only hope that these events like the Esports World Cup can help simply generate interest in an audience that isn’t interested in the game and doesn’t understand the competition.”
