We have five (5) of six (6) games confirmed to be the titles aspiring medalists can play in the eSports segment of SEA Games 2019. The sixth and final game remains to be a mystery, but appears to be under evaluation. Regardless, this goes to show just how close gamers are to experience the first time eSports will become a medal sport. Players can see a better view of games they can compete in when the sixth game gets confirmation.

The Games for eSports SEA Games 2019

The shortlisted titles have come courtesy of PHISGOC (Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee) and Razer. These are as follows:

• PC Games: Dota 2 and StarCraft II
• Mobile Games: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Arena of Valor
• Console Games: Tekken 7

“In the three weeks since we announced esports as a medal event at SEA Games 2019, we’ve seen a phenomenal level of interest from all segments of the industry, most of all game publishers,” Min-Liang Tan, Razer CEO, and co-founder, said. “The shortlisting of six games in such a short time is evidence that the notion of esports as a legitimate sporting event is no longer a fad. We look forward to having more partners come on board and join us in defining a new generation of sporting heroes for the youth and millennials.”

eSports SEA Games 2019: Completing the Shortlist

Next year’s SEA Games 2019 marks the first time eSports will be a medal event in sporting history. This means gamers will be competing alongside players and competitors of traditional sports.

The second console game – which is also the missing sixth game in the shortlist – appears to be under evaluation. Criteria include physical and mental intensity, strategy and teamwork, and diversity of titles. Regardless, the final medal count for the eSports segment of SEA Games 2019 will be plentiful. This should include 2 PC Games, 2 Mobile Games, and 2 Console Games. According to a press release, all games are gender inclusive and will be open to teams of both men and women to participate.

In terms of the criteria for the second console game, the following will be taken into consideration:

• The diversity of titles: This means games will be considered not just based on competitiveness and popularity. Rather, things like platforms, genres, and publishers seem to be taken into consideration.
• Strategy and teamwork: Competing teams should be able to deploy multifaceted tactics to clinch victory against their opponents.
• Physical and mental intensity: Games need to be able to test the endurance of players. This means taking into account the kind of mental and physical intensity that will be needed to persevere through marathon matches.

A World First For eSports

PHISGOC and Razer officially announced the inclusion of eSports as a medal event in the 2019 SEA Games last November 2018. Razer also serves as the official eSports partner of the event. This marks a momentous occasion in gaming history, as this will be the first event of its kind to have eSports in such an unprecedented global scale.

Abraham Tolentino, Director for Sports of PHISGOC, said they’ve taken particular attention to include titles that appeal to a younger demographic. “The Sports Department of PHISGOC has long been keen on including sports that will appeal to the young, tech-savvy spectators, including esports.”

Vincent Reyes, the President of TV5 added eSports will surely draw in more crowds for the SEA Games. “The Philippines is excited to welcome esports as one of the crowd-drawers in the coming SEA Games,” Reyes, head of the Filipino broadcasting network, said. “Gamers will surely look forward to these six games as medal events.”