Everyone desires to become a professional gamer and earn a fortune while enjoying their favourite games. But you simply can’t have esports tournaments with gamers alone.
People working in the industry anticipate more exposure and job chances as more esports competitions arrive in Malaysia. Andrew Cheong, a.k.a. “Sir Cloud,” an esports commentator, asserts that not enough people are available.
He explains that when people consider careers in esports, they are mainly interested in playing video games for a living.
Based on conversations I’ve had with people in the sector, everyone is excited that the industry is growing at a rapid rate. As multiple events are taking place at the same time, we need more people to help with events, especially on the production side.
Players are part of the ecosystem, but we need more camera persons, producers, game marshals, referees and even social media teams to post updates.
Today’s biggest esports events have to be run like an entertainment programme or sports show.
Esports commentator, Andrew Cheong ‘Sir Cloud’
Physical esports competitions are resurging as COVID-19 regulations are being relaxed.
The next major competition, ESL One 2022, will be held at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands, Pahang, from 26 August to 28 August.
Twelve teams from South-East Asia and Europe will compete in the Defense Of The Ancients 2 (Dota 2) tournament for a piece of the US$400,000 (RM1.76 million) prize pool.
Two significant esports competitions were held in Malaysia last month: the PUBG Mobile Pro League SEA Championship Spring, won by Team D’Xavier from Vietnam for US$31,500 (RM138,650), and the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup 2022, won by Team RSG Philippines for US$140,000 (RM616,700).
Esports competitions happen virtually every month, although they might not be as big as the PUBG tournament that just finished in KL and he was a part of as a commentator. Sir Cloud said that normally, a large-scale event like this would need up to 20 marshals and 10 cameramen.
He also mentioned working in esports is not all just fun and games, it can be a very stressful industry. He claims that in order for Malaysia to become a regional centre for esports, more training options must be offered to upskill the workforce and infrastructure must be improved.
He uses Singapore as an excellent illustration, where major esports competitions are frequently hosted. The International 10, an annual Dota 2 tournament, is the world’s biggest esports tournament is coming to the small island nation, which is expected to offer a prize pool of US$40mil (RM176mil).
We are seeing more of our manpower leaving for the island nation. Perhaps, they have policies that are more flexible and attractive for organisers to host events.
I think that’s something Malaysia can look into and perhaps emulate if we want to see more esports events being hosted here.
Esports commentator, Andrew Cheong ‘Sir Cloud’
