The Samsung Galaxy
Counter Strike: Global
Offensive (CS:GO) Championship, sponsored by Samsung, is currently underway
and will conclude with the final match on 7 May 2017. The winning team of this multiplayer first-person shooter video game will be walking away with, not only the top honour,
but also R1,000,000.00 - the biggest prize ever for a single eSports title in
South Africa.
“Samsung shares the gaming thirst and with
our vision, endurance and focus on strategy to improve people’s lives, what
better way to do it than by getting involved and assist in building the future for
gaming locally,” says Craige Fleischer, Director: Integrated Mobility, Samsung
South Africa.
Counter Strike: Global Offensive has been the benchmark of
game players’ skills worldwide, with global teams continually proving their
ability and strategies in tournaments.
Organiser and host of the online gaming
event, Mettlestate, has partnered with Samsung Mobile in this sponsorship deal
to bring the local championship to realisation, offering South African gamers a
larger platform to display their skills and to further create awareness of
eSports and gaming possibilities.
eSport is an ever growing activity, not only
as a pastime, but as an occupation. A great number of individuals are inspired
to become professional gamers, developers, designers and writers, choosing the
gaming industry as a career path.
Worldwide
eSports revenues are projected to reach approximately $1.1 billion by the end
of 2019, according to a Newzoo market report*. It is a clear indication that
there is a market for it and that consumers are interested. Compared to the
international market, eSport is but an infant locally, but interest of South
African gamers and brands in the competitive gaming scene is showing stable and
speedy growth.
“It
is great to see South African eSports starting to take off because of
companies, like Samsung, lending their support and investing in the industry,”
says Barry “Anthrax” Louzada,
Director at Mettlestate. “With Samsung - a
world-renowned technology brand with premium devices - as
a partner, eSport can only go from strength to strenght. Samsung’s endorsement
means that the company has growing intrest in the industry and the various
opportunities it has to offer millennials.”
The
Samsung sponsorship of the tournament is not only providing monitory
assistance, but also sponsoring Samsung products that are relevant to the
gaming fraternity. These devices are becoming sought after accessories as
eSports expands and develops into a more involved practice.
“Our
mobile technology and flagship devices, such as the Samsung Gear VR, Gear 360 camera
and our latest Galaxy S8 smartphone, allow consumers to have the ultimate
gaming experience. Gaming is a serious business and gamers are looking to buy
only the best devices possible to ensure them the best results. And Samsung is
the best. Our immersive products amplify play by bringing fans and participants
closer to the mettle of the game, capturing the spirit of gaming,” Fleischer
concludes.
