NZ’s best gamers to do battle this weekend

NZ’s best gamers to do battle this weekend

AUCKLAND 10 July 2008 – Nearly 800 competitors are set to battle around the clock this weekend for a place on the New Zealand team for the 2008 World Cyber Games.

Starting tomorrow (11 July) at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, the New Zealand World Cyber Games Qualifiers gives Kiwi gamers the chance to represent New Zealand at the e-sports equivalent of the Olympic Games.

xLAN Limited World Cyber Games New Zealand Strategic Partner Managing Director Susan Baikie, says the top gamers from New Zealand’s qualifier have the chance to compete in the World Cyber Games tournament where more than 1.5 million gamers from 74 countries compete to win approximately NZ$3.6m in prize money.

“The World Cyber Games Qualifier this weekend will be a unique spectacle, with the very best of cyber-gaming on display in a highly charged environment, game demonstrations and trials available, along with the legendary Food Eating Competition. We expect up to 10,000 spectators at this great three day event.

“The winners from the New Zealand World Cyber Games will compete against 12 other Asia Pacific countries in Singapore this August, and have a chance to compete in Cologne, Germany in November where the world’s best gamers will be squaring off for the Grand Final of the World Cyber Games”

Gamers this weekend will be competing on Counter Strike 1.6 (PC), Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne (PC), FIFA 2008 (PC) DOTA All-Stars (PC), Guitar Hero 3 (Xbox 360), Virtua Fighter 5 (Xbox 360) and Halo 3 (Xbox 360). Exhibition matches will be played in Team Fortress 2 (PC), Call of Duty 4 (PC) SpamTin Memorial Trophy Counter Strike: Source (PC), and Act and Dress like a rock star on Guitar Hero 3 (Xbox 360), and PC World Case Modding Competition.

More than $100,000 worth of prizes provided by Worldwide sponsor Samsung Electronics and New Zealand major sponsor TelstraClear, Worldwide premier sponsor Xbox 360, ASUS and Demon Energy are up for grabs. Other partners include PC World (Official Media), The Edge Radio Station (Official Radio Station) and PlayTech (Official Game PC Supplier).

The demand for eSports content is growing globally at a huge rate. Worldwide, more than NZ$51.5 billion was spent on video games last year. In New Zealand last year more than NZ$100 million was spent. Over the last five years the revenue from video games has increased 20%.

For more event details: http://www.wcg.net.nz

Spectator Hours: Free entry
Friday 11 July: 2pm – 8pm
Saturday 12 July: 9am – 8pm
Sunday 12 July: 9am – 3pm

ENDS

Gates open to the public and competitors at 12.00pm on Friday.

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About The World Cyber Games
The World Cyber Games (www.worldcybergames.com) is the premier blue chip global video game tournament and culture festival First founded in 2000 to promote global harmony through e-sports, the WCG has grown steadily ever since. Behind the slogan "Beyond the Game" and with contestants from more than 70 countries expected to participate in this year's event, the World Cyber Games has developed into a true global phenomenon with arguably the largest prize amount at stake. The World Cyber Games prides itself on leading the "Digital Entertainment Culture."
Attendee demographics:

41% 16-24 years, single male, predominantly students.
36% 25-34 years old professionals with a high interest in IT.
23% 20-29 year old singles.

Internationally there are professional gamers who make a great living from prize money and sponsorships. In Korea, gaming is considered a national sport, with top gamers treated like sports stars, with fan clubs, groupies and requiring body guards.
More than NZ$3.2m was awarded in prize money at the 2007 World Cyber Games, with a grand final prize of NZ$542,000.
The World Cyber Games began in 2000.

New Zealand World Cyber Games
xLAN Limited, host of the event, have had sell out events over the past four years. 800 competitors will attend the three day event.

A team of up to 19 people will be named following the New Zealand Qualifiers to represent New Zealand to compete in the WCG Grand Final in Cologne, Germany on 5th-9th November. Some will also compete at the Asian Championship in Singapore from 7th – 10th August.

Spectators are welcome at the event – entry price is FREE

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