SPH's events arm makes foray into eSports with SG$1m investment during COMEX

Singapore Press Holdings' (SPH) events arm, Sphere Exhibits is making its foray into eSports with the hosting of the inaugural Esports Festival Asia during  tech event COMEX 2019, held in Singapore. Additionally, Sphere Exhibits has committed to an investment of SG$1 million into the festival.With eSports making its first appearance as a medal event at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games this year, Sphere Exhibits aims to introduce eSports to casual gamers and consumers by bringing gaming tournaments to the masses, said a press release. Marketing has reached out to SPH for further comments.Sphere Exhibits chairman Chua Wee Phong said: “COMEX is Singapore’s largest consumer tech show that has continuously reinvented itself over the years to introduce new concepts to consumers such as trade-ins, booth babe contests, and tech showcases. While there have been several eSports tournaments in the past, they have been largely focused on the professional and semi-professional gaming community."According to SPH-owned ST, four tournaments involving six game titles will be held at the festival namely multi-player online battle arena games Arena Of Valor, League Of Legends and Mobile Legends; shooters PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive; and auto-battler Dota Underlords. The company aims to educate the public, especially parents, about eSports.The EFA will be held concurrently with COMEX 201, which targets to draw some 500,000 visitors from 5 to 8 September 2019. EFA meanwhile, expects a crowd of over 1,000 players across Southeast Asia, with the top 200 local and regional gamers participating in the finals or regional qualifiers at COMEX 2019. Held at Suntec Convention Centre, the festival will also showcase community matches as well as gaming products and promotions at the booths.