CYBER game is no child’s play. It is a serious game, at least as far as the finalists of The World Cyber Games (WCG) 2005 Malaysia are concerned.
Their hard work was put to test during a three-day competition held at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
About 2,000 competitors nationwide had gathered for the event, which kicked off on Aug 26.
In addition to the e-sports festival, visitors also enjoyed performances, mini-games, special deals and an exhibition of the latest merchandise.
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The competitors giving their full focus to win the right to represent Malaysia in the World Cyber Games 2005. |
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the level of acceptance of the cyber game had escalated over the years.
“Five years ago the game was associated with social ills.
“But now the level of acceptance has escalated and people can take it and it is now a sports activity classified as mind-olympics,” he said.
He added that the games were highly accepted by students at tertiary level and made an activity on campus.
Ong, however, issued a word of caution.“We must always take note of the games and be careful in nurturing this new game so that it goes on the right track,” he said.
He was speaking at the launch of the WCG 2005 Malaysia Finals on Friday. Also present were WCG 2005 Malaysia national organiser Lynette Yap and Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn Bhd managing director Won Jong-Duk.
Organised by In2 Marketing & Consulting Sdn Bhd, the WGC 2005 Malaysia was sponsored by Samsung. Samsung is also the worldwide sponsor of the event.
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Visitors at the e-sports festival browsing through the exhibition featuring the latestproducts. |
Introduced five years ago, the cyber games have gained popularity among Malaysians. Yap said the online game market in the country had grown by 69% in 2004 compared to the previous year.
She said the cyber games industry was gradually evolving from local network computer games to online games.
“WCG Malaysia has always played an important role in introducing new technology.
“The event itself transcends the games tournament just as our theme “Beyond the Games” suggests,” she said.
She added that the WCG Malaysia organising team’s sole objective was to see gamers as well as non-gamers participate and enjoy themselves
Won said Samsung saw the potential of the World Cyber Games as a healthy means for increasing IT literacy among youths.
He also hoped that the event would continue to act as a stimulant to generate more awareness and appreciation among the young for information communication and technology.
Participants in the WCG 2005 Malaysia took part in five PC games. They were Star-Craft:Brood War, WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne, Counter-Strike: Source, FIFA Soccer 2005 and Need for Speed: Underground 2.
The champions of each game will take home prizes including cash up to RM5,000. They will also represent Malaysia in the WCG 2005 grand finals in Singapore in November and to compete with 700 other finalists from all over the world.
