EnglishGulf countries are determined to make their mark in the world of sports, even in the virtual arena. The assault is comprehensive, and the amounts at stake are impossible to match or refuse. Saudi Arabia has announced that it will host an annual esports World Cup starting in 2024, which will bring together "the most popular games in the world (...) and offer the largest prize pool in esports history" in this field, according to AFP. "The Esports World Cup is a natural step in Saudi Arabia's project to become the world's leading center for video games and esports," said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to the organizers, the tournament "will include the most popular games in the world, spanning all genres, and will offer the largest prize pool in esports history." Details about the upcoming World Cup will be announced early next year. The first edition of this global esports competition is expected to take place in Riyadh next summer, replacing the Gamers8 festival, which offered a total prize pool of $45 million this year. Last year, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a $38 billion investment strategy in the Savvy Games group, specialized in gaming and esports, and owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. The goal is to create 39,000 jobs related to esports by 2030. It's clear that Saudi Arabia has a comprehensive strategy related to investments in the sports sector, through which it gains notoriety and addresses some image-related issues.
Petrodollars enter the world of video games
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English Section / 25 octombrie 2023
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