After setting international standards for UAE’s online gaming industry, Samsung Electronics, the global technology innovator, along with eCompany, the Internet Service and ICT powerhouse of Etisalat, today announced its plans to kick off the Olympics of the cyber gaming community, the ‘World Cyber Games 2005’, in UAE. Continuing in its three-year long tradition, since the first cyber gaming championship took place in UAE, this year again Samsung will host the UAE round in alliance with its local partner eCompany’s online gaming service engine www.mplayer-arabia.com.
“Samsung is committed to promoting a digital entertainment culture that promotes harmony and fun for the world’s youth. The World Cyber Games is the foundation for such a lifestyle and we are proud to support the Olympic of cyber gaming globally, as well as in UAE,” said Mr. K. H. Koh, General Manager, IT Division, Samsung Gulf Electronics.
“By organising the UAE leg of the World Cyber gaming championship, Samsung has not only set a new benchmark for the gaming industry in Middle East, but has also paved the way for future gaming competitions as well as, further expanded the gaming community in the region.”
The 3-week tournament is open not only to UAE nationals but to all UAE residents above the age of 15 and aims to attract over 1000 gaming enthusiasts to compete against each other in the popular ‘Counter-Strike’ game.
“Mplayer Arabia is going from strength to strength due to the increased popularity of online gaming in the region,” said Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, General Manager -eCompany, the Internet services and ICT powerhouse of Etisalat.
“Our partnership with Samsung has been extremely fruitful and we have been extremely pleased with the response of the online gaming community to this landmark event. The strong growth in broadband in the UAE, which has been a prime focus of eCompany, has been instrumental in giving a boost to talented gamers in the country. The opportunity to compete and represent their country at a global level in a unique and challenging event of this nature will be welcomed by the gaming community in the UAE during the 2005 edition of this competition,” added Mr. Julfar.
The tournament will be played in two stages. The first stage, which begins on the 2nd of September, will be held online everyday at www.mplayer-arabia.com for a period of two weeks. Online games will be played between two teams with five players on each side under the supervision of a moderator from Mplayer Arabia. In the second stage the qualifying teams will be invited to play at an exclusively designed cyber stadium between the 15th to the 17th of September 2005.
The final round is scheduled to take place in Singapore and will witness more than 800 gamers from over 70 countries competing to win the coveted ‘World Cyber Games 2005’ championship.
“Recognising the importance of building a healthy culture of gaming, a new communication channel of digital generation, and of marketing to the new generation who are early adopters of high-tech products, we have sponsored and supported the WCG tournament since its inception.” Mr. Koh concluded.
With Samsung’s support, the WCG launched in 2000 with a preliminary event called the World Cyber Challenge, was first held officially in 2001 as the World Cyber Games. Over the last five years the World Cyber Games has grown to be the world’s largest festival for digital entertainment, pitching entrants from over 70 countries around the world into a battle of wits, skill and endurance.
Synergies can be drawn to football and other sporting codes as the popularity of gaming grows. Gaming is fast becoming the centre stage for billions of spectators worldwide’ and the figures are growing. This year more than one million gaming lovers are expected to participate in this year’s online and offline events through WCG national preliminaries. The World Cyber Games (WCG) is the world’s biggest and greatest computer gaming event.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Middle East and Africa (MEA) is headquartered in Dubai. In line with its global vision of ‘Digital Convergence,’ the company markets its digital devices portfolio through four product divisions: Handheld products (HHP), Information Technology (IT), Home Appliances (HA) and Audio-Visual (AV). Through a network of over 40 distributors, Samsung MEA looks after the distribution of its digital devices across the Middle East and Africa region. With annual revenues in 2004 region reaching US$2.7 billion, the company has also invested in a service subsidiary, located in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai. The 4608-sq.mts service facility recently completed nine years and is among the largest within the GCC countries.
About eCompany
eCompany, Etisalat’s e-powerhouse, is the leading provider of Internet services & ICT solutions for finance, retail, business and government sectors. The intent of eCompany is to strengthen relationships with customers and partners and provide them with high-value solutions through a single point of contact. It has the facilities to provide a complete portfolio of Internet offerings, value added services, consulting and project management. eCompany’s vision is to be the customer’s first choice for Internet services and e-business solutions in the region.
