Thursday 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 World Cyber Games 2008.
Starting tomorrow 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%.
ENDS
Media welcome at the event. A media briefing will be held at 11.00am on Friday 11 July. Please register your interest by contacting Angely Grecia, 021 303 403 or Susan Baikie, 027 320 2770.
Gates open to the public and competitors at 12.00pm on Friday.
