With the introduction of the Overwatch Champions Series, esports are moving in a better direction with the seal of Blizzard and EFG.
Following the end of the Overwatch League, Blizzard announced new plans for the competitive Overwatch esports cycle. The company is ending the Overwatch League at the end of the 2023 season. “We will focus on building on our vision for a revitalized esports program,” the Overwatch esports social media team said at the time. “We look forward to sharing more with you as the details are finalized.”
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Those details have now been finalized, and this week Blizzard announced a partnership with ESL Faceit Group (EFG), an esports company owned by Saudi Arabia’s much-talked-about Savvy Games Group. The two companies aim to usher in a “new era of Overwatch 2 esports” in an “open and inclusive competitive ecosystem,” as part of a multi-year agreement. It will be known as the Overwatch Champions Series, or OWCS. “OWCS ushers in a new era for Overwatch esports while honoring the traditions and passion that Overwatch esports has built,” added Craig Levine, co-CEO of EFG.
Details about the regional qualifying matches can be found on the Overwatch 2 website.
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Savvy Gaming Group is a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, an initiative chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The prince, a highly controversial figure, is accused by the CIA of the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. At the same time, his government in Saudi Arabia maintains a notoriously ugly human rights record, with homosexuality still criminalized and punishments ranging from flogging to the death penalty.
The Saudi Arabian government has been gradually increasing its investment in the video game market. Last year, it was reportedly in talks with Swedish conglomerate Embracer, before that deal ultimately fell through.
Source of information: eurogamer.net
