BBC Newsbeat
Crew LiquidThe second Esports World Cup (EWC) has begun in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Over the following seven weeks, groups from all over the world will compete throughout 25 video games together with Name of Obligation, League of Legends and EA Sports activities FC (EA FC).
Up for grabs is a share of $70m (£50m).
There are prizes for people and groups however, regardless of the event’s title, gamers do not compete for his or her nations.
Most are members of organisations comparable to Crew Liquid, one of many world’s greatest esports squads.
BBC Newsbeat went behind the scenes at their HQ to seek out out why the EWC is so vital to them, and why they really feel they cannot ignore the controversial contest.
Positioned in Utrecht within the Netherlands, Crew Liquid’s base is an element workplace, half online game arcade and half luxurious scholar lodging.
There are two rooms the place team-mates can compete head-to-head or on-line, and streaming cubicles the place they will broadcast dwell to followers on Twitch.
A lot of Liquid’s prime gamers dwell and prepare within the constructing, the place an on-site chef offers three meals a day, all of them designed to spice up focus and response instances.
When play is figure and work is play it is vital to tell apart between the 2, and members inform Newsbeat they spend about eight hours a day coaching within the run-up to main competitions.
A kind of is Levi de Weerd.
Like many others he received into EA FC (previously referred to as Fifa) as a toddler.
Now aged 21, he is made enjoying in opposition to the most effective in opposition to the world right into a profession.
He says being a part of Crew Liquid will get him entry to the high-spec amenities and skilled coaches.
“We have now a gameplay coach, we’re analysing video games from tournaments up to now and in pleasant video games the place we attempt issues out. We have now efficiency coaches and psychological coaches too,” he says.
Being in a single place, he says, is extra vital than you may assume.
“I believe it is vital to have a great surroundings with coaches, with gamers and workers to get a great chemistry”, he says.
Getty PicturesAs a result of EWC opponents do not symbolize their nations, groups are in a position to usher in expertise from all over the world.
YanYa, a part of Crew Liquid’s Apex Legends squad, joined from his residence nation of Mexico.
He says the EWC is “the most effective feeling on the earth since you are enjoying the most effective gamers”.
“You get loads of pleasure. You get loads of adrenaline,” he says.
Crew Liquid want to one-up their efficiency final yr, after they completed second total behind Saudi aspect Crew Falcons.
YanYa insists that does not have an effect on him, although.
“I do not really feel strain, I really feel assured,” he says. “We have been practising so much.”
Crew LiquidParticular person efficiency is a key a part of the EWC and there are huge money prizes for successful gamers.
However there are additionally particular bonuses for the membership championship – the crew that wins essentially the most occasions total will get $7m (£5m).
Extra gamers means an opportunity to compete in additional occasions, and a higher likelihood of netting that prime prize.
Levi is a reasonably new member of Crew Liquid, which he joined when his former aspect was absorbed into it.
Consolidation – larger esports groups swallowing smaller ones – and mergers have grow to be extra widespread, and never simply due to the prizes up for grabs.
A number of esports organisations have gone bust in recent times after an enormous funding growth within the scene fizzled out.
Crew Liquid’s founder and co-CEO Victor Goosens says maintaining the cash coming in is extra vital than ever.
Crew LiquidWhereas prize cash is not every little thing, Victor says the EWC is financially vital for Crew Liquid.
“It is one other supply we are able to plan round and challenge our yr for and that permits us to construct the corporate and set up ourselves as a sustainable esports organisation”, he says.
He says the crew is “bold” with its plans to win the membership championship, after putting second final yr.
Victor admits it’s a necessity to compete in as many occasions as attainable to be able to take the highest spot, however that “it isn’t price increasing in case your core rosters aren’t already nice”.
You want to entice the most effective expertise.
So when on-line chess was added as an occasion at this yr’s Esports World Cup, Crew Liquid signed up the world’s prime chess grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.
ActivisionSome esports followers have been important of groups participating in an occasion hosted, and largely funded, by Saudi Arabia.
The dominion has been accused of quite a few human rights violations and has strict legal guidelines proscribing what ladies can do.
Like different Center East states it has been closely criticised for its anti-LGBT legal guidelines – homosexuality is punishable by dying.
It is closely invested tens of millions into sport, video video games and esports, which critics argue is an try to spice up its public picture.
There was backlash.
Particular person gamers have chosen to not take part, comparable to Avenue Fighter 6 professional Chris CCH, who declined a spot at this year’s contest after qualifying by way of a partnered occasion.
However, given its ever-growing ties to esports, he admitted that avoiding any Saudi-linked contests altogether would have made it virtually inconceivable for him to hold on competing.
Victor says it is a “delicate and tough scenario to navigate” for Crew Liquid, which has publicly supported homosexual rights.
“We have been very outspoken that we imagine in esports for all,” says Victor.
“So there is a contradiction. However we imagine that if we need to be round in 5 or ten years’ time we have to play on the EWC.”
