The worlds of esports and blockchain will collide later this month at BroadcastAsia2018 when blockchain platform WeOne launches a new esports tournament—the Southeast Asian League (SEAL).
WeOne is working to build a decentralized digital economy supporting the esports ecosystem through its Chakra token. From June 26-28, SEAL will feature Blizzard’s Hearthstone, an online collectible card game based in the Warcraft universe. WeOne is also offering the opportunity to tour the production of the tournament with a peek at the blockchain technology it’s using to support it.
“It is a perfect choice to launch SEAL in Singapore, our home country. We are passionate in building a vibrant and vivacious esports community,” said WeOne CEO Leo Kwek.
Compared to the giant prizes in some esports tournaments, SEAL will be relatively low-key. Players will compete for small cash prizes of SGD$2,500 (about $1,900). But Southeast Asia is home to a rapidly growing esports fan base that is already close to 10 million gamers, and there is potential for SEAL or WeOne to become much bigger. In four years time, the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, will become the first major sports competition to feature competitive esports, with actual medals on the line.
“Asia is earmarked for exponential growth for the esports industry,” said Calvin Koh, assistant project director for BroadcastAsia, UBM, in a statement. UBM is organizing Broadcast Asia. “Nothing beats the thrill of being at a sporting event up close, and we are confident that the tournament will elevate both event and attendee experiences at BroadcastAsia to a whole new level.”