Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) has finally arrived in India. This major Lan gaming event is currently being held in India by Indiatimes and will continue till June 10. Indiatimes has joined with ESWC to bring the Electronic Sports World Cup to India.
The games in ESWC India competitions are Counter Strike, Quake, Warcraft, Trackmania Nations, Pro Evolution Soccer 5. ESWC India is be held in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Indore, Pune, Chennai and Ahmedabad.
ESWC is offering prize money of more than US $400,000 a whooping 1.68 crore rupees. In four years, both the prize money as well as the participation for ESWC has doubled from US $156,000 to US $400,000 and from 380 to 800 gamers taking part in this Lan gaming event.
ESWC estimated to have 40,000 live spectators, apart from millions online keenly watch and keep tabs on every minute of its coverage. The participation, prize money and spectator count qualify ESWC as nothing less than the Olympics of e-sports.
Indiatimes has brought the ESWC to India for the first time this year. Indiatimes has also tied-up with gaming cafes in India to host the prelims in nine cities. The Indian chapter of ESWC promises to culminate in a nail-biting final in Delhi.
Dinesh Wadhawan, MD & CEO, Times Internet, “The Electronic Sports World Cup, the world’s most popular gaming event, which we have brought to India, will put the country on the world gaming map.
The online gaming community in India is increasing by the second, with more and more gamers making a beeline for the nearest mobile phone or PC. Industry figures indicate the expected Indian gaming community size will reach 100,000 by next year. With major players such as telcos and gaming companies entering the Indian online gaming market, plus India being a hub for game development and animation and Indian gamers ranging from 7 to 40 years.
Wadhawan said, “Indiatimes has always been the pioneer in spotting trends and delivering content that will be of infotainment value to young India. Our gaming initiative continues this tradition and will bring together the rapidly growing online and mobile gaming community in India is going to hit US $210 million in online gaming revenues by 2010.
ESWC India participants stand to win prizes more than Rs. 25 Lakhs sponsored by NVIDIA amongst others.
10 winners from ESWC India will represent India in Grand Finale, which will take place in Paris.