image source, Team Liquid
- Author, Andrew Rogers
- Role, BBC Newsbeat
The esports World Cup boss has defended the decision to hold the event in Saudi Arabia.
Hundreds of competitors gathered in Riyadh to compete in the eight-week tournament for a share of the $60m (£47.1m) prize money sponsored by the Arab country.
However, the massive competition has divided players, streamers and fans due to its being held in Saudi Arabia, particularly its stance on LGBT rights.
Critics say the World Cup is an example of “sportswashing” and the wealthy country invests heavily in major events to distract from its human rights record.
Esports World Cup founder Ralph Reichert spoke to BBC Newsbeat, saying he wanted to reassure LGBT fans and players traveling to the event due to concerns about their safety in Saudi Arabia.
“Everyone can participate in the competition and no one will be discriminated against. That’s a promise we can make.”
But he added: “In every country in the world, there are different local customs and cultural norms, which you have to follow.
“So what we’re saying to everybody is, don’t be blunt.
“Act local to respect the local culture. And I think that’s fair. It’s something that happens all over the world.”
‘All welcome’
Some players refused to take part in the World Cup and other big names in the esports community opposed the event.
However, thousands of fans are expected to attend in person, and many more are set to watch the contests streamed live on YouTube and Twitch.
Ralf, who has 27 years of competitive gaming experience, says he believes the event will be good for esports.
There has been a downturn in the industry after booming during the pandemic, with teams and tournaments shutting down due to lack of funds.
He told Newsbeat that he hopes having so many games in one place will garner more fans.
“We can bring fans from all over the world to come together for one thing and cross-fertilize in all these games,” he said.
“Bringing it mainstream, global recognition is probably the only chance we have.”
Team Liquid, one of the biggest esports teams in the world, is participating in the competition.
On the first day of the tournament, the team’s players competed in the official Rainbow Pride kit to show support for the LGBT community.
Team Liquid CEO Steve Arhancet told BBC Newsbeat that weighing up whether to take part was “quite a dilemma and a challenge for us”.
“Team Liquid is rooted in the values of inclusion,” he said.
“So how do we continue to operate with our values in an area of the world that is in such intense conflict and with very egregious human rights abuses?”
Steve said the group ultimately decided it was important to come forward and use the pageant as a platform to show their support for LGBT people.
As a gay man, Steve said it’s personally important to him and many other players.
One in five players identify as LGBT, according to a recent survey produced by LGBT advocacy group GLAAD and polling firm Nielsen.
“Maybe there are some gay or queer players who will watch and see Team Liquid wearing Pride colors where that representation has never been seen before,” Steve said.
“These are the voices we need”
It’s a view shared by one of the UK’s top esports players, Emma, aka Emzi online.
Won gold for Northern Ireland in eFootball at the 2022 Commonwealth esports Championship.
In her view, it is a shame that so many players have chosen to boycott the competition.
“I feel like those are the voices we need out there,” Emzi said.
“The esports World Cup will continue whether we like it or not.”
As a trans woman, Emma says she thinks it’s especially important for players like her to attend and see them, even if this time she’s just watching.
“I’m the loudest person shouting for trans rights and LGBT rights,” she says.
Emma says the location shouldn’t get in the way of the opportunities she believes will arise from the massive new event.
“Not welcome”
Despite the positivity of some, there are still many who remain skeptical.
Emi, also known as CaptainFluke online, is one of the well-known esports hosts who has publicly stated her opposition to the World Cup being held in Saudi Arabia.
He thinks Ralph’s promise that everyone is welcome is sincere, but he doesn’t think he can guarantee anyone’s safety.
“They can’t make that statement against the level of authority that is over them,” Emi says.
“The risk is unfortunately not something I think they can control.”
Amy, a trans woman, says her friends have asked her advice on whether or not to attend the event, and stresses that she understands why many chose to attend.
But in her view, holding the event in Saudi Arabia made LGBT people feel “isolated”.
“You feel removed from something that you only have passion and love for,” he said.
“This isolation is horrible.
“Feeling like this is a celebration of all things esports, but you’re not welcome.
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