It’s game on for NZ’s gaming elite

It’s game on for NZ’s gaming elite

Gamers from all over New Zealand will be converging on Auckland this weekend for a chance to compete against the world’s best.

Starting this Friday at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, the New Zealand World Cyber Games will immerse the gamers in their virtual world around the clock, over three days, for a chance to represent New Zealand. For players of eSports (competitive video gaming) the World Cyber Games is the equivalent of the Olympic Games.

xLAN Limited World Cyber Games New Zealand Strategic Partner Managing Director Susan Baikie, says the top gamers from New Zealand’s qualifier have the chance to compete in the World Cyber Games Grand Final where more than 1.5 million gamers from 74 countries compete to win approximately NZ$3.6m in prize money.

The World Cyber Games Qualifier this weekend will be a unique spectacle, with the very best of cyber-gaming on display in a highly charged environment, game demonstrations and trials to play, along with the legendary Food Eating Competition. We expect up to 5,000 spectators at this great three day event. It’s free for spectators and a great event to take your children to over the school holidays.

Gamers this weekend will be competing in, Guitar Hero World Tour (XBOX360), Virtua Fighter 5 (XBOX360), TrackMania Nations Forever (PC), CounterStrike: 1.6 (PC), WarCraft III Frozen Throne (PC) Street Fighter 5 (XBOX360), Act and Dress Like a Rockstar Guitar Hero 3 (XBOX360)
Call Of Duty 4 (PC), Freeware Gaming Marathon (PC), SpamTin Memorial CounterStrike: Source (PC), Team Fortress 2 (PC), Gears of War 2 (XBOX360), Halo 3 (XBOX360), Forza 2 (XBOX360), Left for Dead (PC), Steel Series CSS 1v1 Female (PC), Food Eating and Modding Competition.

More than $50,000 worth of prizes provided by Worldwide sponsor Samsung Electronics and New Zealand major sponsor TelstraClear, Xbox 360, Windows7, SteelSeries, PB Technologies, Logitech, EA New Zealand, CoolerMaster, Sennheiser and Demon Energy are up for grabs. Other partners include Game Console (Official Media), The Edge (Official Radio Station).

The demand for eSports content is growing globally at a huge rate. Worldwide, more than NZ$50.9 billion was spent on video games (excluding hardware) in 2008, up 20% on 2007 sales. Compare that to the worldwide sales of DVDs and Blu-ray movies, which fell 6% in 2008 to NZ$46.2 billion. In New Zealand last year more than NZ$100 million was spent. Even President Obama realised the importance of the video game industry, using in game advertising during his presidential campaign.

ENDS

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