Esports are hot right now, and with good reason. They’re a thrill to watch and a challenge to play, and they have a passionate following all over the world. If you’re interested in getting into esports in Malaysia is a great place to start. There’s already an established scene here, and the country is only continuing to grow in popularity. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what Esports are and how you can get involved in Malaysia’s thriving scene. We’ll also provide tips on how to set up your own Esports team and make the most of your time spent watching or playing them.
Table of Contents
Esports in Malaysia
Esports in Malaysia is growing at an unprecedented rate. With the right infrastructure in place and a supportive government, esports is primed to become a major force in Malaysian entertainment.
The Malaysian Esports Association (MEA) was founded in February of this year with the aim of promoting esports within the country. The association currently has over 1,000 members and boasts a range of organisations that support its cause including tournament organisers, sponsors, and broadcasters. The MEA is also working on setting up a national league for esports which is expected to be launched by the end of 2017.
In terms of viewership, Malaysia has been fairly successful so far. In August 2016, Justin Wong won the first ever Grand Finals of MSI Masters Gaming Arena (MSI MGA) which was broadcast live on RTM TV channel. Since then, other tournaments such as the World Cyber Games (WCS) have seen significant viewership growth in Malaysia with some matches reaching over 100,000 viewers. This indicates that there is definitely demand for high-quality esports betting content in Malaysia.
However, quality isn’t the only thing needed to make success in esports in Malaysia. Infrastructure is also crucial if we want to see more local players participating in international tournaments and building a fanbase locally. Currently there are few dedicated gaming centres in Malaysia which means aspiring pros often have to travel outside of the country to train and compete. Additionally, there are still few broadcast partners willing to dedicate time and resources to promote esports in Malaysia. This is likely to change as the industry grows, but for now there is a lot of work to be done.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that esports in Malaysia is on the rise and with the right support it has the potential to become a major force in Malaysian entertainment.
The Evolution of Esports
Esports is slowly but surely making its way from consoles to PCs. It wasn’t too long ago where esports were predominantly played on console platforms such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but more people are now starting to invest in PC gaming hardware. This is because PC gaming offers a much more customizable experience than console gaming does.
One of the main reasons why esports have shifted towards PC gaming is due to tournament organizers’ preference for accommodating a wider range of players on their platforms. With almost every game imaginable now having dedicated competitive modes, it’s easier for tournaments to offer cash prizes and recognition outside of traditional esports circuits.
As the scene grows, there will be even more opportunities for Malaysian gamers to take part in various global tournaments. If you’re interested in getting involved, start by finding local events or leagues that are happening near you and register with the appropriate organizer.
Malaysian Esports Scene
Esports in Malaysia have seen a rapid growth since the early days of PC gaming. With console gaming growing slowly, esports betting has been a great avenue for Malaysian gamers to showcase their skills. In 2017, there were over 100 participants in the national championships, with prizes totalling over RM200,000. The following year saw even more growth, with 512 participants and prizes totalling RM500,000.
One of the biggest factors behind this growth is the popularity of online streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. Many Malaysian gamers use these platforms to stream their gameplay and attract viewers from all over the world. This not only brings in financial rewards, but also empowers Malaysian gamers to share their skills with a wider audience.
The Malaysian Esports Federation (MESF) was founded in 2016 with the aim of promoting esports in Malaysia and developing local talent. MESF runs tournaments across various games including League of Legends, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm and CS:GO. Recently, they have started sponsoring teams to compete in international leagues such as Premier League Gaming (PLG), DreamHack Open Austin and IEM Katowice.
With this surge in popularity comes a rise in anti-competitive behaviour. Some players are known for playing multiple accounts simultaneously to gain an unfair advantage over their opponents. MESF has responded by introducing new rules such as banning players from competing for six months if they are found guilty of cheating or collusion. However, despite these measures, esports in Malaysia remains a fiercely competitive arena.
Conclusion
Esports is quickly becoming a popular pastime in Malaysia, and the country has some of the best players in the world. With so much interest in esports in Malaysia, it’s no wonder that major companies are getting involved. A few years ago, only hardcore gamers would have been interested in esports; now, thanks to streaming services like Twitch and YouTube, even non-gamers are able to follow competitions and see just how competitive gaming can be. If you’re looking for an exciting new way to spend your free time, check out some of the top teams of esports in Malaysia and see who comes out on top!