Dubai: Fancy yourself the next hot game star? Dubai-based Power League Gaming has launched the PLG Nationals for amateur PlayStation 4 gamers.
Competitions will take place at VOX Cinemas in the UAE, Egypt and Lebanon, and will be broadcast live. Sponsors include Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and PlayStation.
The PLG Nationals will run two seasons a year, and lead on to events such as the PLG Grand Slam and other professional events run by PLG and international and regional partners.
Citing the success of Aram gamers such as Bahrain’s Sayed Hashem, who finished runner up at EVO in Las Vegas last year, PLG founder and managing director John Paul Lacey said, “We have supported these players on a case by case basis and we now need an infrastructure complimenting the industry leaders and partners to solidify the amateur eSports scene, providing a strong base to encourage the correct development of professional eSports.
“You cannot just throw money at gaming and hope you will create what has evolved in other parts of the world in well over a decade, all the pieces need to evolve together to create a healthy environment for competition.”
Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas CEO Cameron Mitchell said Competitive gaming and e-sports were currently worth more than $1 billion in the Middle East.
He added, “We believe that with strategic partners such as PlayStation and PLG, we will be able to seize the many growth opportunities that exist in the market and further strengthen our association with gaming as a cinema exhibitor.”
Robert Fisser, VP and General Manager of PlayStation Middle East, said, “Such events only reinforce our commitment to delivering the best experiences to them at every level.”
League Schedule
Saturday April 29 – Mirdif City Centre (Call of Duty Infinite Warfare / Overwatch)
Saturday May 13 – Mall of Egypt (Call of Duty Infinite Warfare / Overwatch)
Saturday May 20 - Mall of the Emirates (Call of Duty Infinite Warfare / Overwatch / Injustice 2)
Saturday May 27 – Beirut City Center (Call of Duty Infinite Warfare / Overwatch / Injustice 2)
