The World Cyber Games or WCG is a global competitive e-Sports event which is managed by the World Cyber Games, Inc., a South Korean company. Its major corporate sponsors are Microsoft and Samsung. The WCG video-gaming events are inspired by traditional sporting events, and as such, WCG endeavors to emulate important sporting tournaments such as the Olympic Games. The sporting event features an official opening ceremony and participants from different countries try to outdo each other to win a spot at the podium. Just like with its brick and mortar counterpart, gold, silver and bronze medals are up for grabs in all the major video-gaming events of the WCG.

WCG – An Overview

To date, the World Cyber Games is by far the largest international e-Sport event in terms of scale and scope and comes with different divisions or preliminaries in several countries. This premier video-gaming tournament is the brainchild of Hank Jeong, CEO of International Cyber Marketing. Samsung was the sole sponsor of the e-sporting event during its early years.

Considered as the Olympics of video-gaming enthusiasts, WCG has its own official logo, motto and mascot. Accredited organizations from each country that participate in the annual event conduct their respective qualifying tournaments at the regional level, and the qualifiers compete in the national level to determine the country’s representatives to the WCG. While the events during the e-Sporting tournament have their designated section for spectators, they can also be monitored via video streams online.

Aside from being a solid medium for tournament gaming, WCG is also a highly effective marketing and business tool for corporate sponsors. For instance, Samsung taps all the available media and ad spaces to create the desired branding and promote their relevant product lines during the sporting event. In addition to this, the company also sets up product stalls and demonstration booths to showcase their range of products and specialties. Advertisers also consider the event as an opportunity to touch-base with young male audiences, who are not usually reached through traditional marketing media.

The WCG also serves as the conference of the gaming industry. It is a gathering of leading personalities in the gaming industry. Technology experts and stakeholders attend the event as resource speakers and participants and share their ideas and opinions about various issues and concerns affecting the industry as well as the future prospects of e-Sports and its relevance and contribution to modern society.