Razer announced today that they have become the official esports partner of SEA Games 2019. This signifies esports’ recognition as a medal sport for the first time in history.

The announcement marks a new milestone for Razer in their quest to boost the global status of esports. The company has provided hardware for numerous esports tournaments throughout the years. Their activities made Razer one of the most trusted brands for high-performance hardware.

In addition, the recognition of esports as a medal sport marks a significant step in legitimizing esports as a world class sport. Today, the genre is the entertainment of choice among the younger generations as statistics show a big growth in the industry.

Razer as the official partner

As the official esports partner, Razer holds the responsibility of providing the event with their gaming hardware, software and services. This includes organizing discussions between game partners and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PhilSGOC). Furthermore, Razer will be supporting the final crop of Philippine esports athlete representing the country for the finals.

“Esports has been the essence of Razer ever since we were founded, and we have supported countless global events, tournaments, teams, and athletes over the past decade and a half,” said Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan. “The sportsmanship and fighting spirit seen in esports is no less than that of other sports, and we’ve fought hard for its inclusion in an international sporting event like the SEA Games 2019.”

Games planned for SEA Games 2019

Lastly, the organizers have planned a diverse lineup of games for the SEA Games. Both Razer and the PhilSGOC are currently in talks with some of the biggest names in gaming. At the moment, they have confirmed that Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will feature at the SEA Games 2019. The game’s inclusion is expected due to its immense popularity in Southeast Asia. Expect announcements of other games in the coming months.

Future of esports in sporting events

If esports in the SEA Games becomes successful, it opens up new opportunities for other event organizers to host esports tournaments. On the other hand, the availability of esports in the SEA Games may be a sign that the genre may feature in bigger events like the Olympics or Asian Games. Previously, the Asian Games 2022 confirmed the availability of esports before the Olympic Council put in on hold for deliberation.

Interested parties can visit Razer’s SEA Games page for more info and updates.