ML, AOV, Starcraft part of eSports games in SEAG '19

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Contrary to an earlier report, Mobile Legends, Arena of Valor, and Starcraft made the cut in the initial shortlist of the titles that will be played in the first Southeast Asian Games eSports event next year.

NBA 2K and Hearthstone were reportedly included in the shortlist.

But in a statement on Friday, the said two titles were not in the five games that were announced for the event.

Defense of the Ancients 2 will headline the first ever SEAG eSports event.

The globally popular 5-on-5 computer game is expected to be the main attraction of the SEA Games eSports tournament, where a total of six gold medals can be won.

Also making the cut is Tekken 7, the lone console game named to the shortlist released on Friday.

The inclusion of ML to the shortlist was expected as its developer, Moonton, was tapped as one of the sponsors of the SEA Games eSports event.

The shortlist was made after Razer, the main sponsor of the SEA Games eSports event, and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee looked at the diversity of the titles, the popularity of them, and strategic backbone for a certain individual or team to take a win.

However, NBA 2K, which can be played on a gaming console, can still make the cut as Razer and PHISGOC are still deliberating on the other  console game that will be inserted to the event.

Also, the said event will be gender-inclusive, that is, the national teams can be made up of a mix of male and female gamers.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno