Home Gaming FFD: Is South African eSports set to explode in 2016?

FFD: Is South African eSports set to explode in 2016?

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Esports

As many of you might know, my interest in eSports is in line with my interest in things like anime, macramé and Morris dancing – that is to say, it borders on non-existent. And yet, yesterday, I found myself actually interested in the future of eSports, particularly within the South Africa context.

That’s largely a result of Telkom’s great big eSports push, which I think they executed perfectly. Last night, at a glitzy event, Telkom officially kicked off its new Digital Gaming League – with the announcement of a R1 Million cash prize pool. Essentially a great big rebrand of the previous Do Gaming League with a tighter focus, the Digital Gaming League is arguably the biggest eSports push we’ve seen in the country.

And what made it work, for me at least, is that it was so professionally done. I’ve seen and heard some grumblings within the local eSports scene that it really isn’t anything new, and that the DGL has always had this sort of sponsorship, along with a lot of other negative rhetoric – but I think Telkom’s tactic here wasn’t to really focus on the finer aspects of eSports itself. Instead, it was pure, perfect marketing – a grab for public perception and mindshare, and it’s worked. People, locally, are talking about eSports more than I’ve seen before.

“The Masters programme will become the pinnacle of eSports in South Africa where eight MGOs will compete for R1 million in cash, the largest prize pool in South African eSports history. At the same time, the DGL will develop the local eSports to bring in new gamers through casual gaming competitions, improved spectator access and increased awareness,” says Enzo Scarcella, Telkom’s chief marketing officer.

“Gaming has seen phenomenal growth over the past few years as players become ever more engaged. We already have more than four million gamers in South Africa. By professionalising the sport and developing new players, we can look forward to seeing more local talent compete on the same footing as international teams,” says Johann Von Backström from the DGL Management Company.

Couple that with the news that diverse financiers with significant backing are putting cash in to local eSports, and it all starts looking pretty rosy.

What do you think? Is all of this going to help the local eSports scene explode this year? Has any of it helped you – the layperson – become a little more excited for local eSports?

 

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Last Updated: January 22, 2016

No Comments

  1. Jan Prins

    January 22, 2016 at 10:36

    MehSperts

    Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    January 22, 2016 at 10:37

    Is South African eSports set to explode in 2016? I hope so.

    Reply

    • Jan Prins

      January 22, 2016 at 10:38

      Michael Bay style? YEAAAHHHH!!!

      Reply

    • RinceThis

      January 22, 2016 at 10:53

      Tehehe.

      Reply

  3. VampyreSquirrel

    January 22, 2016 at 10:38

    I think that if it doesn’t explode in 2016, then it may just implode in 2016 and disappear FOREVERRRRRRRR………

    Reply

  4. The Grand Admiral Chief Prime

    January 22, 2016 at 10:40

    I hope so

    Reply

  5. Ottokie

    January 22, 2016 at 10:41

    I am confused by this whole SA esports thing. Is the Telkom DGL separate from the DGL that MSSA gives the so called “SA colours” for?

    Reply

    • Guild

      January 22, 2016 at 11:23

      DGL was never associated as far as I know with MSSA. MSSA do their own thing which generally is a cock up. DGL was always with Telkom who over the past few years have been growing nicely.

      Reply

  6. The Grand Admiral Chief Prime

    January 22, 2016 at 10:41

    I just hope the asshats that meddle and make things difficult for the players and stealing monies etc will behave

    Reply

  7. RinceThis

    January 22, 2016 at 10:53

    We can only hope and pray no…

    Reply

    • Jan Prins

      January 22, 2016 at 11:08

      Who do you pray to????
      NowIamTrollingAndWillStopSoon

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        January 22, 2016 at 11:10

        Depends on what imaginary cartoon I have just watched 😛

        Reply

        • Jan Prins

          January 22, 2016 at 11:14

          Imaginary cartoon? Get with a real cartoon!

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 22, 2016 at 11:18

            It makes sense from his point of view that cartoons are imaginary if you remember he’s not a real boy.

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:20

            Enjoy that rabbit hole 0_O

          • Jan Prins

            January 22, 2016 at 11:20

            I see. I think…

  8. RinceThis

    January 22, 2016 at 10:53

    Once again Talkom monopolizing stuff.

    Reply

    • Ragnar The Vengeful

      January 22, 2016 at 14:07

      New eSport league sponsored by Telkom… Monopoly!!!

      Reply

  9. Loftus

    January 22, 2016 at 10:53

    No it will not. eSports is a niche market in gaming in a struggling economy like South Africa. The odds are stacked against it to do well.

    Reply

    • Guild

      January 22, 2016 at 11:38

      I don’t think eSports is a niche market. There more people watching eSports tournaments than some World Cups. I do agree that SA is a small market when compared to the traditional sports here. The odds are stacked high against it but it needs to start somewhere. Hopefully this is a start to growing it more.

      Reply

      • Loftus

        January 22, 2016 at 11:53

        eSports is a niche market in South Africa, i will agree with that it might not be in the rest of the world, but here is ZA it is a niche market at best.

        I support your sentiment that it needs to start somewhere and that it grows.

        A problem it faces is economics, not all PC are equal, not everyone has a console, the price of electronics is climbing like mad. And to go full nerd rage lets talk about ZA internet speeds or lack there of.

        For this Sport to grow they are starting it at the wrong place, all the bling without the hard work behind it. Have a strong economy, have a better internet infrastructure. Out of that eSports will grow

        Reply

      • The Sten

        January 22, 2016 at 11:55

        Total number people who will watch vs total number of people who will PAY to watch is the difference here.

        DSTV pretty much sells on its sports coverage. Football/Rugby teams fill out their stadiums. I’ll watch Esports if you put it in front of me, hell i might even enjoy it. But charge me for it and you can GITFS

        Reply

        • Guild

          January 22, 2016 at 12:19

          That’s why all eSports tournaments are live streamed for free on Twitch. They reach more viewers than DSTV can. If you ever watch any of the big eSports tournaments the stadiums are also sold out and packed.
          Since I started watching Netflix this week, I’m cancelling my DSTV. If I ever want to watch a football or rugby game I can go to the pub close by. But I’ve watched more eSports than Sports matches lately.

          Reply

          • The Sten

            January 22, 2016 at 13:20

            My point is that a free to watch audience doesn’t translate into money and therefore growth. The Lol and Dota tournaments in europe are both very far away from south africa both literally and figuratively.

  10. Ghost In The Rift

    January 22, 2016 at 10:54

    Etolls must fall for Esports to rise, i ain’t driving on that roads.

    Reply

    • HairyEwok

      January 22, 2016 at 11:24

      More like #RandMustRise. I don’t think anybody would want to pay for the international travel costs.

      Reply

    • the ultimate opportunist

      January 23, 2016 at 01:44

      hahahahaha

      Reply

  11. The Sten

    January 22, 2016 at 10:55

    Its been on “set to explode” for years now. Can it finally just explode or piss off please?

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      January 22, 2016 at 11:01

      It’s Virtually a Reality.

      Reply

  12. RinceThis

    January 22, 2016 at 10:56

    SO I assume this would be controlled by the MSSA?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 22, 2016 at 10:58

      More like dictated

      Reply

    • Guild

      January 22, 2016 at 11:24

      Nope MSSA has nothing to do with it.

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        January 22, 2016 at 11:25

        But they regulate all ‘mind’ sports in SA don’t they?

        Reply

        • Guild

          January 22, 2016 at 11:27

          They would like to think they do but nope not the DGL.

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:30

            Bit confused. The MSSA are a government body that are supposed to regulate these things. It would be like saying SARU has no sway over a new ruby competition. They would.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 22, 2016 at 11:32

            But as they like to keep pointing out whenever asked any questions, they’re a private sports club, not a government body.

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:33

            Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is an affiliate of the South African Confederation of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and recognised by the Department of Sport and Recreation (SRSA) as the national controlling body in terms of the Sport and Recreation Act of 1998 (as amended).

            That is why I am confused. It says ‘as the national controlling body’…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 22, 2016 at 11:41

            Controlling body means they’re the official SA gov representative for esports, so they can speak in the name of SA and organise SA-approved events when it comes to that. That’s why they get to hand out SA colours.

            Other people can do their own thing, but it’s not “official”.

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 22, 2016 at 11:45

            To add to this, the MSSA can host official events government approved, but they can’t stop independent events.

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:46

            So that would mean that anyone who wins this comp wouldn’t be viable to then enter internationals. Which sucks.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 22, 2016 at 11:47

            Southern Barbarians?

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:48

            Ohhhhhhhhhhh!

          • B4d R0b0t

            January 22, 2016 at 12:23

            They would, just not with national colours. Most events hosted (Dreamhack, ESL) are not focused on nationalities of team but rather the MGO that they are affilciated with, added to that most of the larger MGO’s form teams with players from different countries. This is most noticible in LoL were many of the top teams have players from EU/China/Korea or US/Korea.

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 12:43

            Yeah, that’s what I mean.

  13. Hammersteyn

    January 22, 2016 at 10:57

    Maybe if there are enough professional players? But these would need to be people that make it their careers. Family and job/student commitments must be put aside during training and competitions so there would have to be money to support them, as with real sports like rugby,football and cricket.

    Reply

    • Aries

      January 22, 2016 at 11:24

      Its difficult hence why even though me and my team want to play comp, we cant, we got one guy in matric, one who just graduated from university, and thats not considering all the internet problems we have during the legs, people got work as well, so how do we practice every night and play on Sundays, everyone has different commitments and such, but we made it to 1st div with all that nonsense in BF4

      Reply

    • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

      January 22, 2016 at 11:27

      Dude!! Those are my exact thoughts!! Hahaha!

      Reply

    • The Sten

      January 22, 2016 at 11:32

      Also, there would be no fall back plan if your gaming career doesnt work out. Putting “Can click on people really well” in a video game doesnt really help you on a CV

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        January 22, 2016 at 11:33

        Be perfect for factory assembly lines.

        Reply

      • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

        January 22, 2016 at 11:36

        HAHAHAHAH!!!!!

        Reply

    • Guild

      January 22, 2016 at 11:32

      I would say there are more than enough people who would like to make it their career in SA. But the funding and sponsorship is not there yet. Hopefully this is a jump start to making it a bigger and more acceptable form of entertainment like traditional sports. I know I have watched more eSports last year and so far this year than I did traditional sports. I pretty much watch major world cups and that’s about it now. Internationally eSports is doing better than some of the traditional sports in prize money and viewership. SA is playing a catch up game now

      Reply

    • Juan-Claude Oosthuyse

      January 28, 2016 at 13:53

      Actually it’s not hard at all, did it for a few years, 2 practices a week and playing matches on sundays. That’s probably max 6-8 hours total.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 28, 2016 at 14:10

        Just two practices, doesn’t seem a lot tbh

        Reply

  14. miaau

    January 22, 2016 at 11:04

    For a given definition of explode, sure.

    How do you define “local eSports scene explode this year”

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      January 22, 2016 at 11:25

      I’d suggest one criteria being people who aren’t gamers knowing that it exists. A low bar to be sure, but one I’ve actually encountered.

      Reply

      • The Sten

        January 22, 2016 at 11:27

        I’d suggest there also needs to be a spectator base who are willing to spend money to watch, attend events etc.

        Reply

      • miaau

        January 22, 2016 at 11:29

        Or to not have instant judgement placed on the competitors, for wasting their time with this.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          January 22, 2016 at 11:38

          I mentioned esports to a colleague the other day, she asked me what it was and I said it was professional video gaming.

          Her response was literally “……………that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, it’s like hot dog eating”.

          Reply

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 22, 2016 at 11:43

            I take it that she likes going clubbing etc.? Not to sound like a jerk, but the biggest thing I’ve found is that people like that have way different interests than us gamers…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 22, 2016 at 11:44

            I’m a gamer. I also think it’s stupid & like hot dog eating. Doesn’t mean other people can’t go out & enjoy their thing.

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 22, 2016 at 11:48

            I perceive clubbing as stupid & like hot dog eating, doesn’t mean I’m right to nay say the modern mating rituals of the earthbound human…But I’m glad to admit people have different interests…

          • miaau

            January 22, 2016 at 11:46

            well, all sports and competitions and activities are stupid to those of us that do not understand it or wish to go beyond a first glance. So, snap judgements it is then.

            What truck pulling? Or tree lobbing?

            For example, chess. How many people here would watch famous chess games online? I do. And one day, when the kid and the kid to be are a bit older, I play to play in a few more over the board tournaments. People except chess, because it has been known for many years (centuries), but I do not think they truly understand it or care about it.

            Same thing with eSports, it will take time to be a “common” thing and accepted.

            In a side note, I just wish people would not automatically judge like that, “stupidest thing I have ever heard” is, actually, a pretty big pronouncement.

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:47

            Chess isn’t a sport. It’s a competitive past time.

          • miaau

            January 22, 2016 at 11:49

            Chess is big money for the few Grandmasters and even masters out there. It may not be a sport, but do not underestimate the pull it has. I also think eSports can learn a lot from chess. For example, our small country has a pretty solid chess group, formed into districts. Very well run. Also, not part of MSSA.

            Also, by the definition that Chess is not a sport, is eSports a sport?

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:52

            I think this dude say it best.

            ESPN President John Skipper seems to have put it the best, “It’s not a
            sport — it’s a competition. Chess is a competition. Checkers is a
            competition.”

            I, myself, am an avid gamer. I have been playing
            video games my whole life, and I know firsthand the difference between a
            good and a bad player.

            A good game takes time to learn. It requires practice, timing and strategy to get good at it. This is also true of any sport.

            The
            major difference with video games and sports is of course the
            physicality of sports. A sport requires a person to be in a particular
            physical condition to excel, video games do not.

            Consistently
            playing a sport builds endurance, strength, mind body coordination and
            more depending on the sport, whereas video games might really only
            enhance strategic ability and hand eye coordination (which sports do as
            well).

            Competitive video games do share a lot of the same great features as regular sports.

            Competitive video games require an incredible amount of dedication and concentration, as sports do.

            Many video games teach teamwork and can create life long bonds of friendship, as sports do.

            Video games for some are extremely entertaining to watch, as sports are.

            So why is the physicality so important?

            Simple, to be truly great at a sport, the dedication doesn’t stop by clicking an off switch.

            Both
            gamers and athletes have to practice and perform their skill, but once
            they are done playing or practicing, that’s where it stops.

            To be truly great at a sport, it requires dedication on and off the field. It requires exercise, proper diet and safety.

            There
            are physical risks to sports. Something as simple as a twisted ankle
            could take a person out of a game! This is simply not the case with
            video games.

            Video games require time to master. Somebody who can
            truly compete in a video game should absolutely be recognized for their
            talents, but this is true of any other competition. A sport is
            something that requires physicality.

            A sport is a competition
            that has risks, and requires commitment beyond honing the skills to play
            the sport itself. This is the biggest difference in sports and eSports.

            Although great examples of true and vibrant competitions, eSports
            in their current state can never be considered real sports without the
            same level of physical commitment and risk that athletes have to
            undergo.

            Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to go play more “Destiny.”

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 22, 2016 at 11:48

            Wishing to people to not automatically judge is the stup…. oh.

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:49

            bwahahahahaha

          • miaau

            January 22, 2016 at 11:51

            Sigh, yes, indeed.

            Also, 702 is starting to get me down a bit. “I am not racist but” is a crap way to start a conversation people. Same sort of thing.

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 22, 2016 at 11:53

            I hate race related topics, I always say that we all bleed red…

            Except for fish and a few other things… And possible aliens…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 22, 2016 at 11:55

            I listen to Cape Talk in the car, I love hearing John Maytham destroy some coded racist.

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:46

            And she is right. Fancy that, a womminz who is right?!

    • CongoKyle

      January 22, 2016 at 12:29

      The DGL Masters announcement, and let’s not forget the Orena investment and we haven’t really seen what their plans for the year are yet.

      I think it’s going to be a great year, and indeed explode.

      Reply

  15. RinceThis

    January 22, 2016 at 11:12

    To all the Australians out there… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv3FWCdO0rw

    Reply

    • The Grand Admiral Chief Prime

      January 22, 2016 at 11:13

      Bwaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaha

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        January 22, 2016 at 11:16

        I cannot wait for the movie!

        Reply

        • The Grand Admiral Chief Prime

          January 22, 2016 at 11:25

          Likewise dude!

          Reply

        • The Grand Admiral Chief Prime

          January 22, 2016 at 11:26

          Heroes are so old fashioned, anti-heroes however, hehehe

          Reply

    • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

      January 22, 2016 at 11:16

      HAHAHAHAH!!! “That was a career low for me…” Holy hell, Ryan Reynolds…just Ryan Reynolds…

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        January 22, 2016 at 11:16

        He’s MINE! Back off! Man, he is frigging brilliant.

        Reply

        • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

          January 22, 2016 at 11:17

          What makes him really cool is that he doesn’t mind taking the piss out of himself either, what a guy…

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            January 22, 2016 at 11:19

            Yeah. SO many actors take themselves so frigging seriously.

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            January 22, 2016 at 11:22

            Exactly, and where’s the fun in that? I saw a compilation of Al Bundy quirks the other day… I couldn’t stop laughing…

    • HairyEwok

      January 22, 2016 at 11:28

      From comic to game to movie, Deadpool will always remain awesome!

      Reply

  16. Greylingad[CNFRMD]

    January 22, 2016 at 11:14

    I really hope it does, I don’t want to sound cynical, but if you compare eSports to the physical sports, the forms of rugby and soccer outweigh it by so much that bridging that gap is going to be a tremendous task… I’m going to use a comparison in the SA music industry, the afrikaans one especially, on the one side we have the Kurt Darrens and the Patricia Lewis’s who are pop musicians, bar the fact that they usually perform with backtracks, they usually draw massive crowds of people addicted to the DOOF DOOF factor of their songs… On the other hand you have artists like Laudu Liebenberg from aKing, yes, now they are famous, but they had to work their rear ends off to get there, with the current albums from the top rock bands in SA, we look at great performers and their music is some of the best we’ve seen since Johnny Clegg, and we haven’t even touched Dan Patlansky, the biggest issue is that they all have to be insanely good to make it big, I see the same thing happening in the eSports scene, the teams, unfortunately, have to reach top status before they’re recognised, and even then, they’ll be torn to bits by our critics, much like a Rugby match for the Springboks…

    Reply

    • miaau

      January 22, 2016 at 11:18

      sort of like, once you become my hero, you had better be the best at all times.

      Sort of like, before the last Rugby World Cup, some SA based sports writers were saying the Boks were in with a good chance to win it. No, that was nationalism and fervour, not un-biased reporting (see England just before every single world cup soccer event).

      It is a tough, lonely life at the top and human nature often, subconsciously even, likes to knock them down a bit, to feel better about themselves.

      Also, I hate DOOF, DOOF, Phineas and Ferb are pretty cool though.

      Reply

      • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

        January 22, 2016 at 11:21

        I have been listening to this for a while now, even with it being an Afrikaans song, it’s simply bloody amazingly written…

        Reply

  17. HairyEwok

    January 22, 2016 at 11:20

    Honestly….. No. Were not quite there yet.

    Reply

  18. Gavin Mannion

    January 22, 2016 at 11:23

    I’d like to point out that the official eSports organisation in SA wasn’t even invited to this event… I like to point it out because it makes me laugh. Hopefully the MSSA realise how little they really mean

    Reply

    • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

      January 22, 2016 at 11:24

      HAHAHAHA!!! That is a slap in the face using a building demolisher…

      Reply

    • The Grand Admiral Chief Prime

      January 22, 2016 at 11:25

      I’d like to point out your point to take point against this pointless organization

      Reply

    • RinceThis

      January 22, 2016 at 11:26

      But don’t they, by policy, have some control over this?

      Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        January 22, 2016 at 12:54

        no nothing, it’s a private organisation with the legal power of Telkom..

        Reply

    • Aries

      January 22, 2016 at 11:26

      The gaming community is more organised than people think, thats why we push our own comps better than the MSSA

      Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      January 22, 2016 at 11:31

      LOL!!! That’s brilliant!

      Reply

  19. CongoKyle

    January 22, 2016 at 11:49

    God dammit Geoff, this is my week! Stop stealing my audience.

    On that note, my answer is yes.

    Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      January 22, 2016 at 12:05

      Geoff the eSports guy!

      Reply

      • Guild

        January 22, 2016 at 12:24

        XD hahahaha

        Reply

    • Guild

      January 22, 2016 at 12:25

      Hope you amped budd. I was pretty excited and happy after last night’s announcement.

      Reply

      • CongoKyle

        January 22, 2016 at 12:27

        I am, would have loved to be invited to the event, and considered to cover it as a shoutcaster. But I think I burnt that bridge a long time ago 🙁

        Reply

  20. Greylingad[CNFRMD]

    January 22, 2016 at 12:06

    I suppose another thing to mention is that, because they’re doing this independently, they don’t have to wait for the “speedy” response times from our local regulator, which usually ends up being as fast as unfinished sentences…

    Reply

  21. CongoKyle

    January 22, 2016 at 12:31

    Geoff and Gavin will start paying attention to eSports in 2016. This would be substantial growth which will not receive similar accolades.

    Reply

    • The Grand Admiral Chief Prime

      January 22, 2016 at 12:33

      Hahahaha

      Reply

  22. Ragnar The Vengeful

    January 22, 2016 at 14:05

    If by “explode” you mean “fizzle and die”, then yes.

    Reply

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