-
Dazzling closing ceremony for Grand Award winners, after more than 1,000 participants battle it out at Alfaisal University in Riyadh to develop a game prototype from scratch
RIYADH (Saudi Arabia)
Gamers8, the biggest esports and gaming event worldwide, concluded on Thursday (August 25, 2022) and marked the biggest Gameathon on the planet.
The week-long innovative competition, similar to a hackathon, saw more than 1,000 participants battle it out at Alfaisal University in Riyadh to develop a game prototype from scratch.
Gameathon is founded on the premise that – in today’s digitally connected world – individuals can come together, be creative, exchange experiences, and express themselves by utilizing video games as a common language. And so it proved among the competitors at the Gamers8 Gameathon in Riyadh, with some incredibly innovative designs vying for the top award.
With more than 100 winners from 10 different tracks of the competition, the Grand Award champions – each receiving a total of SAR100,000 from the total SAR2 million prize pool at the spectacular closing ceremony – were:
Grand Award 1: Project PLADA via Team ADA, with an excellent Games in Sport creation
Grand Award 2: Hit and Roll via Fahy Studios, with their imaginative Track 9 production
Grand Award 3: Reflection via Qindeel Studios & KSU & Alfaisal, with a virtual reality presentation for post-stroke rehabilitation
Grand Award 4: Kingdom Surfer via UpDown Studio, with their vivid Kingdom Surfer creation
Turki Al Fawzan, Chief Executive Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Developing all levels of competitive gamers, starting with the grassroots community level, is a crucial part of the work of the Saudi Esports Federation. Innovative events such as Gameathon – which we were delighted to see was so well received by participants of various ages and backgrounds – are imperative for the growth of gaming and esports in Saudi Arabia. And doing all this while providing the biggest Gameathon in the world at the same time was immensely satisfying. Thank you to all those who participated, and a special mention to the 100 volunteers who helped put on such a memorable time for all.”
Gamers8, featuring elite esports, big-name concerts, community gaming, and over 1,000 activities and attractions, such as comedy, cosplay, magic shows, and much more, runs until Thursday, September 8 at Boulevard Riyadh City. Further details, including ticket sales, are available on the event website.
About SEF:
The Saudi Esports Federation is the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia.
The federation’s activities are categorized into two complementary streams. The first stream works to develop all levels of competitive gamers, starting with the grassroots community level and moving up to professional esports athletes that can achieve global excellence. The second stream works to develop the entire gaming/esports value chain by catalyzing the industry and enabling talent.
Since its establishment in late 2017, the federation has organized multiple world-class national and international tournaments and events, attracted investment from local private sector actors and worked with international developers on opportunities in the Saudi market.
About Gamers8:
Gamers8, from the creators of Gamers Without Borders, is a global gaming and esports festival with a mission to blur the lines between what’s physical and what’s virtual. Established to bring the virtual world of gaming and esports out into the physical realm of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Gamers8 will be held for eight weeks this summer from July 14.
Offering elite and competitive tournaments, entertainment, activities and attractions, incredible music concerts and shows, plus more, Gamers8 concludes with a gaming and esports forum that brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.
The elite gaming competitions will host the biggest esports teams in the world across five different titles with a total prize pool of $15 million, all hosted in a state of the art, purpose-built venue at Boulevard Riyadh City.
Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, the event is being brought by a series of partners including Mastercard, SAVVY Gaming Group, ESL FACEIT, Spotify, and Aramco, each collaborating to provide gamers around the world an experience like no other.
