The eGames

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On the 6th April 2016, the eGames tournament was launched at the London Games Festival - held at BAFTA [1]. The eGames is an international gaming tournament where national pride is the prize. The aim is to take home gold for your country.

The Competition

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The initiative is supported by the UK Government and is a not for profit organisation, set up to positively shape the future of competitive eSports gaming. In similarity with other global sporting events, the eGames is a a medal-only competition, meaning there is no prize money, but the opportunity to take pride and joy back to your country. Each country manages a national squad, known as an eTeam of gamers which are male and female and over 18 years old, for example, eTeam Britain, eTeam Canada etc.. The individuals of the eTeam play in both team and individual games. Participants will compete for traditional medals of gold, silver and bronze to display first, second and third places. The first full eGames event will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018 and Tokyo, Japan in 2020. They will not be taking place whilst there are any other major sporting events. During non-eGames years, National Qualifiers will be held domestically to allow participants to compete for their place on the country's eTeam, for example, The British Qualifiers to be held in London, 2017 and The Australia Qualifiers to be held in Melbourne, 2017 [2].

Rio 2016

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eGames have planned a two-day 'pop-up' in Rio during August 2016 to showcase what an eGames event would symbolise [3].

The Location

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Rio is a two-day ‘pop-up’ showcase taking place on the 15th and 16th of August, 2016. The aim is to show the eGames movement to the world, most importantly to mainstream media. The aim is to promote competitive video gaming to the non-gamer population. Wim Stocks, Chief Operating Officer of International eGames Group has been delighted to tell you that: “We are honoured to have been invited by the UK Government to be in the British House to show eGames to the world.” It is something completely special and unique, which resembles exactly what the eGames aims to portray [4].

With the Christ the Redeemer statue located in the above distance, The British House is located at the historic Parque Lage, a public park enveloped within the Copocabana. With the botanical backdrops of the Mata Atlântica as its setting, this building is one of the most recognisable and elecgant buildings in Rio. The British House is the UK’s official residence at Rio 2016. It is a place to endeavour Team GB’s performaces and is used as a showcase for the best of what Britain has to offer.

The official history of the Praque Lage dates back to 1660 where the building became part of the family Rodrigo de Freitas Mello. In 1840, the land was purchased by an English landscape architect, John Thyndale, who designed and planted most of the existing gardens today. Nearly a century later in the 1920s, the land was residence to industrialist Henrique Lage and his wife, Gabriella Besanzoni. In the following years, Lage commissioned the area to be remodelled by an Italian architect, Mario Vodrel. This included two large gates open to the Botanical Garden and a perfect replica of a Roman "palazzo". The interior work of beautiful paintings was done by the works of Salvador Payols Sabaté, completing the graceful look of the mansion. This eclectic character of architecture reflected the spirit of an age where the city’s social life took place in the halls as the Palace of Lage.

The mansion and gardens became a public park in the 1960s, including many walking trails through a subtropical forest, a Visual Arts School and a café. The park continues to captivate visitors due to the bucolic atmosphere of green. Parque Lage is simply an invitation to those who endeavour to explore and want a close contact to nature [5].

The International eGames Committee

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The eGames was formed by the International eGames Committee (IEGC). This was one of the first movements to be supported by the UK government whom endorse the medal only competition.

IEGC has an International Advisory Board to assist with instilling good governance, responsible competitive video gaming and ensuring the competition and National Qualifiers are inclusive and diverse. The Advisory Board will also decide which gaming charities will be donated to [6].

Who are The Advisory Board Members?

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  • Daniel Cossi
  • Veronique Lallier
  • Jude Ower, MBE
  • Andy Payne, OBE
  • Andrew Smith
  • Dr Jo Twist [7]

Support

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The IEGC regard with great respect the support from Ed Vaizey, MP, Minister for Culture and Jules Robinson, Head of Business Development, Pinewood Studios who are both enthused to excel the eSporting Industry in the UK [8].

References

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  1. ^ "The International eGames Committee launches a brand new event: The eGames". eGames. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  2. ^ "The Competition". eGames. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  3. ^ "RIO DE JANEIRO eGames showcase". eGames. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  4. ^ "RIO DE JANEIRO Location". eGames. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  5. ^ "History". EAV Parque Lage. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  6. ^ "THE IEGC". eGames. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  7. ^ "THE IEGC Advisory Board Members". eGames.org. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  8. ^ "THE IEGC Support". eGames. Retrieved 8 July 2016.