After an auspicious launch in April, the group that wants to create “the Olympics of esports” is hosting its first ever event next week.
The first event from eGames will take place in the Olympic village in Rio next week, with players from Brazil, the U.K., Mexico, Canada and the U.S. taking part in the initial “showcase” event.
The main focus of the event will be an international Super Smash Bros 4 tournament featuring some top names—Reigning Evo champion Elliot Bastien “Ally” Carroza-Oyarce of Canada, Smash Factor 5 winner Leonardo Lopez “MKLeo” Perez, Larry “Larry Lurr” Holland of the U.S., and J. Miller representing the U.K.
The event, which touts itself as “the pinnacle of competitive gaming,” will also play host to a SMITE tournament with the top local talent invited. The tournament broadcasts are being produced by ESL.
Players will be not be playing for any financial prizes at this—or any—eGames event. Like the traditional Olympics, the group hopes that players will compete simply for national pride and eGames medals.
Chester King, the man behind the eGames initiative, touted the support of the U.K. Government for the event—though what support they have actually provided, financial or otherwise, remains unclear.
According to King the Rio event “launches the eGames concept.” The group intends to stage a full event in four years time in Korea, one week after the closure of the 2020 Olympics.
