With CPL, ESWC behind the eSports scene, the next major event is on the horizon. Singapore will place host to the 2005 WCG Grand Finals, which runs November 16th-20th. Today though, the focus is on 2006 as WCG announced the Grand Finals would take place in Monza, Italy.
Monza beat out three other locations to win host city of the 2006 against Sydney, Australia, Cancun, Mexico and Shanghai, China. Italy was a surprise selection as Sydney had been talked about as a 2005 host city and was expected to be a favorite for 2006. Monza is located near Milan in the Lombardy province of Italy.
"Our City Administration is deeply interested in any event related to the younger generation and in which youth are involved with sport and cultural activities. That's why we are thrilled and greatly honored that Monza has been chosen as the host city for the world's largest e-Sports event next year," said Mr. Michele Faglia, Mayor of Monza. "Being the first European City to host the World Cyber Games Grand Final will help us strengthen the relationship between the young generation and these new electronic activities."
According to the WCG accessibility from the players' village to the Autodromo cultural and shopping facilities, security and Monza's advanced IT infrastructure as a business hub in the Europe provided the bases for its selection as the host city in 2006. Italy’s representation to this year’s WCG Grand Final will be 17 players including one CS team. WCG expects to receive as much as 1 million gamers to participate in its Global event from online, local, regional and national competitions .
WORLD CYBER GAMES SELECTS MONZA, ITALY AS HOST CITY FOR 2006 GRAND FINAL
- Monza, Italy selected as the first European city in competitive pitch against three cities
- World Cyber Games brings the Grand Final to European gamers and e-Sports fans
(Monza, August 3, 2005) The World Cyber Games Committee (Co-chairmen
Dong-chea Chung and Jong-yong Yun) announced today that Monza, Italy -
Famous for its Formula One racing circuit - was selected as the host city for the 2006 World Cyber Games Grand Final - the world's largest computer and video game festival.
Located in northeast Milan, Monza is the third largest city in the Lombardy province of Italy. Monza is known as the economic, industrial and administrative center of the Brianza sub-region, supporting a textile industry and a publishing trade. It is expected that up to 800 of the world's most elite gamers will descend on Monza in 2006 to participate in the world's most prestigious e-Sports competition and enjoy a well-rounded cultural festival designed to advance cultural and social harmony.
"Our City Administration is deeply interested in any event related to the younger generation and in which youth are involved with sport and cultural activities. That's why we are thrilled and greatly honored that Monza has been chosen as the host city for the world's largest e-Sports event next year," said Mr. Michele Faglia, Mayor of Monza. "Being the first European City to host the World Cyber Games Grand Final will help us strengthen the relationship between the young generation and these new electronic activities."
The World Cyber Games Committee (WCGC) vigorously reviewed bids from such candidate cities as: Sydney, Australia; Cancun, Mexico; and Shanghai, China. Strict criteria were followed addressing such issues as location, facilities, infrastructure, and promotional efforts. While all candidates demonstrated a strong will to host the event, Monza was selected for receiving the highest scores in venue, accessibility, and city government support. In addition, accessibility from the players' village to the Autodromo cultural and shopping facilities, security and Monza's advanced IT infrastructure as a business hub in the Europe were contributing factors in the winning decision.
Jong-yong Yun, the WCGC co-chairman and CEO & Vice Chairman of Samsung
Electronics, said, "We are pleased to award the 2006 World Cyber Games Grand Final to Monza because it is a hub of international business, culture and education, furthering our aim to achieve world harmony through digital entertainment. The World Cyber Games brings tremendous benefits to its host cities and we are keen to see Monza reap these benefits."
Monza offered its famous Autodromo Nazionale Monza best known for hosting the Italian Grand Prix, as the venue for the 2006 Grand Final. It will be the first time the Grand Final is held in a racing circuit, promising a more thrilling atmosphere for gamers and spectators.
Started as the World Cyber Challenge in 2000, the World Cyber Games was first officially held in 2001 and 2005 marks its fifth year. It has grown to be the world's largest computer and video games festival, expecting more than 800 gamers from over 70 countries for the 2005 Grand Final in Singapore, November 16 - 20. After being staged in Korea from 2000 to 2003, the Grand Final was held in San Francisco in 2004.
The World Cyber Games 2005 Italian National Final ended in June, producing 12 players and a one clan, who will represent Italy at this year's Grand Final in Singapore. Up to one million gamers worldwide are expected to participate in online, local, regional and national competitions in the build up to the Grand Final this year.
Samsung Electronics is a global sponsor for the World Cyber Games.
World Cyber Games
South Korea-based International Cyber Marketing (www.worldcybergames.com) is the global organizer of the World Cyber Games, the world's largest computer and video game festival, and is responsible for all World Cyber Games interactive game tournaments to be held in about 70 countries this year. This year the winners of each national event series will compete for the world championship title and prizes worth more than $400,000. Last year's World Cyber Games Grand Final was held in San Francisco, California with more than 642 gamers from 59 countries, attracting major media such as The New York Times, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, CNN, Associated Press, Reuters, ABC, NBC, CBS, and many more.
Posted by
frd on 05.08.2005 - 20:13
