Gadgets Philippines – July 2019

70 JULY 2019 http://www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

DICT throws support to growing esports scene,

calls for responsible gaming

The Department of Information and

Communications Technology (DICT) showed its

support to the Philippine esports scene through

its hosting of the first-ever Kalasag Esports

Tournament that coincided with the National ICT

Month 2019 kickoff celebration.

Aligned to this year’s National ICT month theme,

See ICT Differently, the DICT conducted the

tournament as a launching pad for its review of

support and possible policymaking avenues that

would further legitimize esports in the country

and ensure that the Philippines could take full

advantage of the growing industry.

In 2018, the esports industry is projected to

generate $905 million in revenue, reaching over $1

billion over the next two years.

At the end of the three-day competition

featuring Mobile Legends, JOYparasaBayan, a

team composed of Quezon City Government

employees, ruled the 31-team field from different

national government agencies (NGAs) and local

government units (LGUs) as they emerged as

Kalasag first-ever champions.

Matatag QC, another QC Hall squad, came in

second while DICT’s Konektado Gaming – KTG and

Department of Agriculture’s GG Gaming copped

the semifinalist spots.

“We designed this to engage people in discussions

on responsible gaming, and gather insights on

policy considerations in the sector,” said Eliseo Rio

Jr., acting secretary, DICT. “It is our proactive stance

in supporting the industry and promoting a better

culture of gaming in the country.”

Additionally, Rio said the three-year-old

department worked together with various

esports organizations, including those involved

in organizing the esports competition in the

upcoming South East Asian Games to be held in

the country.

Commissioner Darren Vitug of The Nationals,

the country’s franchise-based esports league,

said the conduct of tournaments is one way of

professionalizing esports in the Philippines.

“The advent of professional esports teams, the

rising market demand, and the potential of

Filipinos in excelling in online and video

games are some of the reasons why the

time is ripe for esports to be classified as a

professional game in the country,” Vitug said

in his presentation on the lecture portion of

the event.

Jules “Lex” Marcelo, a professional esports

athlete, added that legitimizing esports

should start with the gamer themselves. He

advised players to maintain a healthy balance

of work productivity and online gaming.

In closing, Assistant Secretary for

Infostructure Management and Special

Concerns Alan A. Silor acknowledged

the Kalasag players: “We thank and give

recognition to the support from the Kalasag

players for the advancement of esports

through their competitive spirit. It’s not

all about the esports, it is more of game

development and ICT infostructure support

to the gaming industry,” he said. The Kalasag

Esports Tournament was in partnership with

Smart and PLDT Enterprise and supported by

Mobile Legends Esports for Everyone project.

DICT conducted the tournament as a launching pad for its review of support would further legitimize esports in the country