Good evening, everyone.
Lately, I've been freezing my butt off while sitting at my desk—playing games.
Last week I introduced a game called Arc Raiders on my blog, but lately I've been playing it whenever I have time, so I'm struggling to find something new to introduce...
So, going back a bit, I thought I'd write about the day I went to watch an esports tournament on my blog, hoping it might be a chance for everyone to learn about esports.
In August, I went to watch the VCT Pacific Finals TOKYO at Makuhari Messe. Do you know the game VALORANT?
VALORANT is a 5v5 team-based FPS. It differs from battle royale-style games where you just quickly eliminate enemies. The attacking team wins the round by either planting the Spike in a designated area on the map within the time limit or eliminating all opposing players. The defending team wins the round by preventing the spike from being planted, eliminating the attacking players, or defusing the planted spike before it detonates. Winning a single round involves deep strategic choices: which route to attack, when to use abilities, and how to coordinate with teammates—all of which directly impact the outcome. Each Agent's unique abilities directly translate the player's creativity and decision-making into combat power, creating dynamic matches where no two engagements play out the same.
This intricate strategic interplay, combined with the exhilaration of team victory, is a major reason VALORANT is beloved by such a wide audience. As an esports title, VALORANT perfectly encapsulates the appeal of a spectator sport. The unparalleled aim of pro players, meticulously crafted tactics, and the drama of a team uniting to seize victory—each element stirs the audience's emotions, filling arenas with the fervor of traditional sports. Fans across borders rejoice, lament, and celebrate together in the same moment—this shared experience enriches esports culture itself.
The Pacific League is centered on Asian countries excluding China (China has its own league). Japan is represented by two teams: “ZETA” and “DFM”. Unfortunately, they lost in the qualifiers, so I couldn't see those two leagues on the day of the event... Instead, I watched the Taron VS RRQ match. It was a heated contest that went all the way to a tiebreaker overtime.
Beyond just a game, it elevates into a stage where cheers gather for the crystallization of effort, connecting people. VALORANT and esports, while existing in the digital world, overflow with human passion and stories. That is precisely the greatest charm that captivates so many people.
On the other hand, the esports industry still faces many challenges. Taron, the team I just watched compete, has actually disbanded. The reason was insufficient funding. Even for powerhouse teams competing in world championships, securing sponsors remains difficult due to the shallow level of interest and understanding surrounding esports. This leads to situations where players cannot be adequately compensated. This is especially pronounced among Tier 2 teams that don't compete internationally. In Japan, VCJ represents this Tier 2 level. While Japan's league enjoys overwhelming viewership and funding compared to the rest of the world, other leagues face significantly lower interest and struggle with funding. Any good ideas for solving these challenges? Please comment below!!
This time, I focused on introducing esports centered around Valorant, but many other esports are also thriving. Just a game? No—behind it lies fierce competition where pride is on the line. An interesting esports tournament I recently discovered is the Excel World Championship hosted by Microsoft. Yes, that Excel with the green icon on everyone's computer. If you're curious, definitely look it up!
See you next week :)
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