Team Liquid prepares for the Saudi contest

Andrew RogersBBC NewsbeatTeam LiquidLevi is without doubt one of the high skilled EA Sports activities FC gamers within the worldThe second Esports World Cup (EWC) has begun in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Over the subsequent seven weeks, groups from world wide will compete throughout 25 video games together with Name of Obligation, League of Legends and EA Sports activities FC (EA FC).Up for grabs is a share of $70m (£50m).There are prizes for people and groups however, regardless of the event’s identify, gamers do not compete for his or her international locations.Most are members of organisations resembling Crew Liquid, one of many world’s greatest esports squads. BBC Newsbeat went behind the scenes at their HQ to seek out out why the EWC is so vital to them, and why they really feel they can not ignore the controversial contest.Situated in Utrecht within the Netherlands, Crew Liquid’s base is an element workplace, half online game arcade and half luxurious scholar lodging.There are two rooms the place team-mates can compete head-to-head or on-line, and streaming cubicles the place they’ll broadcast reside to followers on Twitch.A lot of Liquid’s high gamers reside and practice within the constructing, the place an on-site chef gives three meals a day, all of them designed to spice up focus and response occasions.When play is figure and work is play it is vital to differentiate between the 2, and members inform Newsbeat they spend about eight hours a day coaching within the run-up to main competitions.A kind of is Levi de Weerd.Like many others he received into EA FC (previously often known as Fifa) as a toddler.Now aged 21, he is made enjoying towards one of the best towards the world right into a profession.He says being a part of Crew Liquid will get him entry to the high-spec services and skilled coaches.”We’ve got a gameplay coach, we’re analysing video games from tournaments up to now and in pleasant video games the place we attempt issues out. We’ve got efficiency coaches and psychological coaches too,” he says.Being in a single place, he says, is extra vital than you may suppose.”I believe it is vital to have a superb setting with coaches, with gamers and employees to get a superb chemistry”, he says.Getty ImagesLevi has additionally represented The Netherlands in esports competitionsBecause EWC opponents do not characterize their international locations, groups are ready to herald expertise from world wide. YanYa, a part of Crew Liquid’s Apex Legends squad, joined from his dwelling nation of Mexico.He says the EWC is “one of the best feeling on this planet since you are enjoying one of the best gamers”.”You get a number of pleasure. You get a number of adrenaline,” he says.Crew Liquid need to one-up their efficiency final yr, after they completed second total behind Saudi aspect Crew Falcons.YanYa insists that does not have an effect on him, although.”I do not really feel strain, I really feel assured,” he says. “We have been practising so much.”Crew LiquidYanYa and his group travelled from Mexico to coach at Crew Liquid’s HQIndividual efficiency is a key a part of the EWC and there are huge money prizes for profitable gamers.However there are additionally particular bonuses for the membership championship – the group that wins probably the most occasions total will get $7m (£5m).Extra gamers means an opportunity to compete in additional occasions, and a higher likelihood of netting that high prize.Levi is a reasonably new member of Crew Liquid, which he joined when his former aspect was absorbed into it.Consolidation – greater esports groups swallowing smaller ones – and mergers have change into extra frequent, and never simply due to the prizes up for grabs.A number of esports organisations have gone bust in recent times after a large funding increase within the scene fizzled out.Crew Liquid’s founder and co-CEO Victor Goosens says maintaining the cash coming in is extra vital than ever.Crew LiquidVictor Goossens based Crew Liquid initially as a membership enjoying Starcraft IIWhile prize cash is not all the things, Victor says the EWC is financially vital for Crew Liquid.”It is one other supply we are able to plan round and mission our yr for and that permits us to construct the corporate and set up ourselves as a sustainable esports organisation”, he says.He says the group is “formidable” with its plans to win the membership championship, after putting second final yr.Victor admits it is necessary to compete in as many occasions as potential so as to take the highest spot, however that “it isn’t price increasing in case your core rosters aren’t already nice”.It is advisable appeal to one of the best expertise.So when on-line chess was added as an occasion at this yr’s Esports World Cup, Crew Liquid signed up the world’s high chess grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. ActivisionCall of Obligation is among the many titles included within the competitionSome esports followers have been vital of groups collaborating in an occasion hosted, and largely funded, by Saudi Arabia.The dominion has been accused of quite a few human rights violations and has strict legal guidelines limiting what ladies can do. Like different Center East states it has been closely criticised for its anti-LGBT legal guidelines – homosexuality is punishable by loss of life. It is closely invested tens of millions into sport, video video games and esports, which critics argue is an try to spice up its public picture.There was backlash. Particular person gamers have chosen to not take part, resembling Avenue Fighter 6 professional Chris CCH, who declined a spot at this yr’s contest after qualifying through a partnered occasion.However, given its ever-growing ties to esports, he admitted that avoiding any Saudi-linked contests altogether would have made it virtually inconceivable for him to hold on competing.Victor says it is a “delicate and difficult scenario to navigate” for Crew Liquid, which has publicly supported homosexual rights.”We have been very outspoken that we consider in esports for all,” says Victor. “So there is a contradiction. However we consider that if we wish to be round in 5 or ten years’ time we have to play on the EWC.”Hearken to Newsbeat reside at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or pay attention again right here.