The Esports World Cup Basis has introduced a three-year partnership with recreation developer Smilegate for its FPS title Crossfire.
Because of the collaboration, Crossfire can be included within the 2025 Esports World Cup, a multi-title annual esports occasion set to happen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Crossfire would be the second title to debut on the Esports World Cup. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Chess may also be featured on the occasion.
Launched in 2007, Crossfire has developed a big fanbase in China. Since 2019, the sport has had a franchised esports league in China known as the CFPL. Furthermore, the sport’s reputation within the nation led to the creation of a drama present known as Cross Hearth in 2020. In keeping with South China Morning Submit, the present generated 980m views in lower than 4 weeks after its launch.
Crossfire just lately concluded its world championship earlier this month in Hangzhou. Chinese language organisation Evolution Energy walked out victorious and claimed the lion’s share of its $1.4m (~£1.1m) prize pool.
Particulars surrounding the Esports World Cup 2025 Crossfire occasion, similar to prize pool and format, have but to be introduced.
Ina Jang, CEO at Smilegate Leisure, commented on the information: “The inclusion of Crossfire within the Esports World Cup 2025 marks a big milestone for each the sport and its world esports ecosystem.
“As one of the standard FPS titles worldwide, Crossfire has fostered a devoted neighborhood of gamers and followers over the previous decade. Becoming a member of the EWC gives an thrilling platform to showcase the ability, ardour and aggressive spirit of Crossfire esports to a broader viewers, additional solidifying its place on the worldwide stage.”
Since its launch, the Esports World Cup has been criticised by sections of the esports neighborhood attributable to its ties to the Saudi Arabian Public Funding Fund. Alongside the Saudi Arabian authorities’s wider funding within the esports house, discussions surrounding the nation’s human rights file stay prevalent.