It is curtains down as the World Cyber Games (WCG) 2005 Grand Final drew to a thrilling finale today. USA emerged as the top cyber gaming nation with a grand total of two gold medals and a silver medal after five days of intense tournaments, entertaining cultural events and exciting fringe activities.
USA bagged gold medals in CounterStrike and Halo 2, and a silver medal in WarCraft. They are closely trailed by Korea with two gold medals (StarCraft and Warhammer) and a bronze medal (Dead or Alive Ultimate), and Brazil with one gold and one silver medal for the same game - Need for Speed. Last year’s top cyber game nation, Netherlands, will be heading home with a solitary bronze medal.
In today’s championship matches, Dennis Schellhase from Germany and Li Xiaofeng from China won their countries’ sole gold medals at the games with victories in FIFA Soccer and WarCraft respectively, while hot favourites Team 3D from USA and Korea’s Jaehoon Lee plotted their victories in CounterStrike and StarCraft respectively (See attached Appendix for full list of medalists).
Presenting the awards at the closing ceremony were senior executives from WCG committee, worldwide sponsor, Samsung and premier sponsors Intel and Razer, as well as strategic suppliers.
In his closing ceremony speech, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Singapore’s Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts said, “Digital games as part of the whole entertainment and media ecosystem is big business and a growing contributor to the global creative economy. We are therefore proud to be the host country of such events as they serve to reinforce Singapore’s position as a regional hub and gateway to Asia.”
This year’s WCG Grand Final, the first to be held in Asia outside Korea, was a phenomenal success, attracting a record total of 55,000 spectators who experienced the magic of e-Sports and how it brings the young generations of the world together in peace and unity.
Through providing a comprehensive and fun related game content at this Grand Final in Singapore, WCG has transcended language barriers and helped make games the second international passion, after sports. It has also witnessed the start of many friendships and exchange of fondest memories.
"With the unprecedented spectator interest and record number of participating countries and gamers this year, the World Cyber Games has truly evolved to become the gaming equivalent of the Olympics. We will build on this year’s success to create an even more thrilling and successful event for next year’s World Cyber Games," said Mr. Hank Jeong, President and CEO of International Cyber Marketing, organiser for the World Cyber Games.
In the spirit of true e-sportsmanship, WCG and worldwide sponsor, Samsung named Brazil’s Danilo Barros as the first Samsung Fair Play recipient. He was chosen by games’ referees among 700 players from 67 countries who converged in Singapore over the last five days.
Riding on the popularity of new digital entertainment culture, WCG held the first mobile championship, which drew a total of 33 players competing for total prize money of US$24,000 in four official games including Midtown Madness 3, Bruce Lee, Goolie, and Chopper Rescue. The winners were Taiwan’s Wu Jian Hong (Goolie), South Africa’s Tammy Brooke-Smith (Chopper Rescue), Malaysia’s Nik Zl Azmi (Bruce Lee) and Malaysia’s Rishilan A/L Chandran (Midtown Madness).
World Cyber Games 2006 will be held in Monza, Italy, which is best known for hosting the Italian Grand Prix. It will mark the first time that World Cyber Games is being held in Europe. USA Emerges As Overall Champion Of World Cyber Games As 2005 Grand Final Ends With Spectacular Celebration
