The Esports World Cup, organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, has expanded its lineup with the inclusion of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty Warzone, bringing the total number of games to 21. These additions feature substantial prize pools, with Warzone offering $1 million and MW3 offering $1.8 million.
Scheduled to kick off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Esports World Cup is set to be the largest esports event ever, replacing Gamers8 as the nation’s premier esports festival. With a total prize pool exceeding $60 million, the event will span nearly two months, featuring a diverse range of games and competitions.
The inclusion of Call of Duty titles completes the roster of 22 competitions in the Esports World Cup, covering a wide array of popular esports titles like Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Apex Legends, Fortnite, PUBG, and Rocket League, among others.
Both Warzone and MW3 tournaments will feature multiple teams competing for victory, contributing points to the Esports World Cup Club Championship. This overarching championship boasts an additional $20 million prize pool on top of individual game pools, ensuring intense competition across all titles.
However, the event has faced criticism, particularly regarding Saudi Arabia's use of esports to enhance its public image, a practice known as 'esportswashing'. Criticism has been directed at Saudi Arabia's human rights record and LGBTQ+ rights stance. The partnership between the Esports Awards and the Esports World Cup has led to resignations from some members of the awards selection panel, indicating ongoing controversy within the esports community.
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