Industry Leaders Gather at World Forum 2023 to Examine Esports and Gaming Landscape
The Next World Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where industry experts and developers from around the world gathered to discuss the evolving eSports and gaming industry, has come to a close after its discussion that began on August 30 at the Kingdom Centre.
The two-day event featured several notable panelists, including popular film director Michael Bay, internet entrepreneur Gary Vee and even Welsh footballer Gareth Bale, who discussed a range of topics. These ranged from the impact of AI on creative industries such as filmmaking and game development, to how gaming could become the ‘economy of the future’.
In another panel titled “The Big Fat Acquisition: The Legalities of Companies Acquiring Game Studios,” panelists H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz AlZoom (Saudi Competition Authority), Jens Hilgers (BITKRAFT), David Higley (Lazard), Kun Gao (Crunchyroll), Kyu Lee (COM2US) examine whether major gaming deals, including Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard, could affect the entire industry.
With the event now over, one message from the Saudi Arabian esports federation is clear: Saudi Arabia aims to be a key player in esports and gaming, and events like the Next World Forum will help the country double down on that mission.
The panelists discussed the future of AI, NFT and how big esports is
In the panel “High Score: When the Celebrity Begins to Play in the Industry”, where Gareth Bale, Michael Bay and Gary Vee discussed various buzzwords in the industry, such as artificial intelligence and the entry of celebrities into the industry, Michael Bay, who is known. of directing big-budget Hollywood films such as Transformers and Armageddon, remarked that “AI has no soul” and is just “math”. He expressed concern about the AI making its users lazy, and cited concerns about his “music artist friends.”
In contrast, Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as Gary Vee, was completely different. He noted that both AI and NFTs have the potential to change the world when compared to the early 2000s when the internet was dismissed as a “bubble”. Additionally, he encouraged people to think of AI as a “thinking partner” that doesn’t take jobs but acts as a “companion.”
Gareth Bale, former Real Madrid star and co-owner of Ellevens esports, expressed that “esports is definitely catching up to real football”, which he saw as a positive development. He also emphasized the opportunities that gaming offers to children and stated: “The scope is so great. It gives children more opportunities to do what they want. Even my kids now grow up enjoying their consoles and being able to interact with their friends in another country.”
Growing prize pools and Saudi Arabia’s leadership are “rising” in gaming
On the first day of the Next World Forum, the new Gamers8 Club Awards were also presented. At the awards ceremony, Saudi Arabia’s Twisted Minds team secured the top spot and received a prize of $1.5 million. Overall, the total prize pool for “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes” was $45 million, which claimed to be the largest esports prize pool in esports history.
The event also included a speech by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, where he discussed the goal of creating a “gold standard for competitive gaming”. He emphasized that “Saudi Arabia’s goal is to become a global gaming and esports hub, and hosting events like the Next World Forum is a key part of the journey to achieving this mission.”
Day Two: “Game Tabs” are discussed
The second day of the Next World Forum covered some of the “controversial” aspects of eSports and gaming, including leadership in the gaming industry. Sessions on the second day included “Players deserve better: the future of gaming and sports spaces”, “Power Play Chat: a conversation between changemakers”, “Virtual realities, real-world consequences: the impact of politics on gaming”, “Breaking the Game”. Code: The Challenges for Women in Gaming Leadership, “The Next Level: A New Chapter for Saudi Esports Federation” and “AI-pocalypse Now – Where do we draw the line?”
The end of the Next World Forum also marked the end of the annual Gamers8, which began on July 6 at the Boulevard in Riyadh. This eight-week event featured 16 tournaments based on 13 eSports, more than 30 live concert performances from global, regional and local stars and numerous activities.
