The ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games is making history as it marks the third inclusion of esports in the prestigious event. This year, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) competition has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the most popular women’s esports event ever. The success of the event further validates the importance of integrating esports into major multi-sport tournaments.
The Inclusion of Esports in the 32nd SEA Games
The 32nd Southeast Asian Games, held among 11 countries in Southeast Asia, has embraced esports as part of its biennial extravaganza. Regulated by the Southeast Asian Games Federation and supervised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the event provides a platform for esports athletes to showcase their skills and compete on a regional stage.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Shatters Records
During the second day of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament, the match between Indonesia’s Bigetron Era and the Philippines’ Omega Empress broke records, attracting an impressive peak viewership of 1.36 million. This figure shattered the previous record by a staggering 348%. Notably, the previous record was also set in a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang event, specifically the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational 2022.
Unprecedented Success for Women’s Esports
The 32nd SEA Games has witnessed unprecedented success in women’s esports. The decision by the organizing committee to feature six games and nine events, including Attack Online 2, Crossfire, Valorant, League of Legends: Wild Rift, PUBG Mobile, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for both men’s and women’s teams, has been a significant contributing factor to the tournament’s triumph.
The Impact of Multiple Streaming Channels
One key factor in the record-breaking viewership numbers of the women’s MLBB competition was the extensive streaming coverage across various official and unofficial channels. The availability of community casting further enhanced viewership numbers. With over 70 streaming handles broadcasting the action over the course of two days, platforms like YouTube and TikTok played instrumental roles in attracting a large audience.
Most Popular Streamers and Channels at the 32nd SEA Games
The official MPL Indonesia YouTube channel emerged as the most popular and watched streamer, surpassing the combined viewership of the next two channels. The official MLBB Indonesia and MPL Indonesia channels on TikTok also garnered significant viewership. Additionally, retired Indonesian MLBB pro-turned-YouTuber Jonathan Liandi, known as ‘The Freestyle God,’ gained substantial viewership, securing the second spot. The official MLBB Indonesia TikTok channel completed the top three.
The Rise of Women’s Esports: Popular Tournaments and Disciplines
Female esports has experienced a surge in popularity, with notable tournaments like the VCT 2022 Game Changers Championship, the UniPin Ladies Series SEA Invitational, and the MLBB Women’s Invitational 2023. In the past three years, women’s esports has seen remarkable growth, with MLBB and Valorant dominating the list of most popular tournaments. These games have provided opportunities for women to showcase their skills and contribute to the growth of the industry.
Anticipating More Milestones in Women’s Esports
With the continuous growth and support for women’s esports, it is only a matter of time before new milestones are achieved. As more events are organized to foster the potential of women in esports, we can expect further records to be broken and more milestones to be created. Fans can continue to tune in to the 32nd SEA Games, as other disciplines such as PUBG Mobile (individual and team) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (men’s team) are yet to be concluded.
Conclusion: Celebrating the Success of the 32nd SEA Games
The ongoing 32nd SEA Games has witnessed a historic moment in the world of esports. The inclusion of esports in the event has provided a platform for talented individuals to compete on a regional stage and showcase their skills to a wide audience. The exceptional viewership numbers, especially in the women’s MLBB competition, highlight the growing popularity and potential of women’s esports. As the event continues, fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling conclusion of various disciplines and the continuous growth of esports in the region.
FAQs
What is the 32nd SEA Games?
The 32nd Southeast Asian Games is a biennial multi-sport event held among 11 countries in Southeast Asia.
Why is the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) competition significant in the 32nd SEA Games?
The MLBB competition has achieved record-breaking viewership, becoming the most popular women’s esports event ever in the history of the games.
How did the women’s MLBB competition break viewership records?
The availability of multiple streaming channels, including community casting, contributed to the significant viewership numbers. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok played a major role in attracting a large audience.
Which streamers and channels were the most popular during the 32nd SEA Games?
The official MPL Indonesia YouTube channel, the official MLBB Indonesia and MPL Indonesia channels on TikTok, and retired MLBB pro-turned-YouTuber Jonathan Liandi were among the most popular streamers and channels during the event.
What does the rise of women’s esports signify for the industry?
The rise of women’s esports demonstrates the increasing opportunities and demand for female players to showcase their skills and potential in games like MLBB and Valorant.
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