The specifications for the planning and operation of the "Tokyo eSports Festa" e-sports event scheduled for January 11-12, 2020, at Tokyo Big Sight have been released, and some details about the event have been revealed.
Let us summarize some of the points of interest.
No prize money
Under "a. Requirements for implementation" in 6.
(d) No prize money will be paid to the winners. (d) No prize money will be paid to the winners, etc. Goods may be offered as a supplementary prize.
【全国】"東京ｅスポーツフェスタ"企画運営業務に係る委託事業者の募集
The details can be found on the "Tokyo eSports Festa" planning and operation outsourcing page.
In other words, there will be no prize money for the top prize winners.
It is possible to offer goods as a supplementary prize, but it is not clear if expensive items will be awarded or not.
Game titles are limited.
There is a worrisome description in the "b. Selection of competition events" section of "6.
(a) The title must be owned by a domestic IP holder.
(b) The game must have been used in competitions held in Japan or abroad.
(f) In the case of home video game software, the rating of the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO) must be "A".
(f) In the case of home video game software, the game must be rated "A" by the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), or "3+" or "4+" in the case of smartphone applications. However, even if the title has a designated rating, if it contains expressions offensive to public order and morals, the game must be able to exclude such expressions by devising a competition method, setting, or other means.
【全国】"東京ｅスポーツフェスタ"企画運営業務に係る委託事業者の募集
Based on the above, the game must be a " domestic game title", "a title that has been used in past competitions", and "CERO A ".
If it is a "domestic IP," then overseas IP titles such as LoL, DOTA2, and Fortnite, which are popular titles, are excluded.
Titles that have been used in past tournaments" will exclude titles that have just been released.
If the titles are limited to "CERO A," most of the fighting games would be excluded.
Popular fighting game titles include
- Street Fighter V: CERO B
- Tekken 7: CERO C
- Soul Calibur 6: CERO D
- GUILTY GEAR Xrd: CERO B
- SAMURAI SPIRITS: CERO D
- Street Fighter V: CERO B
The only game that is CERO A is Dragon Ball FighterZ.
Will it be a good thing or a bad thing?
It is understandable that the event guidelines are designed to attract a wide range of participants and visitors, young and old, men and women, as the event is free of charge for participation and admission.
However, it is impossible to predict how the event will turn out, as an e-sports tournament with a limited number of game titles and no prize money is an unprecedented attempt.
There is still more than half a year until the "Tokyo eSports Festa" is held, so more details will be announced as they become available.
For more details, please refer to the "Tokyo eSports Festa" planning and operation outsourcing page.