Intel is bringing Esports to PyeongChang ahead of the Olympic Winter Games 2018
Tech giant and avid Esports supporter Intel has announced its plans to bring competitive gaming experiences to PyeongChang, ahead of next February’s Olympic Winter Games. In partnership and support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Intel will deliver two distinct gaming experiences to Korea in the lead up to PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games: the Intel® Extreme Masters PyeongChang esports tournament featuring Blizzard Entertainment’s “StarCraft® II,” and a separate exhibition featuring Ubisoft’s action-sports title “Steep™ Road to the Olympics,” the official licensed game of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
An extension of the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) brand produced in partnership with ESL, Intel Extreme Masters PyeongChang will be open to any player, at any level via global online qualifiers, which will take place in November. A live qualifier event will also take place in Beijing in December between the top two qualifiers from China, with the winner moving on to compete against the rest of the field in PyeongChang in the lead up to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Intel will also deliver interactive gaming experiences throughout the Olympic Village for attendees and athletes, with game kiosks featuring “Steep Road to the Olympics.” Olympic and gaming fans will also have the opportunity to compete to be the best in an exhibition featuring “Steep Road to the Olympics.” Additional competition and qualification details will be shared in November.
“Intel has been pushing the boundaries of esports for well over a decade and our goal is to bring esports to every global sporting stage. From the qualifying events to the groundbreaking Intel Extreme Masters tournament in PyeongChang, we see this as another important step in giving more people around the world a chance to experience the thrill of esports.” Gregory Bryant, senior vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel Corporation said.
“We are proud to have our Worldwide TOP Partner Intel bring this competition to PyeongChang in the lead up to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Following on from the Olympic Summit last week, the IOC will now explore esport’s relationship with the Olympic Movement further. This is the start of an exciting future and we’re interested to see how this experience will play out.” Timo Lumme, managing director, IOC Television and Marketing Services
Fans can follow the action and watch the competition unfold on the Olympic Channel global digital platform as well as additional broadcast and digital partners to be announced in the near future.
