A new gaming competition designed to promote esports and the Welsh language is set to take centre stage at the National Eisteddfod.
M-SParc is leading on the ‘Esteddfod’ project. Partners include the Football Association of Wales, S4C, the National Eisteddfod and Esports Wales.
The competition’s finale will be held at the National Eisteddfod. The winner takes home £1,000 and the crown, with other prizes including football kits, and tickets to international football games.
Esports means playing online games on an international platform and the industry had an audience of almost 500,000,000 worldwide last year. The most popular competitions take place in arenas, with thousands gathering live to watch people play games on a huge screen, and more watching online. The games chosen for the Esteddfod are the football-based games EA FC24 and Rocket League.
John Jackson, CEO of Esports Wales, the national body hosting the online competitions, said:
“Esports Wales covers the esports scene in Wales, from grassroots level to national teams. Competitive Video Gaming – or esports – brings together people from all backgrounds. Esports can inspire people’s futures; there are those who develop careers as professional gamers, as well as commentators and streamers. There are also opportunities within production, marketing, administration, and more. It’s important to take seriously the careers that are available within Esports, and not be closed-minded just because they are associated with video gaming.”
Former Welsh footballer Joe Ledley will appear as one of the commentators for the live final at the Eisteddfod and will be joined by other ex-pro footballers as well as popular gaming streamers for a contest between regional winners.
The competition is free to participate in and no previous experience of esports as a competition is needed. Participants need to have access to the games on the console of their choosing and be able to speak Welsh to some level.
The Football Association of Wales said:
“The FAW is delighted to support the latest development in the field of football video games at the Eisteddfod in Pontypridd. This is undoubtedly an exciting development and shows that the Welsh language – through sport – is a living, modern and relevant language for everyday life. All the fans will remember and appreciate Joe Ledley’s contribution on and off the pitch for Wales and especially in Euro 2016. It is therefore very appropriate that Joe plays a key role in this event.”
Registration is currently open, and further details can be found on M-SParc’s website
There are separate competitions for those 15 and under, and those aged 16 and up. Regional finals will take place in the counties of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Carmarthen, and Ceredigion. Those from other counties of Wales can join by choosing the county closest to them. The online streaming element of Esteddfod will take place via Streams+, a specialist streamline platform developed by Haia Communications Ltd, a company which was established at M-SParc in 2020.
Pryderi ap Rhisiart, MD of M-SParc, said:
“We’re passionate about supporting young people to use Welsh in everyday life, and it’s fantastic to combine this with a thriving industry such as gaming. The competitions will be fun and will also be accompanied by resources outlining education and career pathways that are available through esports here in Wales. To work with a company that was established here at M-SParc, and to showcase what Streams+ can do to a national audience, really helps champion Welsh talent. Welsh technology and the Welsh language will combine for this event, and the outcome will be ‘bendigedig’.”
Esteddfod is supported by the ARFOR Challenge Fund which is funded by the Welsh Government.
