| Daniel Lim |
SWORDS clashed and bullets flew across the virtual war field of Mobile Legends, a popular online video game, as gaming teams from across Brunei battled it out against one another at the multipurpose building of the recreational park along Jalan Sungai, Kuala Belait.
Fourteen teams from all four districts converged to participate in the fourth edition of the Mobile Legends E-Sports Tournament. Each team comprised seven members, with five playing in the matches and the remaining two as substitutes.
Organised by STK Gaming in conjunction with the Brunei December Festival 2017, the tournament was held to promote Mobile Legends to the public as well as showcasing the talents of local gamers and give them the opportunity to work as a unit and pitch their skills against their peers in a healthy competition.
Mobile Legends is a mobile gaming application, where two teams compete in an arena featuring various objectives which give teams advantages for the final goal of defeating the enemy’s base. Mobile Legends as well as various other games with similar game format are collectively known as ‘Multiplayer Online Battle Arena’ (MOBA) games, and have an extensive player base from all across the globe.
This is the first time the tournament was held in the Belait District, with previous editions hosted in the Brunei-Muara District.
As the players readied themselves for the tournament’s start, spectators began to fill the viewing hall and cheers started ringing. Each team was given their own room in which to play the game to ensure fairness and neutrality during the competition.
The Bulletin spoke to STK Gaming founder and tournament organiser Mohd Shahrulnizam bin Juhar.
“We had 14 teams for the event and they competed against each other in a double elimination-style tournament,” he said. “This means that teams which have lost twice would be eliminated from the tournament.”
Mohd Shahrulnizam also noted that response from both the players and attendees was much better than expected.
“We did not expect such a warm reception in the Belait District, and we saw the atmosphere of the tournament heat up as we approached the final matches of the tournament,” he said.
Mohd Shahrulnizam explained that STK Gaming, founded in December 2016, is a gaming community made up of players who share the same passion for gaming, in particular, Mobile Legends.
“We have around 148 members and many of us met each other and became friends while playing Mobile Legends. The players come from the various districts and we compete against each other not only to show off our individual skills, but also to get to know local players, and share knowledge, tips and tricks of the game.”
STK Gaming, he said, stands for ‘Special Combat Squad’.
“We are inspired by the camaraderie found among real-life special combat squads. We battle it out in the virtual battlefield and we are able to respect each other and appreciate skills.”
Mohd Shahrulnizam said that STK Gaming is looking to stage the fifth edition of the Mobile Legends E-Sports Tournament sometime next year.
“It will hopefully be held in the Tutong District,” he said.
Team Pakop Gaming which had an incredible run and performed magnificently throughout the competition emerged as champions, followed by STK T1 and BBS in second and third place.
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