Smart, Dark League Studios join forces in bid to boost esports

Smart Communications Inc. and Dark League Studios have joined forces to further boost the growth of esports in the country, from the grassroots level up to the professional scene.

The two companies teamed up to bring an interactive gaming experience through Smart GIGA Arena, an all-in-one esports platform that aims to serve as a pathway for aspiring and young gamers.

PLDT and Smart president and CEO Al Panlilio said the partnership is a significant move on their part as they eye to 'change the game' in the country's esports landscape.

The new venture also makes sense as the Philippines has been a dominant force in esports, especially in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competitions, where Philippine teams have ruled the past three editions of the world championship.

"Ngayon marami nang nagcocompete [sa esports] and ito naman we're changing the game of esports in the Philippines," said Panlilio during a press conference on Wednesday in Makati City.

("Many are competing now and here, we're changing the game of esports in the Philippines.")

"Our aspiration is to bring esports to the next level of competition. We want to be major in playing esports globally, not only in the Philippines."

"It's important for us to push esports in order to bring it to the next level."

Aside from the two companies, also playing crucial roles in the partnership is the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO), which is the accredited national sports association (NSA) by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Smart already introduced the GIGA Arena in 2022 and has hosted over two million users in nearly 1,000 tournaments where more than P4.2 million in prizes have been given. Aside from ML:BB, other esports are also featured in GIGA Arena such as Call of Duty and PUBG, among others.

With Smart offering its platform, Dark League Studios will play as a marketing arm.

This is also not the first time that DLS will partner with major industry players as it has already linked up with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) before for their Esports Bakbakan event.

"What we want to do is we will be a preparation arm in terms of activating esports programs in the country," said AC Valdenor, CEO of Dark League Studios.

"We wanted to make sure that we gain a lot of interest that esports is a career already."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News