Latest news with #RaoufBelhamra
Saudi Gazette
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Games confirmed for the SNK World Championship 2025, SNK's global fighting game tournament!
The ES TIMES — City of the Wolves alone will feature a total prize pool of $2,500,000 (SR9,375,000), and the tournament winner will receive $1,500,000 (SR5,625,000)! SNK World Championship 2025 is an esports tournament where players from around the world compete to become the best in the world of SNK fighting games. Qualifying tournaments will be held in several regions around the world, culminating in the final tournament in the United States at the end of 2025. In addition to the qualifiers currently underway for THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV and SAMURAI SHODOWN, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves will join this year as a headliner! The total prize pool for all City of the Wolves qualifying and final tournaments exceeds $2,500,000 (SR9,375,000), with the grand prize for the champion set to be $1,500,000 (SR5,625,000). Additional details regarding prizes, qualifying tournament dates, and more will be announced soon. Don't miss this opportunity! We reviewed the game and gave it a 9/10. Raouf Belhamra said of the game: 'Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves represents a historic return for SNK's venerable series, combining authenticity with modernity. With innovative gameplay, vibrant graphics, and music that captures the spirit of the series, the game delivers a masterpiece worthy of the return of a legend after more than two decades. Despite some minor interface flaws and some controversial additions, its combat, story, and technical performance make it one of the best fighting games of all time and a benchmark for the new generation of the genre.' SNK's beloved Fatal Fury series debuted in 1991 and was one of the first games to lead the fighting game wave that swept the industry in the 1990s. Garou: Mark of the Wolves, released in 1999, was for a long time the last entry in the series... But now all that changes: 26 years later, a brand new installment is coming - Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves! The game features a unique art style that stimulates the senses, an innovative REV system that heightens the excitement, and a set of new combat systems that are more powerful than ever. The game also brings new life to the series by introducing two different control schemes to ensure enjoyment for beginners and professionals alike, along with all-new features and elements. The streets of South Town are filled with excitement, wild dreams, and the craziest ambitions. And here, finally, a new legend is about to be born... Raouf Belhamra – Esports and Gaming writer
Saudi Gazette
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Esports World Cup 2025 reveals full schedule
The ES TIMES — The Esports World Cup 2025 has officially revealed its full schedule, confirming 25 tournaments across 24 different eSports disciplines. The competition will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over seven weeks from July 7 to August 24, 2025, with a record prize pool of $70 million (262,656,590.00 Saudi Riyals), making it one of the largest tournaments in the history of eSports. This year, more than 2,000 players from 200 teams will participate, competing in a wide variety of games. Here's the breakdown of events by week: Week 1: VALORANT, Apex Legends, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Rennsport, Dota 2 Week 2: League of Legends, Dota 2, MLBB Women's Invitational, Honor of Kings, Free Fire Week 3: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, StarCraft II, MLBB Mid-Season Cup, PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings Week 4: Overwatch 2, PUBG Mobile, Chess, MLBB Mid-Season Cup Week 5: Call of Duty: Warzone, Rainbow Six Siege X, EA Sports FC 25 Week 6: Rocket League, PUBG Battlegrounds, Teamfight Tactics, Tekken 8 Week 7: Counter-Strike 2, CrossFire: Mercenary Forces Corporation, Street Fighter 6 One of the highlights of this year's tournament is the integration of several mid-season tournaments into existing global tournaments, such as Honor. of Kings and Overwatch 2. Chess also marks its debut as the first traditional sport to join the Esports World Cup. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) will be a key pillar, hosting the Mid-Season Cup 2025 and the return of the Women's Invitational to showcase the best women's teams in the MLBB scene. Valve's top games will be a pivotal part of the event, with Dota 2 concluding the ESL Pro Tour Season 3 with the Esports World Cup, formerly known as the Riyadh Masters. Meanwhile, Counter-Strike 2 will feature as a main event with a prize pool of $1.25 million (4,690,296.25 Saudi Riyals). The Esports World Cup 2025 promises exciting competitive rounds and unforgettable moments for gaming fans around the world. In addition to individual tournaments, organizations will compete for Club World Cup Championship points and the opportunity to join the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program. Raouf Belhamra – Esports and Gaming writer
Saudi Gazette
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
MSC 2025 welcomes 16 new teams and regions in its quest for the Esports World Cup
The ES TIMES — The MSC 2025 Mid-Season Cup, held in partnership with the Esports World Cup (EWC), is back for its second global edition with a record-setting 16 participating teams and the addition of two new Wild Card regions: Japan and Vietnam. Following a landmark debut at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh last year, MSC 2025 further cements its transformation from a regional event to a global spectacle. The inclusion of Japan—returning to the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) international stage for the first time since M2 2020—and Vietnam's debut through the 2024-launched Wild Card system, represents a significant expansion in regional diversity. Wild Card expansion fuels global inclusion The Wild Card system now brings eight teams into the playoffs, providing emerging regions with a valuable chance to earn a spot on the MSC 2025 x EWC main stage. This addition boosts representation and ensures more competitive diversity than ever before. In 2024, the Wild Card stage attracted 373,543 peak concurrent viewers, according to Esports Charts, setting a new record for MLBB international viewership. This year's format continues to build on that momentum. A milestone year for global MLBB esports In total, 16 teams will compete on the MSC 2025 main stage, including the eventual Wild Card champion. The increased global footprint and broader player pool make this year's edition the most inclusive and competitive in MSC history. This expansion aligns with the 2024 rebrand of the tournament from the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup to the Mid-Season Cup, reflecting Moonton's strategy to create a truly international MLBB esports ecosystem. 'The addition of new regions to MSC 2025 x EWC highlights our commitment to building a comprehensive MLBB esports ecosystem,' said Mike Chu, Head of Regional Esports at Moonton Games. 'This expansion not only raises the level of competition but also celebrates the diverse passion that drives the MLBB community around the world. We are excited to once again partner with EWC to showcase how the two esports giants celebrate the spirit of competition together.' From record-breaking viewership to regional glory At MSC 2024 x EWC, Selangor Red Giants made history by becoming the first Malaysian team to win an MLBB World Championship title, capturing the lion's share of the event's $3 million prize pool. In 2024, MLBB was crowned the most-watched mobile esports title globally, amassing more than 475 million watch hours across regional, international, and third-party tournaments. With its expanded global footprint, strategic partnership with EWC, and growing viewer base, MSC 2025 is set to elevate MLBB's profile even further on the international stage. By Raouf Belhamra – Esports and Gaming Writer
