At Gamr X 2.0, Africa’s Thriving Esport Sector Showcases Exceptional Talents

For a sophomore edition, Gamr X 2.0 was more than just a gaming tournament. All of the activities culminated in a celebration of Africa’s thriving esport community powered by young, passionate individuals and a testament to the continent’s rapidly growing influence in the global gaming scene as evidenced by the diversity of the players, writes Iyke Bede 

Although North America, Europe and Asia dwarf the esport sector in Africa in terms of market size, undoubtedly, Africa has earned a spot at the table in recent years with its contribution to the global esport as an emerging sector with a gaming market size of $1.92 million. 

Leveraging this growing interest that has birthed gaming enthusiasts gradually adopting esport as a profession, Gamr Africa in 2022 kicked off the maiden Gamr X Tournament to recognise and reward these passionate African gamers while continuing to provide infrastructure support toward the advancement of the sector into a multimillion-dollar economy. 

In a breathtaking showcase of exceptional agility, numerous demanding rounds, and fervent fan support, Gamr Africa presented the second instalment of the Gamr X tournament. This monumental gaming competition now stands as one of Africa’s most prominent gaming events, amassing an attendance of close to 6,000 physical attendees and scores of gamers hailing from 17 different countries across the continent.

Like the previous year, the tournament provided players with platforms to showcase their exceptional skills in different game titles. FIFA, PUBGM, Call of Duty Mobile, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter titles returned for the second consecutive year, adding a new title —Free Fire —to ensure it captures a more diverse audience this time. 

With each title taking place at a different scheduled time, the players were strategically positioned in proximity to the audience, who watched them play in real-time and relied on shoutcasters that were projected overhead to provide detailed gaming analysis. 

PUBG, the first tournament of seven, hosted 15 teams, including nationals of Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, and Kenya flanking the stage. The Street Fighter Kumite championship made its presence conspicuous with its signature cage setting where gamers faced off against one another in a virtual bloodbath to clinch glory. Gamr X 2.0 transformed the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites into a gaming universe where African Esports players pulled out all the stops. 

But as one would expect of any conventional gaming tournament, mini-tournaments were also held for the attendees to partake in. This was made possible through exhibitors who provided simple traditional games and immersive virtual reality (VR) games to test and reward their passion, thus fostering a sense of camaraderie while serving as a source of inspiration for those looking forward to a career in professional Esports. 

Although a gaming tournament, Gamr X 2.0 was where entertainment and Esports converged. With the help of a Disc Jockey, musical interludes blaring out from the surround sound systems helped keep guests and contestants entertained as the tournament progressed. Elevating the spectacle to new heights, Gamr X 2.0 featured exceptional performances by various artistes who took to the stage to deliver top-notch performances. Some of the event’s outstanding performers included Victory and BenDancer. Their enthralling acts garnered warm reception from the audience, adding an extra dimension of allure to the proceedings.

Midway through the bustling that marked teams and individuals racing to the finish point, a twist was introduced. Rapper Ladipoe and singer-songwriter Crayon challenged each other’s keypad prowess in a one-to-one FIFA battle, much to the delight of many. Although a brief exchange, Crayon stamped his name in the hearts of the lot who cheered him on as a formidable opponent that left Ladipoe with a bruised ego. Crayon emerged victorious after a 3-1 scoreline. 

Following several hours of waiting in line to get into the venue, the adrenaline surge that comes with the thrill of discovering new favourite players and teams, and tirelessly expressing support with the hope they emerge victorious, winners from the several title tournaments began to trickle in. At this stage, it was evident where each person stood. Their gloomy or elated disposition gave them off. 

After several head-on collisions in the Kumite cage where players slugged it out with the Street Fighter title, Chux, a two-time Red Bull national champion, reminded the audience of the grit and skill he was made of as he obliterated his opponents to snag the title. In a similar light, Hamza, who represented Senegal, defeated his opponents through his unique playing style that earned him several knockouts (KO) in the Mortal Kombat 11 title. 

Deviating from the gore and brutality that paints combat games, players vying for the top spot in FIFA, a title guided by fair play, put on an impressive showcase of their tact and strategy as individuals advanced to the finals. Once again, Senegal clinched glory through Dex-Jnr, a standout player who exhibited sheer precision throughout his play. The winning streak for Senegal also continued into the PUBGM title. Team Solo Esports after scaling through various missions, took home the title. 

In the Call of Duty Mobile title, Team SIERRA 7 showcased their dominance in the game, requiring each team member to be on high alert. The Free Fire title was won by Top Rated 2. Both teams are representatives of Nigeria in the tournament. 

Indeed, for a sophomore edition, Gamr X 2.0 was more than just a gaming tournament. All of the activities culminated in a celebration of Africa’s thriving esport community powered by young, passionate individuals and a testament to the continent’s rapidly growing influence in the global gaming scene as evidenced by the diversity of the players, which served as a conduit for cultural exchanges within the African context.

As the tournament ended, the memories of exhilarating matches, inspiring performances, and camaraderie among attendees lingered, leaving a lasting impact on those who attended the gaming extravaganza. 

Looking ahead, Gamr Africa’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming in Africa to attain global impact and recognition for African gamers promises a brighter future. With this instalment that saw an increase in attendance, the expansion of titles to attract new talents to share the millions of Naira worth of prizes reveals a growth trajectory. One would expect an even grander third edition next year.