Singapore to host 2005 WCG

Singapore is hosting the World Cyber Games (WCG) in 2005.

The WCG expects the selection of Singapore, an international business city and a hub of culture and education, will help attract around 800 players to the world’s largest game festival.

Teo Ming Kian, chairman of the Singapore Economic Develop-ment Board, said, "We are excited and honored to be the host country for the world’s largest e-sports event next year. The World Cyber Games 2005 is a boost to our efforts to position Singapore as the Asia-Pacific hub of the rapidly growing games market."

In choosing the host city of the WCG 2005, the WCG Committee screened candidate-cities such as Taipei, Milan and Hanover. Singapore received the highest score in terms of venue, accessibility and other aspects.

WCGC president Chang Il-Hyung, acting for Yun Jong-yong, WCGC co-chairman and CEO and vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, said Singapore, an international hub of business, culture and education, best suits the spirit of WCG for achieving world harmony and implementing digital entertainment.

The WCGC plans to continue enhancing the WCG’s global image by holding the event overseas – in San Francisco this year and Singapore next year.

The WCG, which started as the World Cyber Challenge in 2000, was officially held as the World Cyber Games in 2001 and will mark its fourth staging this year.

It has grown to be a "dream festival" for gamers around the world with its ever-increasing number of participating countries. It was previously held in Korean cities such as Seoul and Daejun.

Some 700 gamers from 64 nations will be competing in the five-day WCG 2004 Grand Finals to be held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, USA on Oct. 6-10.