The ANNOTICO Report
Monza will be the first European City to host the World
Cyber Games Grand
Final.
Monza was selected for receiving the highest scores in
venue, accessibility
and city government support. In addition, accessibility
from the players'
village to the Autodromo cultural and shopping facilities,
security and
Monza's advanced IT infrastructure as a business hub
in Europe were
contributing factors in the winning decision.
Monza beat out bids from candidate cities, Sydney,
Australia; Cancun,
Mexico; and Shanghai, China.
World Cyber Games brings the Grand Final to European gamers
and e-Sports
fans
(Monza, August 3, 2005) The World Cyber Games Committee
(Co-chairmen
Dong-chea Chung and Jong-yong Yun) announced today that
Monza, Italy,
famous for its Formula One racing circuit, was selected
as the host city
for the 2006 World Cyber Games Grand Final, the world's
largest computer
and video game festival.
Located in northeast Milan, Monza is the third largest
city in the Lombardy
province of Italy. Monza is known as the economic, industrial
and
administrative center of the Brianza sub-region, supporting
a textile
industry and a publishing trade. It is expected that
up to 800 of the
world's most elite gamers will descend on Monza in 2006
to participate in
the world's most prestigious e-Sports competition and
enjoy a well-rounded
cultural festival designed to advance cultural and social
harmony.
"Our City Administration is deeply interested in any event
related to the
younger generation and in which youths are involved with
sport and cultural
activities. That's why we are thrilled and greatly honoured
that Monza has
been chosen as the host city for the world's largest
e-Sports event next
year," said Mr. Michele Faglia, Mayor of Monza. "Being
the first European
City to host the World Cyber Games Grand Final will help
us strengthen the
relationship between the young generation and these new
electronic
activities."
The World Cyber Games Committee (WCGC) vigorously reviewed
bids from
candidate cities such as Sydney, Australia; Cancun, Mexico;
and Shanghai,
China. Strict criteria were followed addressing issues
like location,
facilities, infrastructure and promotional efforts. While
all candidates
demonstrated a strong will to host the event, Monza was
selected for
receiving the highest scores in venue, accessibility
and city government
support. In addition, accessibility from the players'
village to the
Autodromo cultural and shopping facilities, security
and Monza's advanced
IT infrastructure as a business hub in Europe were contributing
factors in
the winning decision.
Yun Jong-yong, the WCGC Co-chairman and CEO & Vice
Chairman of Samsung
Electronics, said, "We are pleased to award the 2006
World Cyber Games
Grand Final to Monza because it is a hub of international
business, culture
and education, furthering our aim to achieve world harmony
through digital
entertainment. The World Cyber Games brings tremendous
benefits to its host
cities and we are keen to see Monza reap these benefits."
Monza offered its famous Autodromo Nazionale Monza, best
known for hosting
the Italian Grand Prix, as the venue for the 2006 Grand
Final. It will be
the first time the Grand Final is held in a racing circuit,
promising a
more thrilling atmosphere for gamers and spectators.
Started as the World Cyber Challenge in 2000, the World
Cyber Games was
first officially held in 2001 and 2005 marks its fifth
year. It has grown
to be the world's largest computer and video games festival,
expecting more
than 800 gamers from over 70 countries for the 2005 Grand
Final in
Singapore, November 16 - 20. After being staged in Korea
from 2000 to 2003,
the Grand Final was held in San Francisco in 2004.
The World Cyber Games 2005 Italian National Final ended
in June, producing
12 players and a one clan, who will represent Italy at
this year's Grand
Final in Singapore. Up to one million gamers worldwide
are expected to
participate in online, local, regional and national competitions
in the
build up to the Grand Final this year.
Samsung Electronics is a global sponsor for the World Cyber Games.
World Cyber Games
South Korea-based International Cyber Marketing (www.worldcybergames.com)
is the global organizer of the World Cyber Games, the
world's largest
computer and video game festival, and is responsible
for all World Cyber
Games interactive game tournaments to be held in about
70 countries this
year. This year the winners of each national event series
will compete for
the world championship title and prizes worth more than
$400,000. Last
year's World Cyber Games Grand Final was held in San
Francisco, US with
more than 642 gamers from 59 countries, attracting major
media such as The
New York Times, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco
Chronicle, CNN,
Associated Press, Reuters, ABC, NBC, CBS, and many more.