BLAST.tv Americas RMR Press Conference
The BLAST.tv Paris Major Americas RMR is immediately getting underway the day before the competitors enter into the server. We will be joined by CEO of Liga ACE, Octavio Echeagaray Trevino, Production and Operations Manager of BLAST, Andrew Haworth, representatives from Liquid and FURIA, as well as Edgar "MarKE" Maldonado from Nouns, as the only Mexican player in the tournament.
Follow along as we update with quotes, interesting questions, comments, or breaking news!
01:35PM - The question and answer segment of the conference has now begun.
In hosting the RMRs, BLAST specifically chose Liga ACE to operate the Americas RMR. When asked about that choice to host with Liga and in Mexico versus in the United States or Brazil, Andrew Haworth talked about the previous relationship that BLAST has established with Liga ACE for multiple years now. He said it was a non-negotiable to hold the RMR in the Americas region, and from there, it logically followed to partner with Liga ACE as a long-established partner in the region.
Trevino was asked about the future of Liga ACE's involvement with Counter-Strike events in Mexico in the future. He reaffirmed Liga ACE's support for Counter-Strike in the coming years, saying that it was a strong esport that his company is happy to support and run events for.
Each representative was asked about the promise of Mexico as a new esports hub. Haworth responded that esports has no ceiling, and with a young population, Monterrey and Mexico are great places to invest into for the future of esports.
In response to a question about team bootcamps and athletic visas, the government representative was open to talking with teams about streamlining the visa process, and overall making an easier system to host esports teams and events in the region. It is imperative for the region to allow esports athletes easy access if it wants to become the bustling esports hub it desires, and the government is aware of this and doing what it can to help teams, players, and tournaments.
01:30PM - A government official of Monterrey addresses the audience, speaking of the honor to host a tournament for all of the Americas region in Monterrey. He hopes to continue to grow Monterrey as a regional esports hub.
01:25PM - Andrew Haworth, Production and Operations Manager at BLAST, is making his introductions. He notes BLAST's unprecedented growth over the past two decades, growing from just Counter-Strike to multiple titles across multiple continents. He spoke about the necessity to host the Americas RMR in America, as opposed to previous Majors which held the RMRs all in Europe. He also notes the growth of BLAST's own streaming product, BLAST.tv, which the company has pushed consumers towards as a way of diversifying just out of tournament organization.
01:15PM - Octavio Echeagaray Trevino, the CEO of Liga ACE, has made his introductions. He notes that he is proud that Lige ACE was able to host part of a prestigious Major, and is looking forward to further tournaments in Counter-Strike. He also echoed previous sentiments of making Mexico a hub for gaming and esports, saying that Liga ACE is making that dream a reality. As a goal for the company, Trevino wants to create a "healthy esports ecosystem to create more opportunities for young people to dedicate themselves to esports".
01:00PM - The conference has begun with introductions from various Liga ACE members and tournament staff. One representative says Liga ACE is excited to make Monterrey and Mexico a regional and global hub of esports, starting with this RMR tournament.
