The NTT DOCOMO's E-Sports League "X-MOMENT" launched in January 2021 has attracted attention as the largest professional league in Japan sponsored by mobile carriers.Let's look back on what was the first year and one of the titles, "Pubg Mobile".
In the PUBG Mobile league, in addition to the total prize money of 300 million yen, it was also a hot topic that 3.5 million yen a year was guaranteed a year to live as a professional.While the winning team of the first league can participate in the World Games, the second division league and the open tournament with free participation have provided a way to become a "professional gamer" if you have the ability.
It seems that DOCOMO also aimed to establish a domestic e -sports market in Japan.Mobile and gaming are compatible, and high -end terminals are active because the level of requirements such as high processing capacity, screen drawing, touch input response, and low -delay lines are high among them.In the first year, with the sponsorship of Samsung Electronics, "Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5g" was the official competition terminal.
PUBG Mobile is a battle royal game in which up to 100 players fight with survival.In addition to mere shooting, there are random elements such as the shrinking of the "safety zone" and the supplies that can be picked up.
In the first half of the game, "Reject", which had been active in the world tournament before the start of the league, was the lead.The difference in points from the second place was large, and docomo officials highly appreciated that they were investing in a big investment as a team.On the other hand, in the second half of the game, the difference in the team's ability has shrunk, and it is in a mixed battle where the team will not know which team will win.However, REJECT won the lead in the first half of the game.
In the following 2022, the lower two teams in the first league and the top two teams in the second league will be replaced.In the second division league, REJECT's brother team, REJECT ACADEMY, ranked second, but the problem occurred here.According to the league rules, it is "one owner and one team", and REJECT ACADEMY cannot be promoted to the first league.
This agreement seems to be unavoidable, given the game characteristics of PUBG Mobile.If the two teams of the same owner participate, even if they declare that they will fight without any effort, there will always be situations where cooperation is suspected.On December 9, it announced that it will recruit the REJECT ACADEMY team "transfer destination".
So why did you participate in the war, despite the possibility that you could not be promoted from the 2nd league (PMCL) to the first league (PMJL)?It is said that both the docomo side, the team and the players, and both the team and the players were participating after understanding in advance.In the first division, the second division league seemed to be an opportunity to train players, as the age was limited to 18 years old or older.
Reject Co., Ltd., the owner of both teams, explains the background as follows.
Participating in the largest professional league in Japan will definitely be a track record for young players.The problem is that the team's transfer destination was not found, and according to DOCOMO, the team, which was third in the second league, will be promoted by the rules.I want you to find a transfer destination.
Postscript on February 16, 2022:
PMJL Season2 player list has been announced.Former REJECT ACADEMY players are participating as a new team "BEENOSTORM" by the BEENOS group.(Click here for the press release of the team launch)
PUBG Mobile is a title that anyone can easily play on a smartphone, so it tends to be casual like other smartphone games.However, the launch of the docomo's professional league has provided a place where professional players can play an active part, and it can be said that it has been established as a business.
2021 was a year when the situation of the corona evil changed rapidly, but I think that it was demonstrating the strengths of e -sports that can hold and watch games even in remote.Although there were incidents such as earthquakes on the way, it was often operated even in the change, such as moving to offline venue after the emergency declaration was released.
What is worrisome is the "Pubg: New State" released as a new title in November.The game character similar to the PC version of PUBG is reproduced on mobile, and the operation feeling has changed dramatically.On the other hand, Pubg Mobile so far has been continued.
The competition title in the DOCOMO league is PUBG Mobile in 2022.Mobile PUBGs have two titles coexisting, and it is likely that some kind of cooperation will be made in the future, as the New State may be excited in the future.