[EN]Ep01. WCG (World Cyber Games): What’s the Real Deal?

Hello everyone! 

I’m Ms. Chu, the “Storyteller” at WCG. 🤗
 This is my first post since we launched WCG Story, and I’m both thrilled and a little nervous!

I’ve poured my heart into this write‑up, so even if it’s not the most riveting read (?), 

please hang in there until the end—and if you could leave a like and a comment,

I’d love to dance CHICKEN-BANANA…😂😂

Today, let’s dive into the hidden journey of WCG (World Cyber Games)

—once dubbed the “Olympics of eSports” and a pulse‑pounding event 

for gamers worldwide—and see how it’s evolved.

(Photo - Yahoo)

WCG kicked off in 2001 and quickly became the go‑to multi‑title, national‑team eSports competition. 🎮

 With rock‑solid support from Samsung Electronics, 

it grew into one of the world’s premier eSports events by 2010, 

and its national‑team format helped spark eSports growth around the globe. 🌍

But change wasn’t always easy.

In 2012, a shift to mobile platforms sparked major backlash, 

and the number of titles was slashed in a painful trial‑and‑error phase. 

On top of that, some criticized the title selection for lacking true global appeal.

Then in 2014, sponsor and funding issues forced an indefinite postponement

—and the tournament itself was canceled. 😢

(Photo - Smilegate)

Yet WCG refused to fade away. 

In 2017, Smilegate acquired the WCG trademark from Samsung 

and successfully revived the event in 2019 and 2020

—only to pause again due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. 😷

After that rollercoaster 20‑year ride, WCG took a two‑year breather. 

So, what happened next?

In January 2022, eSports specialist Big Picture Interactive 

bought 100% of WCG’s shares, giving the brand a fresh lease on life. 🚀

And that’s how the “New WCG Team” was born! (Ta‑da!)

After countless brainstorming sessions and heartfelt debates, 

we poured everything into making a spectacular comeback with WCG 2023 BUSAN. 👏👏👏

(Alright, it’s TMI time for WCG 2023—can’t skip this! 👀)

We kept the classic multi‑title national‑team competition vibe with beloved pro players, 

but also injected fresh excitement by including unexpected titles 

like Genshin Impact and Epic Seven.

On top of that, we set up interactive booths, 

fan meet‑ups, and special performances featuring top creators 

—transforming the event from a simple tournament into a true global gaming festival.

Rebranding a 20‑year‑old legacy brand is no small feat. 

It meant taking on big risks and potential pushback from longtime fans.

But under the New WCG Team’s motto—“break the mold to set new trends”

—WCG has been growing by leaps and bounds every single day. 👍

And you know what? The real New WCG launch? 

That kicked off in 2024!💓💓

But if I spill all the beans now, we’d be here all night… 

So in the next post, I’ll dive deep into “WCG’s leap into the creator market.”

I can’t wait to see what new faces and formats WCG will bring you next.😉

P.S. If you have any unforgettable WCG moments, share them in the comments!