The 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila, Philippines, will be the first international sports event in history to feature esports as a medal sport, with Razer acting as its official esports partner.

According to Fox Sports Asia, there will be a total of six games featuring in the 2019 SEA Games, including two console games, two PC games, and two mobile games. The only confirmed title so far is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which belongs in the mobile games category.

Razer will support the 2019 SEA Games with its ecosystem of hardware, software, and services, as well as its expertise and experience in esports. The company will also be supporting the Team Philippines esports athletes.

“The Philippines is the first host country to stage an esports tournament as a medal event. This lends credence to professional gaming as a true world-class sporting contest, as it engages a new generation of gaming fans,” said Philippine SEA Games
Organizing Committee (PhilSGOC) Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano. “Razer is a pioneer and a prime mover in esports, and we cannot ask for a better partner in this historic journey.”

In case you missed it, esports have actually already made their debut in an international sports event earlier this year at the 2018 Asian Games. However, they were only classified as ‘demonstrative events,’ which means that although the athletes were awarded medals, these were not counted towards the final tally and overall standings.

Six games were contested at the 2018 Asian Games, including Arena of Valor, Hearthstone, League of Legends, Clash Royale, Starcraft II and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). Some of these games might return as the five remaining contested games at the 2019 SEA Games, along with other possible additions like Dota 2, Overwatch, and more.