‘The stars have aligned’ say EA as ALGS Finals head to Japan

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'The stars have aligned' say EA as ALGS Finals head to Japan

As a lifelong gamer hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun, this news of ALGS finals coming to Japan has filled me with nothing but sheer elation! Growing up playing Apex Legends and seeing characters like Valkyrie representing my own culture made me incredibly proud.

For the first time since competitive Apex Legends was born, EA has announced it will be heading to Asia to round off its inaugural multi-regional ALGS.

Following the staging of Split 1 in Los Angeles, U.S., and Split 2 in Mannheim, Germany (with a brief stopover in Saudi Arabia for the authorized Esports World Cup), the circumstances have become favorable for Electronic Arts (EA) to venture into regions that lie even further to the east than they ever have before.

In a recent interview, GGRecon spoke with Jasmine Chaing, the Senior Brand Marketing Manager for ALGS, as Electronic Arts announced that Sapporo, Japan, will serve as the venue for the World Championships finale in January.

EA Reveal ALGS finals to be held in Japan

'The stars have aligned' say EA as ALGS Finals head to Japan

The fourth annual ALGS World Championships are scheduled to take place at the Daiwa House PREMIST DOME in Sapporo, Japan, between January 29 and February 2, 2025.

As a dedicated gamer like me, I’ve been yearning to venture to Japan for quite some time now. When I consider the passionate community of The Apex gamers, it’s evident that the U.S. and Japan are where the heart of the fanbase lies. The fans have been clamoring for it, the pros have been requesting it, and we’ve been eager to oblige. And finally, this time around, everything seems to be falling into place!

Sapporo, located towards the northern part of Japan, is approximately a 16-hour drive from Tokyo. Despite its distance, Chaing emphasized its breathtaking beauty and winter wonderland appeal, while EA felt instinctively that Daiwa House would be an ideal venue for our purposes.

As an ardent enthusiast, I can’t help but share my insights into our event planning strategy. It all begins much earlier than you might think – often months, even a year before the big day. In the initial stages, we embark on numerous venue visits to truly grasp which location will be the perfect match for the ALGS.

“Many venues may not be able to accommodate a 55-meter stage, and they might lack the necessary room for audience engagement activities and community building initiatives that we are committed to.”

Upon entering the Daiwa House Prima Stone in Sapporo for the first time, it took us just 10 minutes to exclaim, “This is the place!” The sensation you experience there – though hard to put into words – is significantly influenced by our intuition.

“Sapporo city is equally remarkable! Their enthusiasm for this event mirrors ours. We’re confident that we share outstanding collaborators to realize our shared vision.”

EA excited to lean into Asian and Japanese culture for ALGS finals

'The stars have aligned' say EA as ALGS Finals head to Japan

In the gaming world, Apex Legends is quite prominent, featuring a variety of characters known as legends. Remarkably, several of these characters are inspired by different Asian nations: Rampart, Crypto, Alter, and Valkyrie, each originating from fictional worlds within Apex Legends’ narrative, represent India, South Korea, China, and Japan respectively. There are many more characters in the game that draw inspiration from these countries.

In the development of the storyline and promotional efforts, the legends are expected to hold significant importance, as Valkyrie extends a warm welcome to her followers into her dwelling.

Chaing stated, “I believe incorporating local customs is crucial for an event, and this can be observed at Split 2 Playoffs. For instance, you notice characters such as Octane, Lifeline, and Seer running on a path similar to the Autobahn, with signs resembling real highway signs from the Autobahn. Additionally, there’s a small Nessie figure dressed in traditional Bavarian attire. These subtle details are where we aimed to infuse local culture into the event.”

As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but feel intrigued by the enigmatic air surrounding Japan and EA, as Chaing cryptically hinted, “You’ll just have to wait and see.” Yet, her subtle suggestions of secret surprises from EA has me on the edge of my seat with anticipation.

During our tours, I stepped into a shopping mall where Apex toys filled the stores. It was quite remarkable to behold.

For the very first time, our team, the A LGS, will be venturing into Asia. I’m thrilled about this opportunity to connect with a new audience. I have no doubt that the enthusiasts will be absolutely overjoyed.

During the peak of the Split 2 Playoffs, it was announced where the ALGS Finals would take place. This is when the teams wrapped up the regular season and demonstrated what we should anticipate at this top-tier tournament, which will occur in January.

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2024-09-01 23:13