Blast Premier World Final, one of the largest esports tournaments with a prize pool of $1 million, returns to Abu Dhabi this month for the second time.
The two day event at Etihad Arena, on December 16 and 17, will bring together top teams from around the world. Gamers will also get the opportunity to meet esports champions, try out the latest titles and consoles and experience what's it like to compete on stage like a professional.
Andrew Haworth, the director of operations at Blast Premier World Final, says the event's return to the UAE is a sign that the gaming industry in the country is maturing.
“There's an incredible growing passion and fan base for esports across the Middle East and specifically within the UAE and Abu Dhabi,” he tells The National.
“There’s a huge sort of strength in the region of both organisations and teams that are committed and based out of the region.”
At last year’s Blast Premier World Final, German organisation G2 Esports took home the top prize of $500,000, with second place going to Team Liquid from the Netherlands, who received $250,000 in prize money. Third place was shared between global team Faze Clan and Danish team OG, who each took home $85,000.
“You are seeing a huge growth of the athletes coming through and performing to that top tier,” Haworth says. He also hopes to see a regional team represented at the Blast Premier World Final soon.
“I'd love to see and expect to see a team that's either, you know, regionally owned or a regional player based here that's playing in our world final, maybe in two or three years’ time,” he says.
The region’s gaming community celebrated a major success this year after Amjad “Angrybird” Al Shalabi won the top prize at Evo, the most prestigious tournament in fighting games.
At the Blast Premier World Final, the main game of the tournament is Counter Strike, a first-person shooting game that pits teams against each other to see who comes out on top.
First released in 2000, Counter Strike's popularity has only grown over the years. According to statistics released by the video game live streaming service Twitch, the average number of viewers watching a Counter Strike stream is 61,399, making it the 9th most viewed game or genre on the streaming site.
“The basis of Counter Strike is that of five people trying to work out how to achieve something and someone trying to defend that,” Haworth says, explaining its popularity.
“There's huge levels of complexity within the game, but it's approachable and easy to understand.”
At Blast Premier World Final, fans will have the opportunity to “see the world's best athletes compete at the height of their powers for the biggest title they'll play for this year”, says Haworth.
The 2023 Blast Premier World Final will take place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on December 16 and 17. Tickets and more information are available at etihadarena.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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