Robbie, what is your assessment of this first Major Counter-Strike (first person shooter video game) organized in France, at the Accor Arena in Paris-Bercy? Robbie Douek: We are very happy with the result. It is a very positive experience. For four days, the room was filled and it is unheard of. It was certainly the biggest Esport event organized in France, but also in Europe. We sold over 43,000 tickets and there were over 50,000 spectators altogether from Thursday to Sunday. Even the people in charge of the room couldn’t believe it. The logistics part also went very well. And the media coverage we had was very positive as well. So frankly, it was a great success. Especially since we have been well helped by the success of Vitality, a French team at home. We couldn’t have hoped for better.
Did you see any areas for improvement though? Any downsides? Yes, always. I’m basically a perfectionist, so I always look at what we could have done better, especially in the qualifying laps where things weren’t smooth at times. Also on marketing. If we had attacked it earlier, we would have had more French sponsors, even if we are very happy to have been able to count on Alpine. And then organizing it over a four-day weekend had its good sides – with a strong audience in the room and arguably fewer traffic jams in Paris – but also its bad, with important people in the French Esport scene not were not present due to vacation. But frankly, in my eyes, these are details compared to the very good partnership we had with Webedia and the city of Paris. Without forgetting the French government which confirmed on this occasion its interest in Esport. This event had the expected impact.
By the way, did you get any feedback from overseas to see how it was perceived in the US or elsewhere? Overall, I think people who streamed it were very happy with the product offered. , of the event. And I think that really put France on the world esports map. Now, it is clearly a major country in the world of gaming. In fact, from what I’ve heard, the success has been such that some are especially wondering why France waited so long before hosting such an event, even if there had been the League of Legends final too at the Accor Arena. Now, Paris will be seen as a real opportunity to make Esport shine. Paris, but also France, with possibly other cities that could position themselves. This has created a dynamism within the city which is very positive for the future.
You mentioned the political support of the French government. Emmanuel Macron had announced a few months ago his intention to support the French Esport sector. Was this Major the result? Yes, I think, with the arrival of two ministers (Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate in charge of the Digital Transition, and Amélie Oudéa-Castera, Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games and Paralympics) on Sunday for the final. I saw their faces when the Vitality players entered the scene and I saw their astonishment. Now they have understood the importance of Esport in the daily life of young people, the atmosphere that there could be around competitions, the popular enthusiasm. They also noticed that the public is certainly young, but perhaps older than what they thought with a majority of people in the 25-35 age bracket. Esport is not just for teenagers, far from it, and this Major has raised some awareness on the subject. Likewise, some have seen that there is enormous talent and potential in France, which must be supported and helped. And I’m not just talking about players but the whole Esport ecosystem that can be found around.
In this respect, there is the question of VAT which has been mentioned. Do you think this needs to change? Unfortunately, we remain the exception that proves the rule. We organized the biggest Esport event in France and this difference in VAT has a strong impact. Someone has to make a decision on this. I am not a politician, but it takes a decision maker to decide where Esport is. Are we a sport, a technology? It is the same debate in all countries. Does anyone know if we belong in the sports, cultural, digital scene? We have our ass between two chairs, as we say in French (smile). This must change, because it is damaging to the Esport ecosystem and it prevents the holding and organization of more major international events in France.
How do you see the future of Esport in France now? I think France should be able to organize at least one big Esport event every year, either in Paris or in another city. You have to realize that it’s not just Counter Strike, there’s also LOL, Rainbow Six, Rocket League, Valorant… There are so many disciplines. Now, France has taken its place on the map and the enthusiasm must not wane. Paris is at the heart of Europe, there is strong political support, we must continue. Above all, it creates jobs. On this Major alone, we hired nearly 400 people. With Blast, we would be delighted to return regularly to France for premium tournaments. And the publishers also have a strong relationship with France because there is such a base of players. We would therefore be crazy not to come back here as there are so many beautiful things to do there.
