Hello!
I thought any fan of competitive PUBG should know some of these things before you start watching EWC.
I will link a few videos (made by people in the Valorant scene, including the caster Sideshow, and renowned
esportsjournalist Richard Lewis) who explain how the Saudi-Arabian government is using the EWC as
esportswashing of their constant violations of international human rights. If youre at all curious about this subject I hope you watch them.
10 min video by Travis Gafford
1 hour deepdive video by Sideshow
Amnesty Internationals Human rights overview of Saudi Arabia
TLDR of why I think we should not watch EWC:
Owned by SA government (through the Public Investment Fund) and used as "circus" to make young people forget about their human rights violations
Arresting and or executing citizens and journalists who are critical of the regime
Arresting and or executing citizens and visitors who are LGBTQ+
Organizers and esportsorganizations cant guarantee the safety of their own players, staff and crew
Players are contractually not allowed to say anything negative about the event, at all, on their social media
Theres simply too many issues to mention them all sadly.
Even if you decide to watch this tournament I wanted you to know about the things going on behind the scenes.
I love PUBG esports but I'm not watching this trash and I hope you wont either.
2 Comments
Let me be upfront and clear: This is not a critique of the people of Saudi Arabia, not of the players or cast or crew
(even tho I disagree with them attending), but of Krafton, PUBG Corp and whoever runs PUBG Esports.
I’m sure the $ each org and players make from the event is enough to make everyone sleep well at night.