Saudi Arabian esports organization Team Falcons has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with creative content production company Manga Productions. According to Manga Productions’ social media, the two organizations plan to collaborate in the fields of anime, manga and video games. As of now, few details have been shared in regards to the partnership. However, Team Falcons revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that updates on joint initiatives with Manga Productions will follow in the future.
Manga Productions is a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, owned by Saudia Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman. The company specializes in producing animations as well as developing video games and comics. Saudi Arabian esports organization Team Falcons was founded in 2018 and competes in various titles, such as Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, and Dota 2. This year, Falcons teamed up with coffee brand Barns. Moreover, the team expanded into Mobile Legends: Bang Bang following a partnership with the Southeast Asian organization AP. Bren.
Team Falcons was also one of 30 organization that joined the Esports World Cup Foundation Club Support Program. The project provides annual financial injections to member teams. The Esports World Cup, backed by the Saudi Arabian Prime Minister, was a multi-title event that featured a $60m (~£45.4M) total prize pool and more than 20 tournaments. Team Falcons ultimately walked out of the event as Club Championship victors.
Global developments such as the Esports World Cup, however, have been criticized by some voices in the industry. Critics argue that Saudi Arabia’s esports investments are an act of ‘esports washing’ to distract from the country’s human rights record, especially regarding LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and freedom of speech.
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