A new international governing body for esports called the Global Esports Federation (GEF) has just launched in Singapore with backing from Chinese internet giant Tencent.
The organization said it will stage the annual Global Esports Games. The first event is expected to be held in China at the end of next year. Besides putting many industry heavyweights on its board, the organization also enlisted Tencent as its founding global partner. Tencent likens the organization to FIFA, but for esports instead of football.
The announcement comes as esports continues to gain more recognition, having made its debut this month as a medal sport at the Southeast Asian Games. This is the first time esports has been included in a multi-sport competition recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
There are already other international governing bodies for esports, but none have been recognized as the official global governing body for the industry. The most notable organization so far is the International Esports Federation (IeSF), an 11-year-old body with members from 56 different countries.