The $300,000 Skyesports Championship 2024 gets underway today, with teams having already arrived in Mumbai. However, initial feedback from some players regarding their setups has been less than favourable. What are the sources of these concerns, and how might they impact the tournament?
The condition of the players' training rooms has been disappointing, raising questions about India’s preparedness to host major tournaments featuring top teams. The issues with the facilities at Skyesports Championship 2024 highlight the current state of cybersports infrastructure in the country.
Skyesports has described the event as a “semi-LAN” tournament. Group stage matches will be held at the Taj Lands End Hotel, where teams will compete remotely from their practice rooms. While players have already identified some problems, it remains to be seen how the playoffs, which will be staged at the hotel’s dedicated arena, will unfold.
The participating teams are in place, and BLEED’s coach Kassad has commented that the hotel, hospitality, and internet meet Tier 1 standards. However, he noted that the settings and PCs still need to be evaluated.
In the meantime, BetBoom player Magnojez has shared a video from the training room, revealing damaged tables and PCs with unactivated Windows. Additionally, these computers have unnecessary games and various pieces of junk installed, which could hinder their performance.
According to the players, although the monitors are rated at 240 Hz, the computers are only producing around 200 FPS. The tables are in poor condition, merely covered with a cloth to mask their shabby appearance. This situation mirrors what was seen at the India Gaming Carnival 2012, where the tables also had a similarly worn look.
Skyesports had previously released photos of the teams arriving at the hotel. The Indian organisation Revenant, which is hosting its European roster in its home country for the first time, has drawn particular attention.
These issues could significantly impact the tournament, potentially affecting player preparation and morale. With a history of hosting major tournaments in India, there are concerns that the Skyesports Championship 2024 might repeat past mistakes. Although Skyesports is endeavouring to improve conditions for participants, the current state of the group stage facilities still needs improvement. The real test will be in the playoff stage, where the conditions will be scrutinised more closely.