Esports diplomacy: Macron and Saudi Crown Prince attend Paris tournament

Two world leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, attended the biggest international esports competition in Paris. Their presence underscores the significance that nations place on establishing a presence in the rapidly evolving video game industry, which is closely tied to AI advancements. The visit marked the beginning of a two-day official trip for Prince Mohammed to Paris.

The tournament, organized by the Saudi non-profit Esports Foundation, drew over 2,000 participants from 24 online games played in a seven-week event. The winner, Chinese team AG.AL, defeated the two-time Saudi champion Team Falcons. The competition, now in its third iteration, has been held outside Riyadh for the first time, reflecting France's efforts to engage with the esports industry and diversify its economy.

France's decision to host the event, attributed to concerns over the US-Iran war, was deemed a natural fit two years after hosting the Olympic Games, according to Andy Miah, chairman of science communication and future media at the University of Salford in the UK. Miah noted the growing importance of esports as a creative industry and a vehicle for innovation.

Meanwhile, a Macron adviser revealed that Saudi Arabia expressed satisfaction with the tournament's organization in Paris and viewed it as a mutually beneficial outcome. The advisers also mentioned that Saudi organizers had considered moving the event abroad before the start of the regional conflict to enhance its international appeal.

Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in the global gaming industry, most recently acquiring US video game company Electronic Arts for $55 million. EA is renowned for its franchises such as Battlefield, The Sims, and EA Sports FC. This strategic investment provides access to esports titles and future audiences.

Esports is part of a new innovation economy that is capturing the attention of various governments, propelling them towards becoming AI superpowers. Nvidia, a US tech company, is among the entities developing AI chips and gaming computers. Participation in competitions like the Esports World Cup can be seen as a pathway to achieving AI superpower status, as per Miah's perspective.