Konami’s e-Premier 12: A Virtual Home Run or a Strike Out?
So, folks, the illustrious world of e-sports is getting a hefty dose of baseball fame, courtesy of Konami Digital Entertainment! They’ve announced they’ll be in the finals of the “Hughan WBSC e-Premier 12 2024,” and if that name doesn’t roll off the tongue like a slippy sausage, I don’t know what does!
But wait, there’s more! Ichiro, a baseball legend from both the Japanese and American scenes—yes, that Ichiro, the one who could practically hit a baseball while blindfolded, is making a special guest appearance!
What’s This e-Premier 12 All About Then?
“e-Premier 12” looks to be the official esports showcase where the world’s best come together for digital home runs and virtual strikeouts. They’ll be using the WBSC’s very own “WBSC eBASEBALL (TM) Powerful Professional Baseball” video game. And if the title’s length put you off, just think of it as the video game equivalent of a baseball player wearing too many accessories—just a touch gaudy!
The tournament will unfold in Tokyo Dome—yes, actual baseball hallowed ground—between November 21st and November 23rd, where the top e-athletes from across the globe will compete for fame, glory, and maybe a virtual trophy that weighs about as much as a butterfly. Not to underestimate butterflies; they can really pack a punch!
Meet the Tech-Savvy Sluggers!
In this first-ever showdown, some of the e-sports champions taking the field include:
- SHORA (Japan) – Known for winning everything from Olympic Virtual Series to Tokyo eSports Festa. He might as well be a baseball deity at this point!
- NEGRAY (Japan) – A finalist in the e-Premier 12 qualifiers. If Australia ever needed a hero from Kyoto, here he is!
- Ben Zen (Mexico) – Bringing the heat from Nuevo Leon, but with no past tournament wins. It’s like putting a toddler in a monster truck—absolutely adorable, but potentially dangerous!
- Dashu (Chinese Taipei) – Use of Panama team—perhaps a strategic decision, or just a fancy hoodie choice?
Live Streaming: The Digital Showdown!
If you’re intrigued (or simply bored), you can catch their Super Round starting November 21st at 15:00 JST, with the finals on November 23rd at 16:00 JST. Stream it all on YouTube, where you can watch the digital shredding unfold from the comfort of your couch, much like watching real baseball—only without the risk of a rogue fly ball! Check out the links below for the streaming goodness:
Super Round Delivery: Watch Here!
Finals Delivery: Watch Here!
Why is This Important?
Aside from the “holy grail of video games meets sports” factor, this event is being supported by prominent baseball alumni. Who knew old baseball players could find a second career commentating e-sports? It’s like finding out your granddad hosts rave parties on the weekend. Trust me; it’s a win-win for everyone, even if they may need a crash course in technology!
But it’s not just for show! Konami is on a grand quest to expand the realm of e-sports to new audiences. Who thought people would be feverishly cheering from their living rooms for people playing video games of a sport that stands still while a giant screen lights up with the action? I’d love to see the fanfare at the finals—think ‘World Series’, but without the nacho cheese spill disasters.
Wrapping It Up Like a Baseball Glove!
So there you have it! The e-Premier 12 is set to create virtual thrills and spills as players battle it out in the digital diamond of the Tokyo Dome. Will Konami knock it out of the park, or will it be a bitter strikeout? One thing’s for sure; we’ll be glued to our screens, popcorn in hand, ready to witness history (or a well-crafted virtual re-enactment). Let’s just hope the game doesn’t glitch—because we all know how that ends: with lots of shouting and not much else!
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. proudly announces its participation in the highly anticipated finals of the baseball e-sports world tournament known as “Hughan WBSC e-Premier 12 2024” (hereafter referred to as “e-Premier 12”), an event backed by the esteemed World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), an organization with deep roots in both Japanese and American baseball. Adding to the excitement, legendary baseball figure Ichiro Suzuki will grace the event as a special guest.
“e-Premier 12” represents a thrilling e-sports tournament organized by the WBSC, featuring the WBSC’s official video game, “WBSC eBASEBALL(TM) Powerful Professional Baseball,” which Konami has developed and published. This inaugural tournament coincides with the renowned “World Baseball WBSC Premier 12,” taking place at the iconic Tokyo Dome from November 21st, with the e-Premier 12 finals scheduled for November 23rd, promising a spectacular showcase of talent in a historic venue.
In a celebration of the inaugural e-Premier 12, Ichiro, a monumental figure in both Japanese and American baseball history, will participate as a special guest during the opening ceremony and the awards ceremony, honoring the exceptional players competing for the title of e-Premier 12’s first champion.
Additionally, on Wednesday, November 21st, at the esports Ginza studio in Tokyo’s vibrant Ginza district, a thrilling Super Round will commence, featuring four outstanding players from around the globe: Ben Zen from Mexico, Dashu from Chinese Taipei, SHORA from Japan, and NEGRAY. This stage will unfold in a competitive round-robin format, with the top two players advancing to the finals slated for Saturday, November 23rd.
The Super Round on November 21st (Thursday) and the final match on November 23rd (Saturday) will both be made accessible for viewing via live streaming. Notable professional baseball alumni, including Seiichi Uchikawa, Kennobu Kawakami, Hisashi Iwakuma, and game commentator Taiji, will join as broadcast guests, enhancing the viewing experience.
Player name: SHORA
Birthplace: Japan/Osaka
Team used: Japan
Results from other tournaments:
2021 Olympic Virtual Series Baseball Competition Champion
Olympic esports series 2023 baseball competition championship
Tokyo eSports Festa 2024 Winner
WBSC eBASEBALL(TM) Series 2023 World Final Winner
Player name: NEGRAY
Birthplace: Japan/Kyoto
Team used: Australia
Results from other tournaments:
2021 Olympic Virtual Series Finals Participation
ePremier 12 1st Global Qualifying Winner
Player name: Ben Zen
Birthplace: Nuevo Leon/Mexico
Team used: Mexico
Results from other tournaments: –
Player name: Dashu
Birthplace: Chinese Taipei
Team used: Panama
Results from other tournaments: –
Hugan ePremier 12 | WBSC eBASEBALL(TM) Powerful Professional Baseball Official Site
https://www.konami.com/pawa/wbsc/ja/event/epremier12/final
Please support the passionate battle for the first e-Premier 12 champion that will be held at Tokyo Dome.
Konami Digital Entertainment intends to continue its collaboration with diverse partners to broaden the appeal of esports globally, with the goal of expanding the community of esports enthusiasts.
[What is the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)]
The WBSC serves as the global governing body for baseball and softball, strategically located in Puri, near Lausanne, Switzerland. The organization encompasses 207 national federations and associated member organizations throughout 137 countries and regions, spanning Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. It plays a pivotal role in coordinating and promoting competitive baseball and softball, attracting over 65 million athletes and approximately 150 million spectators to stadiums every year. The WBSC oversees all international competitions featuring official national teams, including prestigious events such as the Premier 12, Baseball World Cup across various age categories, Softball World Cups, and esports world championships, as well as governing baseball and softball events at the Olympic Games.
[About our company’s efforts in e-sports related to baseball]
Since 2016, we have dedicated ourselves to the growth and revitalization of e-sports, establishing national tournaments for the “Powerful Professional Baseball” series as a cornerstone of our efforts. Our initiatives have also fostered regional development through partnerships, such as with the Ehime e-baseball tournament, a cultural program tied to the Ehime National Athletic Meet. In collaboration with the Japan Baseball Organization (NPB) since 2018, we have initiated a professional e-sports league while working alongside the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) to nurture baseball’s popularity globally. The “Powerful Professional Baseball” series has been prominently featured in international competitions, including the “Olympic Virtual Series 2021” and the “Olympic eSports Series 2023,” both sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
That’s all
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Ing international competitions and fostering the growth of baseball and softball worldwide. The WBSC also aims to enhance the visibility and support for these sports at both grassroots and elite levels, working closely with the International Olympic Committee to ensure their prominence on the global sporting stage.
The e-Premier 12 aims to bridge the gap between traditional sports and the rapidly evolving world of esports, showcasing how they can coexist and engage fans in innovative ways. Through events like this, Konami and the WBSC are not just promoting a game but also highlighting the cultural significance and global reach of baseball, ensuring it resonates with a younger generation that thrives in a digital environment.
As we approach the dates of this groundbreaking event, it’s clear that the e-Premier 12 at Tokyo Dome is set to not only entertain but also inspire a new wave of e-sports enthusiasts and baseball fans alike. The combination of seasoned players and fresh talent will make this a must-watch event for all who appreciate sports in any form. So gear up, gather your snacks, and get ready to tune in as history unfolds in the digital diamond!