Team from Thailand wins second title in two weeks to earn lion’s share of $1m prize pool to add to PUBG Mobile World Invitational triumph RIYADH: Gamers8 concluded its elite esports calendar on Saturday night with Vampire Esports claiming the PUBG MOBILE Afterparty Showdown crown at the purpose-built Esports Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City. Following the success of Rocket League, Dota 2, Fortnite, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and the PUBG Mobile World Invitational, the latest competition wrapped up the Gamers8 professional tournaments that began back on July 14. Vampire Esports, who began Saturday’s play in the three-day event 27 points down, stormed back to add the Afterparty Showdown crown — as well as the lion’s share of the $1 million prize pool — to last week’s scintillating PMWI triumph. Sir Tanny, coach of the team from Thailand, said: “It is a great honor to win two championships in a row. We started out the Afterparty Showdown determined to reach our goal of two championships — we didn’t want anyone else to lift that trophy. We are so delighted. “Winning the money was a huge inspiration to the players. It means so much to them and their families. For their parents to see them succeeding at what they are good at and love doing — they are just so thankful that they have reached their dreams.” Asked to sum up Gamers8, the Vampire Esports players declared unanimously: “The best in the world.” Sir Tanny added: “All of the team think this is the best tournament they have been at — everything from the organization to the support for the players. We all have many happy memories from Saudi Arabia.” Claiming 180 points and first place at the Afterparty Showdown, which featured 12 teams, saw Vampire Esports take home $167,000 to add to the $500,000 earned from their PMWI success. Second place at the Afterparty Showdown, and the award of $144,000, went to Alpha7 Esports from Brazil, who scored 174 points. S2G Esports from Turkey pipped Saudi Arabian stars Team Falcons to third, with each side earning $116,000 and $109,000 respectively after a total of 129 to 116 points. Fifth at the Afterparty Showdown, and taking away $83,000, were Stalwart Esports from Mongolia, who notched 115 points. Faisal bin Hamran, head of esports at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “When we created the concept for Gamers8, it was with the intention of bringing to life something spectacular. And I can unequivocally say that we have succeeded in that quest. “Gamers8 has seen the best in the world battle it out over five incredible titles: Rocket League, Dota 2, Fortnite, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and PUBG Mobile — and it has been everything we anticipated and much, much more. With a standard of competition that excelled throughout, each of the five titles participating in Gamers8 has provided moments of drama that will truly live long in the memory. “The benchmark set by Gamers8 in Saudi Arabia may be high, but I can assure all who love gaming and esports in the Kingdom that our annual season is only going to get even better. Watch this space for 2023.”