SA takes Mobile Gold

Tammy Brook-Smith, 15, from Paarl in the Western Cape took home gold in the mobile competition at the World Cyber Games (WCG), which finished on Sunday in Singapore.

Brook-Smith won the Chopper rescue competition and took home US$ 2000 (R13 360) beating a representative Paul L Antonio from the Philippines in the Chopper Rescue final.

The South African team consisting of four team members and a manager was sent to the WCG by Exactmobile and First National Bank (FNB). The other three gamers who represented South Africa in the mobile competition were Werner De Lange, 36, from Centurion who almost made it into the Goolie final; Ethen Reuben, 27, from Tzaneen (Mid Town Madness); Christo Janse van Vuuren, 23, from Springs (Bruce Lee).

Davin Mole, Exactmobile CEO, says Exactmobile is overjoyed that Brook-Smith took home first place in one of the finals.

“With this being the first year that the WCG has had a mobile competition, our gamers had nothing to compare themselves to. The simply had to go to Singapore and give it their best shot. Its therefore amazing that Tammy brought home gold – we’re really delighted for her and the team.”

Mole says the tournament and Brook-Smith’s gold should give more profile to mobile gaming in South Africa.

“Mobile gaming is fast becoming one of the most popular forms of gaming in South Africa. With the higher level penetration of mobile phones in the market and the low cost of mobile games, mobile gaming is accessible to millions of South Africans. We’re hoping the WCG and Tammy’s win will help raise the profile of the sport in this country,” he says.

Colin Webster, Mind Sports South Africa president, says considering it was the team’s first challenge against international competition, they did really well.

“Competitive mobile gaming is new in South Africa, whereas it is much bigger in Asia. This makes it even more significant that the team managed to do so well,” he says.

Mind Sports South Africa will be holding its annual general meeting on 11 December 2005 where a new cybergames board will elected, Webster says.

“The new cybergames board is going to focus specifically on growing mobile gaming in 2006. Provincial and national championships will be organised, giving players the opportunity to play competitively.

“There are very few other activities that are as inclusive as mobile gaming and are able to reach every corner of the country. Mobile gaming gives anyone the opportunity to get involved in gaming be rewarded for their efforts in the form of provincial and national colours,” he says.

Exactmobile were the exclusive organisers and host of the local leg of the World Cyber Games Mobile Competition as appointed by Indiagames, the WCG brand license holder. Of the 11 countries entering the mobile competition, Exactmobile is the only organiser which is not a cellular operator. FNB is the principal sponsor.

The World Cyber Games had over 1 million participants in 2004 from over 65 countries. In 2005, 800 gamers from over 70 countries are expected to participate at the WCG Grand Final in Singapore.