Esportz Premier Series 2023, promoted as a major event in Indian esports, has come under scrutiny due to prize money non-payment. Almost ten months after the tournament concluded, none of the teams — the winner Carnival Gaming and the finalist Marcos Gaming — have received the promised prizes. This situation highlights longstanding issues with tournament organization in India and raises questions about the organizers' reputation.
Tournament History and Participants
The Esportz Premier Series concluded in January 2024 in Mumbai, becoming one of the first LAN tournaments for Counter-Strike 2 in India. Carnival Gaming triumphed in the grand final, entitled to a prize of ₹2,50,000 INR (approximately $3,000), while Marcos Gaming was supposed to receive ₹1,25,000 INR (about $1,500). However, nearly ten months after the tournament ended, it turned out that neither team had received their cash prizes. This situation causes dissatisfaction in the esports community and brings into question the reputation of Indian organizers.
Reaction of Players and Organizers
Carnival Gaming captain SpawN shared his emotions: "It's very frustrating when such things happen." Players from both teams reported that they had been trying to contact the organizer Esportz.in for eight months, but to no avail. The organizers remain unresponsive, and attempts by Dust2 India to obtain comments have gone unanswered. Such uncertainty creates a negative impression of tournaments in India and deters potential participants from future events.
Impact on the Industry
Issues with prize money payouts undermine trust in Indian tournaments and slow the growth of the esports scene. In an era of rising esports popularity, such incidents can significantly affect the careers of young teams and the overall interest in tournaments in the region.
Source: Dust2 India
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