e-Sports action gets underway, as new era in gaming begins

The first ever e-Sport competition at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games starts on Monday, with action in Dota 2, StarCraft II, Hearthstone and King of Fighters XIV.
E-Sports is making its debut as a demonstration sport at the Games. The competition runs over three days, through to 27 September, the final day of Ashgabat 2017.  

A draw ahead of the competition decided groups and seeds. Dota 2 teams will play in one group of ‘round robin’ play. China, has two teams in Dota 2, while Turkmenistan, Jordan and Phillipines make up the group. One team is knocked out from the group stage. Qualifiers play a single elimination bracket to find the winner.

StarCraft II players were seeded into two groups. The best three players from each group proceed to the playoffs.

Hearthstone players are divided into four groups, with three participants in each. The two best players from each group advance to the playoffs.

And, finally, The King of Fighters XIV players are in two groups. The three winners of each group go through to the playoffs.

Competitive computer and video gaming tests strategizing, decision-making, and hand-eye coordination skills.

10 nations and regions will compete in Ashgabat 2017 e-Sports competition, with Jordan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, China, Laos, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Philippines, and host-nation Turkmenistan all fielding competitors.