The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced a three-year partnership with game developer Smilegate for its FPS title Crossfire.
As a result of the collaboration, Crossfire will be included in the 2025 Esports World Cup, a multi-title annual esports event set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Crossfire will be the second title to debut at the Esports World Cup. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Chess will also be featured at the event.
Launched in 2007, Crossfire has developed a significant fanbase in China. Since 2019, the game has had a franchised esports league in China called the CFPL. Moreover, the game’s popularity in the country led to the creation of a drama show called Cross Fire in 2020. According to South China Morning Post, the show generated 980m views in less than four weeks after its release.
Crossfire recently concluded its world championship earlier this month in Hangzhou. Chinese organisation Evolution Power walked out victorious and claimed the lion’s share of its $1.4m (~£1.1m) prize pool.
Details surrounding the Esports World Cup 2025 Crossfire event, such as prize pool and format, have yet to be announced.
Ina Jang, CEO at Smilegate Entertainment, commented on the news: “The inclusion of Crossfire in the Esports World Cup 2025 marks a significant milestone for both the game and its global esports ecosystem.
“As one of the most popular FPS titles worldwide, Crossfire has fostered a dedicated community of players and fans over the past decade. Joining the EWC provides an exciting platform to showcase the skill, passion and competitive spirit of Crossfire esports to a broader audience, further solidifying its place on the global stage.”
Since its launch, the Esports World Cup has been criticised by sections of the esports community due to its ties to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Alongside the Saudi Arabian government’s wider investment in the esports space, discussions surrounding the country’s human rights record remain prevalent.