WBSC and Konami Digital Entertainment Sign New Esports Partnership

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. are pleased to announce that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a new baseball game along with an international esports competition.

WBSC and KONAMI are planning to release new title "WBSC eBASEBALL PAWAFURU PUROYAKYU" (tentative), with the ability to switch the display language between Japanese and English. With this title, the global baseball community, including fans and gamers from countries and regions around the world, will be able to participate in the newly proposed WBSC eSports international baseball tournament.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: “Following our partnership and immense success at the inaugural Olympic Virtual Series last year, the WBSC is proud to work with a video-game publishing giant like KONAMI on this exciting new project, which has unlimited potential to further grow our sport and connect with audiences that we’ve not yet reached before. The WBSC, together with KONAMI, aims to harness esport to expand the baseball population worldwide while adding another powerful tool for National Federations to attract and make our sport relevant to new audiences and players/gamers in their respective countries and territories.”

Hideki Hayakawa, President and CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., added: "We are delighted to be working with the WBSC on this new global esports initiative. We have been taking on challenges to develop eSport by hosting events such as the ‘eBASEBALL Pro League’ and adopting the title for the Asian Games demonstration event. We wish to continue to support the development of the baseball and softball communities around the world through our games by utilizing our experiences in games and eSport."

The WBSC and Konami Digital Entertainment previously partnered to deliver the baseball event at the Olympic Virtual Series (OVS), which was held for the first time last year. KONAMI's "eBASEBALL PAWAFURU PUROYAKYU 2020" was the official platform for the OVS baseball competition. This time, the partnership stems from the mutual goals of providing new ways to enjoy baseball through esports and expanding the baseball and softball fan base.

The WBSC and Konami Digital Entertainment will continue to deliver the fun of baseball through esports and games.

language :日本語/English