TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, is bringing to the country its first gaming competition with a unique reality show concept, The Greatest Gamer Philippines. Housing 10 selected players in a villa for three weeks, the program will give contestants the opportunity to compete in various real-world & gaming challenges, showcasing what it takes to be a professional gamer.
After its successful pilot in Indonesia in 2021 and mobile gaming’s rapid growth in the Philippines, TikTok along with partners Smart, Smart Omega, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), as well as support from Grab and Samsung, team up to search for ‘The Greatest Gamer’ in the country.
Vanessa Brown, Director, Business Development, Asia-Pacific of TikTok (2nd from left), leads the powerhouse team that is bringing TikTok’s The Greatest Gamer to the Philippines. Joining her during the media launch are (from left) John Michael Turcuato, First Vice President, Head of Sports, PLDT-Smart and Executive Director of MVP Sports Foundation; Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart Communications; and Harry Leonardo, Esports Marketing Manager at MOONTON Games, international gaming developer and publisher of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
In a recent report conducted by Meltwater, 2023 Global Digital Report, over 95% of internet users in the Philippines are avid gamers, confirming that the Filipino community has a strong and vibrant gaming culture. Tapping on this passionate community, The Greatest Gamer Philippines is an important initiative that seeks to further nurture and grow potential professional gamers.
“We are thrilled to bring The Greatest Gamer to the Philippines, where there is a thriving and welcoming gaming community that aspires to grow and excel as skillful gamers. The Greatest Gamer Philippines showcases the journey to becoming a professional gamer as well as engaging the gaming community by providing relevant entertainment, highlighting the skills, passion, and dedication that is necessary to excel in Esports. We also hope to empower the local gaming community, nurture its growth, and provide a space for enthusiasts to continue displaying their skills and creativity,” says Vanessa Brown, Director, Business Development, APAC, TikTok.
Connecting Esports with Entertainment
Numerous activities are lined up during the campaign, providing an immersive and engaging experience as the selected contestants will take part in fun livestreams of mini games, weekly tournament gameplays and other online and offline challenges in the course of learning what it takes to be a professional gamer.
TikTok is a space that allows gaming and culture to collide, unlocking new ways to play and be entertained. The platform provides a window into the gaming lifestyle by revealing contestants’ interactions with Creators, weekly interviews, content on their backstories, and various program highlights, enabling TikTok users and Esports fans to see firsthand what these rising talents will go through to achieve their dreams.
Powered by Smart, the official telco provider of The Greatest Gamer Philippines, TikTok is leveraging the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network as recognized by Ookla, to ensure seamless gameplay and uninterrupted connection for all contestants, gaming enthusiasts and its community. With TikTok and Smart working hand in hand, Esports fans can look forward to a new era of interactive gaming experiences and memorable moments through The Greatest Gamer Philippines.
“Smart has been a leading patron of Philippine Esports because we’ve always believed that Filipinos have the passion, talent, and skill to dominate in this field. As the official telco provider of TikTok’s The Greatest Gamer Philippines, we aim to elevate the players’ gameplay experience with our fastest and best mobile network. We believe that this would also translate to an enjoyable viewing experience for all Esports fans,” says Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart.
Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers can join in on the action as well as tune into the journey of The Greatest Gamer Philippines aspirants on TikTok by registering to Power All and Saya All offers, which come with daily access to TikTok.
Joining The Greatest Gamer Philippines
Aspiring professional Esports gamers can submit their audition videos from May 24 to June 14, 2023, on TikTok.
Pinoy gamers interested in going professional and joining The Greatest Gamer Philippines must follow @thegreatestgamer and @smartcommunications on TikTok and create audition video content by introducing themselves and showcasing their MLBB skills, using the official audition filter and hashtag #TheGreatestGamerPH, and tagging the official @thegreatestgamer and @smartcommunications TikTok accounts.
Aside from gaining awesome experiences with today’s top content creators, The Greatest Gamer winner will take home a cash prize worth P250,000 and a contract with Smart Omega that gives them a chance to suit up and be part of their MLBB roster.
“Filipinos have always been enthusiastic about gaming, whether online or offline, and we are excited to witness their talents and passions in The Greatest Gamer Philippines auditions. TikTok’s gaming community rallies behind one another to cheer on key wins, support after disappointing losses, and shares tips to help each level up in their favorite games. It would be very interesting, entertaining and educational to see how Pinoy gamers strategise to be the next professional gamer,” says Brown.
Fans can look forward to watching The Greatest Gamer Philippines and rooting for their favorite player soon. For more information on The Greatest Gamer Philippines, visit https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreatestgamer.
