Wargaming’s Esports partner ESL looks poised to open a Melbourne-based Wargaming.net League (WGL) studio, according to Alexey Kuznetsov, the publisher’s Head of Offline Competitive Gaming.
Speaking with Kuznetsov in Warsaw, Poland during the World of Tanks’ WGL Grand Finals 2016, we couldn’t help but notice all three top teams were based in Russia. We asked if Wargaming was looking to increase skill sets in other regions and were met with a big surprise.
“We’re always looking to improve in Asia and North America, even Europe. Everywhere,” he began.
“Regarding Australia, we will have a Wargaming League studio in Australia,” Kuznetsov continued. “In Melbourne. So you’ll have the ability to play with professional players; to speak with them.”
Australia does seem the logical choice for the next studio, as there are already hubs across Europe and Asia.
“It’ll mean you won’t be far from good games; you won’t’ have to fly 20 hours [like Australian media did to Warsaw, Poland] to see good games,” Kuznetsov said of the new location.
Update: A Wargaming representative has confirmed with Stevivor that ESL, the publisher’s Esports partner, will be launching an office based in Melbourne rather than Wargaming itself. We’ve amended the article to reflect this.
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