The Accor Arena in Bercy saw the end in apotheosis, Sunday, May 21, four intense days of esport. Since Thursday, the Parisian hall has hosted the Major, the most prestigious competition in the “Counter-Strike” video game. And it was a French team, Vitality, who won the final title on the famous shooting game. A historic victory for French esports which was played in a sold-out room.
With our special correspondent in Bercy, Edgar Groleau
This victory, we could compare it to a Frenchman who wins Roland Garros, or to a coronation in the Football Champions League. It was a real moment in the history of video games that took place on May 21 at Bercy, where the last four days have taken French esports to another dimension.
We counted 15,000 people gathered on Sunday in the Parisian room, with an atmosphere worthy of a football stadium and a French team on the roof of the world. A player too: Mathieu Herbaut, alias Zywoo. He is from Lensois and he is the best professional player in “Counter-Strike”, a first-person shooter (FPS for “First Person Shooter” in the jargon) among the most famous in the world.
Obviously, all the players who have faced each other at Bercy are full-time professionals. High-level esports is a real ecosystem comparable to that of traditional sports. There was over a million dollars to be split between the teams for this tournament. And more than a million viewers were connected live on the internet to follow the title match won by the French team against the Germans of GamerLegion (16-6, 16-13).
The enthusiasm extends to politics: the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, was present at Bercy for this final. For the recognition of esports in France, this Major in Paris and this victory for Vitality are a real turning point.