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Korea and japan boost prize pools for stage 2 events

Korea, Japan Receive Bigger Prize Pools | Pacific Region Remains Low

By

Isabella Rossi

May 3, 2025, 01:13 PM

Edited By

Marcus Chen

Snappy read

Korea and Japan flag icons with a trophy symbolizing increased prize pools for gaming competitions
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A controversial decision has emerged with the increased prize pools for esports teams in Korea and Japan, leaving the Pacific region without any significant updates. Community discussions reveal dissatisfaction with the disparity in support across regions, raising questions about viewer engagement and promotional efforts.

What This Means for Asia

The adjustment in prize pools directly impacts team funding and competitiveness. The Pacific region appears to be losing out due to lower viewership numbers. Commenters noted that the region lacks proper promotion, which prevents healthy growth.

Mixed Sentiments from the Community

The audience reaction presents various perspectives:

  • "OW is a Korean dominant game" highlights the regional strength.

  • Concerns over Pacific's future include a lack of sponsors, with one commenter asking, "Is there a viewer who could confirm?"

  • Frustration is evident with statements like, "It sucks that pacific is getting shafted" indicating a sentiment that their needs arenโ€™t being met.

"Even if this was per-playerโ€ฆ still a bit anemic," one user remarked, emphasizing the low payouts.

Funding Disparities Highlighted

The Asian prize pool of 35K is split between Japan and Korea, while the Pacific is left in the dust. This funding discrepancy raises the stakes for local teams:

  • Australia lacks an English stream, making access hard.

  • With minimal financial incentive, teams struggle to sustain basic costs.

  • "That 15k is split for a team is laughable," another user critiqued, expressing frustration at the low amounts.

Key Insights

  • โ–ณ Increased funding for Korea and Japan boosts competitiveness.

  • โ–ฝ Pacific regions cite minimal support and visibility issues.

  • โ€ป "The tables are directly from the official rulebook" - Commenter explains disappointing context.

As the esports community watches these developments, the spotlight remains on how prize pool distribution will shape the future of competitive gaming in these key regions.