United Kingdom E Sports Association - History

History

31 October 2008 sees the official launch of the United Kingdom eSports Association during the 2008 London Games Festival in London. The launch party was held at the Haymarket branch of the Sports Cafe.

On the 26 November 2008, it has been announced that several of the following organisations, both private and public sector, have been involved in the setup of UKeSA: Metropolitan Police Service, BBC, Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, Procter & Gamble, Future Publishing, Electronic Arts, Codemasters, The New World Assembly, XLEAGUE.TV, Team Dignitas, Reason Gaming, Team Infused, Fnatic, QuadV and Cadred.

The Executive Committee of UKeSA were announced on 12 January 2009. Members consist of personnel from the likes of Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, British Broadcasting Association and Future Publishing.

£35,000 GBP prize fund was announced for the Championship and Premiership Divisions on 13 January 2009. A selection of video game titles were listed as part of the Open Division.

Future Publishing are partnering with UKeSA and aligning itself with the Open Division, announced on the 23 January 2009.

A selection of video game titles were announced for the Championship Division on the 27 January 2009. They were chosen from the amount of sign ups in the Open Division. Top four titles will be picked to represent the Premiership Division.

On 6 February 2009, UK Internet Service Provider, Be Unlimited has become the official broadband provider sponsor of UKeSA for 2009.

UKeSA has announced the selection of eSports teams to represent and play in the Premiership Division on the 13 February 2009. They include established teams such as Team Dignitas, The Imperial, Crack Clan and Team Coolermaster.

Dell becomes the sponsor for UKeSA's Premiership Division on 17 February 2009.

UKeSA opens up nominations and voting for the Community Committee on the 25 February 2009. They also increased the prize fund for the UKeSA Championship and Premiership Division from £35,000 to £40,000.

On the 18 March 2009, UKeSA have appointed Richard 'Dr. Gonzo' Lewis, Michael 'ODEE' O'Dell and Stuart 'TosspoT' Saw as the elected Community Council members.

On the 2 April 2009, HMV and UKeSA have announced that they are pairing up to organise the "GameOn! London" exhibition at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, London, which takes place in June 2009.

The governing body signs up to become a member of the International eSports Federation.

In December 2009, amid controversy, the UKeSA signed for bankruptcy and has since made no attempt to pay back any individual or organisation it owed.