To say Comic Con Africa 2024 brought a new kind of gaming experience to the table would be quite an understatement. The gaming hall this year was buzzing with tournaments, technology, innovation and excitement – and you wouldn’t have to look far to find out the source of all the buzz. Telkom returned to Comic Con Africa with its VS Gaming Next Gen Village as the centrepiece. Rocket League, Counter-Strike, EA Sports FC24, activities, tournaments and more awaited visitors at Telkom’s massive area of the Hall 5 – and it was eye-opening.
When you attend Comic Con Africa each year, you expect a healthy variety of entertainment mediums all colliding in this exquisite annual pop culture event. Personally, I tend to gravitate towards the gaming sections. I can’t say I’m very good at Counter-Strike or Rocket League but watching them being played by some of South Africa’s best players and teams is always exhilarating – and fills me with pride for the talented esports athletes our country hosts.
The Home of Gaming
Telkom VS Gaming took up quite a large chunk of Hall 5. A banner branded “The Home of Gaming” greeted visitors as they entered the hall. A few things immediately stand out – the colossal tournaments stage, the casual zones and the wide variety of activities Telkom VS Gaming had on offer for attendees to try out, even if they weren’t competing in the nail-biting esports tournaments.
It’s clear that Telkom, above all other brands at Comic Con Africa each year, puts the most effort into creating a professional, inviting and spectacular gaming space for everyone vaguely interested in gaming or have a burning passion for it. Travelling with friends this year, I was surprised to discover how much time they had actually spent at the Telkom VS Gaming Next Gen Village. It wasn’t just the tournament stage but everything around it that caught everyone’s attention.
Telkom introduced the Next Gen Squad, a trio of colourful characters (or mascots) called Mobile Mo, Vibey Val and S Tech. Appealing to younger crowds while also being thoughtful and educational for older audiences, they were a great fit for Telkom’s unique presentation this year and I’m glad companies like Telkom still put a lot of thought into creating a gaming and tech space that’s warm and welcoming.
All on Tech
What about the tech that Telkom VS Gaming brought to Comic Con Africa? Through partnerships with companies like Samsung, LG and Evetech, Telkom was able to secure top-of-the-range equipment for its esports players and some cutting-edge curved television screens as well as PlayStation 5 consoles in its Free-to-Play Area.
With all the lights, glitz and glamour of Telkom’s professional presentation, the company made sure to not short-change the tech that powers gaming too. The curved Samsung screens, in particular, were dazzling. They really caught my eye and made me reconsider getting a curved behemoth for my own gaming setup at home.
Balance and Blend
Taking notes on Telkom VS Gaming’s offerings all weekend, I kept returning to two thoughts: how well Telkom was able to balance hosting a space for esports enthusiasts and professional players, and how effortlessly the company blended them into an eye-catching gaming zone that felt distinct, creative and thoughtfully laid out on the show floor.
I spent time in the Free-to-Play Area getting play time on EA Sports FC24 (before realising how out-of-practice I was with football games, especially against other people who clearly had a better time beating my West Ham United team 7-0 with Manchester City). That aside, I had a good time seeing other players step up with their own exciting matches. The layout was professional and easy to access from the busy show floor, usually accumulating crowds of like-minded gamers who enjoyed seeing others duke it out.
Setting the Stage Alight
The real meat of Telkom VS Gaming is esports and this year, there was a great balance of the new generation and seasoned professionals battling on stage. Several high school teams from across South Africa competed in intense matches of Rocket League and Counter-Strike, while the pros shared the same space to cap off the Championship and Masters Finals.
In the HSEL Rocket League finals, Oos-Moot High School went up against defending champions Waterkloof High School and in a nail-biting turn of events, Oos-Moot High School ended up triumphing over the defending champs in a very well-played game. For the HSEL Counter-Strike final, Parklands College claimed victory over Rondebosch Boys’ High School.
In the Championship final for Rocket League, the pro players took the stage. GeneSix took on Unity Esports and outplayed them with memorable moments that drew the loudest cheers from the crowd all day. The Masters final in Counter-Strike was a much more intense ordeal as The Punishers clashed with Exceed. In a display of well-coordinated team efforts and edge-of-your-seat highlights, The Punishers dominated the finals largely thanks to the skills of one of the team’s key players, FROZ3N.
Curtain Call
Like I said before, the key to hosting a successful gaming zone at Comic Con Africa is to provide a space for all gamers, casual, professional and in-between. I’m happy to report that the Telkom VS Gaming Next Gen Village experience nailed these aspects, delivering a memorable, exciting and world-class presentation that really earned its title of “The Home of Gaming.”
As Johann von Backström, Senior Content and Gaming Manager at Telkom, explained: “Our participation in Comic Con Africa underscores our commitment to the gaming community and innovation. We are thrilled to engage with fans and showcase our cutting-edge offerings. This event is a celebration of gaming culture, and we are proud to be at the forefront.”