Singapore – After three days of fierce competition, Canadian financial analyst Wei Wei has been crowned the Grand Champion of the first World Series of Board Gaming (WSBG) Asia tournament. The event, which concluded on June 2nd in Singapore, holds significant meaning as it was the first WSBG event to be held in the Asian region.
A Dramatic Comeback, The Winning Moment Unfolds in 'The Castles Of Burgundy'
Wei Wei, a Chinese-born Canadian national, secured the final victory by defeating three other competitors in the final round with the board game 'The Castles Of Burgundy'. Throughout the nearly three-hour final, Wei Wei calmly managed the game, steadily accumulating points. 'The Castles Of Burgundy' is a strategic board game where players develop their estates, build castles, or sell goods to earn points, requiring deep strategy and quick decision-making.
Immediately after his win, the 33-year-old Wei Wei expressed his elation, saying, "It feels surreal." He recalled the dramatic victory, stating, "I thought I wouldn't have a chance because I made some wrong decisions in the first few rounds and was falling behind, but the tide turned." The tournament ran from May 31st to June 2nd, with approximately 100 board game players participating in intense competition.
The WSBG is a prestigious global board game tournament with its main event held annually in Las Vegas, USA, and satellite tournaments typically held in other US cities. This Singapore tournament marks the first time a WSBG event has been held in Asia, and it is considered a significant turning point demonstrating the growth potential of the Asian board game community.
Strategic Choices and Luck, The Path to the Finals
In the Singapore tournament, a total of 16 board games were featured, with the winners of each game advancing to the semi-finals on the morning of June 2nd. Wei Wei secured his semi-final spot by winning the 'The White Castle' game on June 1st, and then advanced to the finals by triumphing over other semi-finalists in the 'Wingspan' game.
It is reported that Wei Wei was particularly delighted when 'The Castles Of Burgundy' was randomly selected as the final game. "I was quite happy when 'The Castles Of Burgundy' was announced as the final game," he explained, "because it was one of the games I knew better." The final game was randomly chosen from games that the finalists had not played before the final.
In the final, Wei Wei achieved an overwhelming victory with a score of 139 points, leading the runner-up by 12 points. He was crowned Grand Champion amidst cheers, along with the winner's trophy. As a prize, he will receive travel support worth $1,000 USD (approximately 1.37 million KRW) for airfare to the main WSBG tournament in Las Vegas in September 2025, and he revealed that he has already purchased his main tournament ticket. Furthermore, winners of each board game at the Singapore tournament will receive a bye into Round 2 of their respective games if they participate in the Las Vegas main tournament, held from September 19th to 23rd.
A Successful Tournament Concludes, Confirming the Growth Potential of the Asian Board Game Community
Mind Cafe Mega on Prinsep Street was bustling with hundreds of board game enthusiasts for three days, bringing great joy to the organizers, husband-and-wife team Ivan Chen and Lynn Liu. Lynn Liu stated, "The participation far exceeded our expectations. Many people came to casually enjoy games or experience the atmosphere, and we often ran out of tables."
The couple, inspired by their experience at the WSBG in Las Vegas in September 2024, hosted this tournament in Singapore with the goal of growing the board game community in Asia. Lynn Liu added, "I think we achieved our goal. Many strangers competed against each other or taught each other, enjoying games together, and a sense of community definitely formed."
This tournament has once again confirmed the potential and growth of the Asian board game market. Particularly in South Korea, the board game population is steadily increasing, with various board game cafes and communities becoming active, so the success of this WSBG Asia tournament is expected to positively impact the development of the Korean board game industry in the future. In recent years, domestic board game publishers like 'Korea Boardgames' have grown, and large-scale events like 'Board Game Con' have also been successfully held. Within this trend, if international tournaments like WSBG are held more frequently in the Asian region, it is likely to provide more opportunities for Korean board game players.
The Harmony of Competition and Friendship, The Allure of Board Games
Joyce Lin (32), a Taiwanese national who won the 'The Castles Of Burgundy' game on June 1st, said that the tournament was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. A financial professional working in Shanghai, she revealed that her victory was a surprise. "I wasn't the best at this game, so I just played to enjoy it," she said, describing her emotions at the time, "When I sensed victory, I tried to suppress my excitement and not smile too broadly."
She also emphasized the camaraderie and friendly atmosphere among participants, stating, "The competition was very friendly. Everyone reminded each other when someone drew or placed a game piece incorrectly." Joyce Lin stated that she would definitely participate in next year's tournament, demonstrating how board games can be a medium for connecting people beyond mere competition.
The successful hosting of the WSBG Asia tournament shows that board games are establishing themselves as a globally recognized sport and cultural content. The birth of new champions like Wei Wei through this tournament, and the sight of participants forming friendships through board games, once again proves the infinite possibilities of board games. It is expected that the WSBG Asia tournament will further develop in the future and play a pivotal role in vitalizing board game communities across Asia.
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