Human Mobile Devices (HMD), a leading smartphone innovator, concluded its successful two-day esports tournament, “The Ultimate Gamer,” at The Waterfront Karen.
The event showcased Kenya’s burgeoning esports scene, drawing gaming enthusiasts, professional players, and spectators.
The tournament highlighted the performance capabilities of HMD’s latest smartphone, the HMD Fusion, through competitions in popular mobile games including FIFA, Tekken, and Call of Duty. Over 70 players from Nairobi competed for a top prize of KES 75,000.
Qualifiers occurred on Saturday, culminating in a thrilling grand final on Sunday. Spectators watched live gameplay on large screens, enjoyed commentary from prominent gaming influencers, and had the opportunity to test HMD devices. Participants also received esports merchandise.
Maureen Kambona, HMD’s regional marketing manager for West, East, and Central Africa, emphasized the brand’s commitment to the Kenyan gaming community.
“At HMD, we see gaming as a platform that connects people inspires creativity, and drives innovation. Partnering with The Ultimate Gamer Tournament, hosted by Radio Africa, celebrates Kenya’s talented gamers and demonstrates how mobile technology can enhance their experiences,” she stated.
The HMD Fusion transforms into a portable gaming console with a dedicated gaming outfit featuring built-in buttons, joysticks, and a maximized screen.
It includes two months of free access to Blacknut Cloud Gaming, which offers 500 playable games. For a limited time, the HMD Fusion, bundled with the gaming outfit, retails for KES 34,499.
With over 200 spectators attending, the event underscored the growth of Kenya’s esports community. Over 11 million Kenyans identify as gamers, driven by increasing smartphone access.
The 2023/24 Africa Gamers Industry Report indicates that of the 186 million gamers in Sub-Saharan Africa, 177 million use mobile devices, emphasizing smartphones’ critical role in this ecosystem.
