The inclusion of
esports in the Southeast Asian Games was lobbied by
Min-Liang Tan, CEO of Singapore-based gaming firm
Razer. Tan announced in November 2018 that he met with Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee chair
Alan Peter Cayetano to discuss about the possible inclusion of esports in the regional games, which were among the "Category 3" disciplines included in final list of proposed events to be hosted in the games. An ad hoc committee was formed to organize the esports events in the games. Razer provided support in terms of software, hardware, and services in the organization of the esports events. Razer was designated as the Official Esports Partner. However Razer didn't provide the mobile phones for the
Arena of Valor tournament since the latest update of the title required the game to be played on
iOS. By 14 December 2018, the national federation of esports has formally sought formal inclusion in the games from the
International esports Federation. The esports tournaments of the Southeast Asian Games were open to competitors of both genders with every aspiring participant to partake in a qualification tournaments. Although competitors should be at least 12 years old. Market research firm Newzoo projects the number of audience for esports in Southeast Asia to grow to at least 31.9 million in 2019 attributing the increase to the inclusion of the discipline in the Southeast Asian Games.
Game selection Six medals were contested in esports. The selected games were to conform to the values of the
International Olympic Committee and "should not promote the culture of violence and gambling". Also other factors, such as the popularity and competitiveness of the games, the strategy and teamwork required in playing the concerned games, as well as the physical and mental intensity required in contesting the games in marathon matches, were also considered in the selection process. There were also previous plans for the esports tournament to feature separate competitions for men and women where men would be competing in
Dota 2,
Hearthstone,
NBA 2K, and
Tekken 7, while women would be contesting
Dota 2 and
Hearthstone. The plan was later abandoned. ==Venue==