SCI FI Channel is going into production on WCG GameQuest (working title), an 8-episode, elimination-style reality competition that pits 12 contestants against each other in a series of video-game challenges in a bid to become the ‘Best All-Around Gamer’ in the U.S. Shot on location in Los Angeles, the show is slated to premiere on SCI FI in the first quarter of 2009. Samsung Electronics, the official worldwide partner for the World Cyber Games (WCG), is also the official series production partner.
In addition to tackling top game titles from various studios, contestants will also have to master physical challenges that bring video games to life, as well as elimination challenges in an arena before hundreds of spectators. The winner will receive a prize package that includes $100,000 and trips to future World Cyber Games (WCG) events across the globe.
‘With two out of every three American households playing videogames, it’s clear that this mainstream phenomenon is a perfect arena for the channel’s agenda of broadening the brand while celebrating imagination,’ says Dave Howe, SCI FI Channel president. ‘The colorful and eclectic group of men and women competitors will simultaneously fit and completely shake up the ultimate gamer stereotype. We are thrilled to be partnering with WCG and Samsung for this fun and engaging show.’
‘Since 2000, the WCG has been at the forefront of e-sports and as we’ve grown to 78 countries represented and 1.5 million participants, we’ve seen that passion for gaming knows no geographic or demographic boundaries,’ adds WCG president H.S. Kim.
WCG GameQuest is created by Michael Agbabian and Dwight D. Smith (Phenomenon, Gameshow Marathon, Last Comic Standing) who will serve as exec producers. Ivan Garel-Jones, senior VP of business affairs for Granada America, brokered the deal with the WCG and Samsung Electronics. The WCG and Samsung brokered the deal with SCI FI.
