The Malta Esports Association is proud to finally announce the long-awaited Esports Awards, supported by the GamingMalta Foundation!
One of the key missions of the Malta Esports Association is to highlight the local scene, and performance of those who show dedication, skill and excellence in the pursuit of competitive videogames.
The Malta Esports Association believes that an annual awards ceremony to celebrate the local heroes is the best way to bring their achievements to prominence.
For too long, the Maltese esports community has not really had the platform to really show what its members have been able to achieve. Many highly talented esports competitors remain unknown to most. Moreover, Maltese esports hopefuls do not have much to aspire to.
The Malta Esports Awards aim to change this status quo, and have one night per year, where the focus is on the competitive achievements of local players.
Awards Timeline:
- Phase 1 – Nomination Phase lasts until 31 December 2024
- Phase 2 – Announcement of Nominees & Preparation Phase
- Phase 3 – Awards Night held in February 2025
For our first year of the awards, we are aiming to have 11 award categories:
- Esports Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- This award celebrates the most impactful Maltese esports player throughout 2024. We are looking for the player whose talent and dedication has led him to push boundaries internationally in their esports of choice.
- Esports Team of the Year – Nominate Here
- Teamplay is a key characteristic in most esports titles, and one that is extremely difficult to get right. The odds are also stacked against a country like Malta, where talent might not be easy to come by. We are looking for Maltese teams that manage to make it in international competition true pure grit and dedication. This award is restricted to teams whereby at least 50% of players are eligible.
- Rookie Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- This award is for individuals who despite their young age, already shine brightly, and promise to be Malta’s next star. We are looking for players who are under twenty-one years of age.
- Female Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- A beautiful thing about esports is that there is an equal playing field amongst sexes. Nonetheless, esports suffers from lack of female participation, and this award is an attempt at giving female esports competitors something to aim for.
- Shooter Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- This award celebrates the domestic and international achievements of the best competitor in the category of shooting games – whether it’s tactical FPS, hero shooter, battle royale, or arena shooter – we’re looking for the player with the fastest reaction time, quickest decision-making
- Sim-Racing Driver of the Year – Nominate Here
- For the fastest and most precise virtual petrol-head in Malta.
- Sports Simulation Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- Whether it’s virtual football, virtual basketball, or even a crazy offshoot like car ball, anything that attempts to mimic traditional sports, and which is not covered by other awards, falls into this category. Who will follow on the footsteps of the greats like Kurt0411 and Chrismeister?
- MOBA Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Mobile Legends and more, are arguably the most popular esports titles of all.The best MOBA player in Malta is a true titan in the local community.
- Fighting Game Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- Tekken, Street Fighter, Brawlhalla, Super Smash Bros, and anything else in between. The most proficient fighting game player of the year will receive this award.
- RPG Player of the Year – Nominate Here
- Although not always considered a traditional esports category, the Maltese community has a long-standing tradition in role-playing games, whether they’re MMORPGs or turn-based battlers.
- Outstanding Contribution to Maltese Esports – Nominate Here
- Maintaining and contributing towards the local esports community has been a toil of passion of a handful of key individuals within the community. It’s often a thankless job, with people behind the scenes sacrificing hours of their personal time, and often personal resources, for the betterment of their communities. We want to recognise these unsung heroes for what they did, and what they’re still doing. This award is meant for community figures who volunteer their time for our sake, and who have proven time and time again that they are the MVPs of Malta’s esports ecosystem.
Nomination Criteria
- The following individuals are eligible for nomination:
- Maltese citizens
- Permanent residents who have been living in Malta for at least 5 years, and who are currently a full-time resident in Malta
Adjudication Criteria
The winner for each category shall be chosen from amongst the nominated individuals.
A panel of 9 judges, carefully selected for their knowledge of the esports scene and their neutrality will create a shortlist of up to a maximum of six nominees per category. More nominations does not mean a higher chance to be shortlisted – this is not a popularity contest!
The panel of judges will then vote on the shortlisted nominees (5 points for 1st choice, 3 points for 2nd choice, 1 point for 3rd choice), and the nominee with the highest points will win the award! The judges will be looking at the nominations made by the public, and therefore the quality of the nomination needs to be great!
The criteria for adjudication are broken down into three primary categories: local competition results, international participation, and positioning oneself in the esports sector outside the game. These criteria ensure that nominees are not only evaluated based on their competitive success but also their broader contribution to the esports ecosystem.
1. Results in Local Competitions
Nominees must showcase a high level of performance in Maltese esports events. Nominees must be able to prove that they are undoubtedly the best in their craft in Malta. Nonetheless, players who have reached the top of their craft internationally, are not required to show domestic results.
Consistency in Performance: Nominees should demonstrate continued participation through the year, and sustained high-level results in national competitions.
Competitiveness: The level of competition faced and overcome is considered, with emphasis on performance against other top-tier Maltese competitors.
2. Participation in International Competitions
To encourage the global expansion of Maltese esports, international participation plays a critical role in the nomination process.
Participation in international esports competitions are highly prioritized, reflecting the nature of esports as a truly global sport. Whilst results in online competitions are considered, travelling to events abroad shows the deepest commitment.
Notable Achievements Abroad: Exceptional performances, such as winning or placing highly in international competitions, are highly valued. Nominees who have demonstrated they can compete on a global stage and hold their own against international opposition stand out.
3. General Actions Outside the Game
Esports success isn’t just about in-game performance. Nominees are also judged based on their contributions to the growth, integrity, and overall health of the Maltese esports community outside of direct competition.
Community Involvement: Nominees who actively engage with and support the local esports community by organizing events, providing mentorship, or contributing to the local ecosystem are considered strong candidates.
Content Creation and Advocacy: Nominees who contribute to the Maltese esports scene through content creation, streaming, or acting as ambassadors of the scene (both locally and abroad) will be favorably recognized.
Professionalism and Sportsmanship: Nominees are expected to display positive attitudes, respect, and fairness in their interactions with others in the esports community. Consistent professionalism during competitions, on social media, and in public appearances is a critical factor.
Innovative Contributions: Those who help innovate within Maltese esports through the development of new initiatives, starting esports programs, or supporting grassroots movements are also recognized. This includes players, organizers, or influencers who push the scene forward in creative and meaningful ways.
Ambassadorship: Special consideration is given to individuals or teams that contribute to raising Malta’s profile on the global esports stage. This can include media presence, content creation, or being role models while competing internationally.
The Malta Esports Awards are brought to you by the GamingMalta Foundation, JACAP Limited, Kia and Crew.mt.