Two Games in the Olympic Esports Series Highlight Ties Between Global Esports Federation and Refract Technologies

The inclusion of specific video game titles in the Olympic Esports Series has raised questions regarding potential conflicts of interest and preferential treatment. The investigation centers on the selection of Virtual Taekwondo and Tic Tac Bow, two titles developed by the Singapore-based studio Refract Technologies. These games were featured in the Olympic Esports Series despite the limited public reach of the titles, with one game recording only approximately 5,000 downloads on the Google Play store at the time of the announcement.

Key findings reveal significant overlapping professional ties between Refract Technologies and the Global Esports Federation (GEF). Multiple executives at Refract, including CEO Michael Chng and Executive Director Chong Geng Ng, hold leadership or advisory roles within the GEF and the Singapore Esports Association. Furthermore, the secretary general of the Singapore National Olympic Council, which maintained decision-making authority over the selection of games, also serves as the president of the GEF.

While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has publicly stated that the GEF was not involved in the formal selection process, the evidence suggests that individuals with dual affiliations played a role in presenting these titles to the committee. The situation highlights a lack of transparency regarding the criteria and submission process for game selection. As of March 2023, the exact nature of these relationships and their influence on the final selection remains a subject of ongoing inquiry, with stakeholders seeking clarification on whether the ties between the development studio and governing bodies resulted in the prioritization of specific commercial interests over broader industry standards.