WCG legacy goes up for grabs as owner shops the brand

One of esports' founding brands is officially on the auction block. Bigpicture Interactive announced the strategic sale of the World Cyber Games intellectual property. The South Korean company seeks a new owner to scale the brand's long-term value following a portfolio restructuring. Potential buyers include global game publishers, esports organizations, cities, and media platforms. Proceeds will fund the company's core gamer lifestyle platform and new IP development.

Originally founded by tech veteran Yoosung Oh, WCG earned its reputation as the Olympics of Esports. The pioneering event featured a national team format, drawing competitors from over one hundred countries. It found historic backing from Samsung Electronics before a multi-year hiatus. The brand was later revived under Smilegate Holdings before Bigpicture Interactive's acquisition.

Bigpicture repositioned WCG as a creator-focused global gaming festival rather than a pure tournament. Recent events in Busan and Jakarta combined competitive play with influencer content and live experiences. CEO Kwangjun Song stated the brand evolved into a unique cultural platform connecting gamers and creators worldwide. The sale process aims to find a partner capable of developing this legacy IP.