Maïlys Mas
Jan 8, 2025
A month ago, the KeSPA competition was held in Seoul, where OK Savings Bank BRION team claimed victory. This tournament marked another historic milestone: the successful implementation of the first federation-authorized digital ID system in Korean Esports. What does this mean for the industry?
First, it represents a fundamental shift in how professional Esports manages player identities and tournament operations. Second, it heralds a significant advancement, as PlayID, the Esports digital wallet, demonstrated its capability to support complete identity verification without physical documents or manual checks, while seamlessly integrating with KeSPA's systems.
KeSPA Cup 2024: Where digital innovation meets Esports
The 2024 LoL KeSPA Cup served as the perfect testing ground for PlayID's capabilities. This prestigious tournament brought together Korea's top esports talent alongside international competitors, setting the stage for a digital transformation in tournament operations.
PlayID x KeSPA: Key insights
Tournament Scale:
10 professional LCK teams
2 international all-star teams (Chinese Taipei and Vietnam)
73 professional players
10 certified referees
100% digital identity verification success rate
PlayID by Hopae - KeSPA dashboard
PlayID: Faster checks-in, no human errors
The implementation of PlayID has fundamentally changed the traditional tournament check-in process. The system delivered three significant improvements to tournament operations:
Accelerated check-in process: Teams now complete their verification in less than 60 seconds, streamlining tournament operations and ensuring efficient match scheduling.
Elimination of human error: By digitizing the verification process, PlayID removes manual checking errors, providing consistent and reliable player authentication.
Enhanced regulatory compliance: The digital ID system ensures precise adherence to tournament regulations through automated verification protocols, maintaining high standards of competitive integrity.
Morgan, professional player at OK Savings Bank BRION, experienced this transformation firsthand:
"The procedure of verifying identity in person before every match has become much more convenient thanks to a single app on my smartphone."
He further expressed his expectations, saying: "With PlayID automatically storing all my match records and having them officially certified by KeSPA, will be a great help in managing my career as a player moving forward."
Official athletes database: PlayID's integration with KSOC
Behind the scenes, PlayID achieved something unprecedented: successful integration with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) database. This bridge between Esports and traditional sports infrastructure eliminated redundant data entry for athletes. Now, PlayID operates with official athlete information, bringing new legitimacy to esports identity management.
The system seamlessly handles:
Player registration and verification
Referee management
Real-time attendance tracking
Automatic penalty enforcement
Match record documentation
Digital identity: The new standard in Esports
The successful implementation at KeSPA Cup 2024 opens new possibilities for professional gaming. Looking ahead, PlayID stands ready to support various competition formats and tournament structures globally. The system's proven success with both domestic and international teams demonstrates its potential for broader adoption.
The future holds exciting developments:
Enhanced achievement tracking
Expanded federation partnerships
International tournament support
Advanced career management tools
The implementation of the first federation-authorized digital ID system in Korean Esports represents more than technological advancement—it's a step toward the professionalization of Esports. Through seamless integration with existing infrastructure and a focus on user experience, PlayID is establishing new standards for professional Esports operations.
