Riot
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Documents about Riot
Durex Signs Partnership Deals With League of Legends Pro League, MSI, and Worlds
Durex has entered into a series of partnership agreements with Riot Games, marking the brand’s first official foray into the League of Legends esports ecosystem.
- Durex has signed partnership deals with Riot Games for the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds).
- The partnership marks the first time Durex has sponsored League of Legends esports properties, with financial terms of the agreement remaining undisclosed.
- The brand will make its debut as a sponsor at the 2023 Mid-Season Invitational, which is scheduled to take place in London from May 2–21, 2023.
Former Epic, Riot Exec Mike Seavers Joins Yuga Labs
Yuga Labs, a prominent Web3 and NFT company, has appointed Mike Seavers as its new chief technology officer, effective May 22, 2023.
- Mike Seavers, former EVP of Development at Epic Games and former CTO at Riot Games, has been appointed as the new Chief Technology Officer of Yuga Labs, effective May 22, 2023.
- Seavers replaces outgoing CTO Kerem Atalay, who will transition into a role as a strategic advisor for the company.
- Yuga Labs is a prominent web3 and NFT company known for properties including Bored Ape Yacht Club, Otherside, CryptoPunks, 10KTF, and Meebits.
Logitech G Named Official Peripherals and Headset Supplier for Valorant Champions Tour EMEA
Riot Games has officially designated Logitech G as the exclusive peripherals and headset supplier for the 2023 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA.
- Logitech G has been named the official peripherals and headset supplier for the 2023 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA.
- Under the partnership, Logitech G will provide equipment for coaching, training, and co-streaming rooms at the Messe Berlin Charlottenburg venue.
- The agreement includes support for the VCT Game Changers EMEA circuit throughout the 2023 season.
Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Receives Game Approval in China
The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) of China officially granted game approval to Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) in April 2023.
- China’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) granted official game approval to Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) in April 2023, seven years after the game's initial 2016 release.
- The approval was part of a batch of 86 mobile game titles authorized by the NPPA, all of which appear to be domestic releases.
- MLBB is owned by ByteDance and will be published in China by East China Normal University Electronic Audiovisual Press Co., Ltd., the same entity that published Riot Games’ Valorant in December 2022.
Building the Future of Sport at Riot Games: Economics
Riot Games is shifting its esports business strategy away from traditional sports models toward a sustainable, long-term economic framework.
- Riot Games is shifting its esports business model away from traditional sports structures to prioritize long-term financial sustainability for the developer and its partner teams.
- To address the financial instability of pro teams, Riot has implemented revenue-sharing guarantees, accelerated payments, and deferred cash obligations for its League of Legends franchised leagues.
- The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) operates without franchise fees, instead requiring teams to invest in marketing, content production, and fan activation in exchange for annual stipends and digital sales revenue.
Battle of Golden Spatula: Market Analysis of the Auto-Chess Spin-off in China
Battle of Golden Spatula, a mobile auto-chess spin-off of Teamfight Tactics, has achieved significant commercial success in the Chinese market.
- Battle of Golden Spatula, a Teamfight Tactics spin-off co-developed by Tencent and Riot Games, has become a top-performing title in China, ranking in the top 10 for both downloads and revenue.
- The game was released in China on August 26, 2021, and is primarily developed by Tencent’s NEXT Studios.
- Industry analysts suggest the game was developed as a locally produced title to bypass regulatory hurdles associated with importing Teamfight Tactics into the Chinese market.
Riot Taps Piece of Magic Entertainment to Bring LEC to Theaters
Riot Games has entered into a partnership with the cinema chain Piece of Magic Entertainment to broadcast League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) events in theaters.
- Riot Games has partnered with theater chain Piece of Magic Entertainment to broadcast League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) events in cinemas across the EMEA region.
- The partnership covers the Spring, Summer, and Season Finals, with the initial broadcast beginning on April 23, 2023.
- The initiative aims to host esports watch parties in up to 70 territories throughout the EMEA region.
Rumor Killer: Sentinels Not Actively Pursuing an LCS Slot
The esports organization Sentinels is not actively pursuing a franchise slot in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).
- Sentinels has officially denied rumors that it is pursuing a slot in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).
- A high-ranking Sentinels employee confirmed to The Esports Advocate that the organization is not currently in discussions with any parties regarding an LCS entry.
- Speculation regarding a potential move by Sentinels originated from social media reports on April 3 and 4, 2023, suggesting the team was inquiring about pricing for available LCS slots.
Warner Music, Secretlab Return as Partners for EMEA Masters 2023
Riot Games has confirmed the return of Warner Music and Secretlab as supporting partners for the 2023 League of Legends EMEA Masters.
- Riot Games has renewed its partnerships with Warner Music and Secretlab for the 2023 League of Legends EMEA Masters tournament.
- Warner Music returns as the official music supplier for the fifth consecutive year, providing its music catalog for event broadcasts.
- Secretlab continues its role as the official gaming chair partner, supplying its TITAN Evo line for use during major competitions.
Ex-Riot Developers Are Making "Breath of the Wild with Friends"
The newly formed game studio, The Believer Company, has secured $55 million in funding to develop an ambitious open-world title described as a cooperative, multiplayer experience similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Skyrim.
- The Believer Company, founded by former Riot Games executives, has secured $55 million in funding to develop an open-world, cooperative multiplayer game.
- The project aims to support two to 12 players in a private-server environment, blending narrative-driven single-player design with session-based multiplayer mechanics.
- The studio plans a three-to-five-year development cycle and intends to expand the game into a multimedia franchise, including an animated television series.
Riot Games Renews HyperX Partnership for Valorant Champions Tour
Riot Games has secured a multi-year partnership extension with HyperX, reinforcing the peripheral brand’s role as a foundational sponsor for the Valorant Champions Tour.
- Riot Games and HyperX have signed a multi-year partnership extension for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT).
- HyperX, a brand owned by HP, retains its status as the official provider of gaming keyboards, mice, and mouse pads for VCT competitions.
- The agreement covers major global events including VCT Masters Tokyo, VCT Champions, and the Valorant Game Changers Championship.
FaZe Clan Signs All-Women Roster for VCT Game Changers
In March 2023, FaZe Clan officially entered the competitive Valorant landscape by signing its first all-female professional roster.
- FaZe Clan signed its first all-female professional esports roster to compete in the 2023 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Game Changers Series.
- The roster consists of players Jennifer “refinnej” Le, Emma “emy” Choe, Vannesa Emely “panini” Emory, Madison “maddiesuun” Mann, and Diane “di^” Tran.
- The team previously competed together under the name Hamboigas during the 2022 Champions Tour Game Changers Series III: North America.
