ESL FACEIT Group Teams With Rolling Stone for Rolling Stone Gaming

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Rolling Stone has launched a new gaming vertical, 'Rolling Stone Gaming,' which will be led by Christopher Cruz, the publication's current executive producer for branded content.
02
The new vertical is funded by the Saudi Arabian government through a partnership with the ESL FACEIT Group.
03
ESL FACEIT Group is a subsidiary of Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the Saudi Arabian government's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
04
The partnership will see ESL FACEIT Group utilize the platform to promote its esports properties and tournament brands, including potential coverage of major Saudi-hosted events like the Esports World Cup.
05
Financial terms of the deal between Rolling Stone and the ESL FACEIT Group were not disclosed.
06
The collaboration marks a shift in Rolling Stone's editorial positioning, given the publication's previous critical reporting on the Saudi Arabian government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Summary

Rolling Stone has launched a new gaming vertical, Rolling Stone Gaming, under the ownership of Penske Media Corporation. The initiative is supported by funding from the Saudi Arabian government through a partnership with the ESL FACEIT Group. While the specific financial terms and the exact nature of the collaboration remain undisclosed, the platform is expected to focus on promoting esports, including major Saudi-backed events such as the Esports World Cup.

The new vertical is led by Christopher Cruz, who serves as the senior gaming editor and executive producer for branded content at the publication. The editorial strategy aims to explore the intersection of gaming and pop culture, covering industry trends, game reviews, and behind-the-scenes content with developers. The publication intends to adopt a journalistic approach to the gaming community, highlighting stories that resonate with both casual players and dedicated enthusiasts.

This partnership represents a significant development in the media landscape, particularly given the involvement of the Saudi Arabian government. The ESL FACEIT Group is a subsidiary of the Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. This collaboration is notable for its contrast with the publication’s previous editorial coverage regarding the Saudi leadership, specifically concerning the 2021 reporting on the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The launch signifies a strategic effort to integrate gaming deeper into the broader entertainment and media ecosystem.