The Esports Advocate
Esports business news: deals, legal, and governance.
Documents
Fnatic Exits Dota Pro Circuit
In February 2023, the esports organization Fnatic announced its decision to withdraw from the Dota Pro Circuit, effectively ending an eight-year tenure in the Southeast Asian professional Dota 2 scene.
- Fnatic is exiting the Dota 2 professional circuit after more than eight years of competition in the Southeast Asian region.
- The organization cited concerns regarding the long-term sustainability and future of the Dota 2 title as the primary reason for its withdrawal.
- Fnatic will release its current Dota 2 roster following the conclusion of the BTS Pro Series.
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Claims Sony is Trying to Sabotage Merger
In February 2023, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick publicly accused Sony of attempting to sabotage Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of his company.
- Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has accused Sony of attempting to sabotage Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of his company.
- Kotick claims that Sony has ceased all communication with both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard regarding the merger.
- A Sony representative publicly disputed the claim, stating that the company remains in contact with Microsoft regarding private negotiations.
PUBG Mobile Esports 2023 Roadmap
The 2023 PUBG Mobile Esports roadmap outlines the global competitive structure for the year, emphasizing a tiered tournament system and regional expansion.
- Krafton’s 2023 PUBG Mobile esports roadmap centers on two major global tournaments: the PUBG Mobile World Invitational (PMWI) in July in Riyadh and the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) concluding in late December.
- The 2023 PMGC will feature a total of 48 teams, with regional representation including 11 teams from Southeast Asia, seven each from Europe and the Americas, and six each from South Asia and the Middle East & Africa.
- The PUBG Mobile Pro League (PMPL) is expanding via an 'SEA Wild Card' division, which incorporates teams from the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Singapore.
Torrent Releases Rosters, Says Goodbye
Minnesota-based esports organization Torrent officially ceased all operations in February 2023.
- Minnesota-based esports organization Torrent ceased all operations effective February 8, 2023.
- The organization released its competitive rosters and staff as part of the shutdown.
- Torrent previously competed in the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) and Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) throughout 2022.
Riot Games, NODWIN Gaming Sign Two-Year Agreement for Valorant Esports: South Asia
Riot Games and Indian tournament organizer NODWIN Gaming have entered into a two-year partnership to manage the Valorant Challengers League in South Asia.
- Riot Games and NODWIN Gaming have signed a two-year agreement to operate the Valorant Challengers League in South Asia.
- The partnership includes a collaborative effort between Riot and NODWIN to secure sponsorships and media rights for the regional league.
- The Valorant Challengers League in South Asia will run annually from January to July, with the 2023 season beginning in March.
UK’s CMA Preliminary Ruling Opposes Activision Blizzard Acquisition
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a preliminary ruling opposing Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued a preliminary ruling opposing Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- The CMA concluded that the merger could result in higher prices, reduced consumer choice, and less innovation within the UK gaming market.
- Regulators expressed concern that Microsoft would gain a competitive advantage by making Activision titles, particularly Call of Duty, exclusive to its own cloud gaming and console platforms.
Toa Dunn Announces Exit From Riot Games
Toa Dunn, the longtime Head of Music at Riot Games, announced his departure from the company in February 2023. After a tenure spanning nearly a decade, Dunn exited to pursue new, undisclosed professional opportunities.
- Toa Dunn, the longtime Head of Riot Games Music, announced his departure from the company in February 2023.
- Dunn spent nearly a decade at Riot Games, joining the company in 2013 as a music development producer.
- During his tenure, Dunn led the development of music, television, and film initiatives, including the creation of production standards across the company's ecosystem.
ESL FACEIT Group and Bayes Esports Announce Two-Year Partnership
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Bayes Esports have entered into a two-year strategic partnership, renewing and expanding their existing collaboration.
- ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Bayes Esports have entered a two-year strategic partnership, renewing and expanding their existing collaboration.
- Bayes Esports is now the exclusive match data provider for EFG’s ecosystem, covering the ESL Pro Tour, CS:GO competitions, ESL Impact, FACEIT Collegiate CS:GO, and all Dota 2 operations.
- The companies will establish a dedicated team focused on innovating and transforming data-driven content creation.
Xbox, Paidia Gaming, and ESPORTSU Team up for All-Women Collegiate Valorant Competitions
Xbox, Paidia Gaming, and ESPORTSU have entered a partnership to host a series of all-women collegiate Valorant competitions across North America.
- Xbox, Paidia Gaming, and ESPORTSU have partnered to host all-women collegiate Valorant competitions throughout North America.
- The initiative includes a qualifying tournament on the Paidia Gaming platform, with the winner advancing to the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) in Arlington, Texas, on May 6-7, 2023.
- The partners are launching 'The Paidia Cup: Women’s Valorant Matchmaking Season,' which runs from February to May 2023.
Moonton Apologizes to PBESI for Hosting MPL Indonesia Without Permission
Moonton, the Chinese developer and tournament organizer behind the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL), issued a formal apology to the Pengurus Besar Esports Indonesia (PBESI) in early 2023.
- Moonton issued a formal apology to the Indonesian government’s esports body, PBESI, for hosting the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Indonesia Season 10 without proper permission or recommendation.
- Moonton publicly acknowledged PBESI as the sole government-recognized 'Esports Parent Organization' in Indonesia, committing to full compliance with all future PBESI rules and policies.
- The violation specifically concerned the MPL Indonesia Season 10, which concluded on October 23, 2022, though the M4 World Championship held in Jakarta was not included in the breach.
Long-Time OG Esports CEO JMR Luna Steps Down
OG Esports announced the departure of long-time CEO JMR Luna in February 2023. The transition, which took effect immediately, followed several months of internal discussions and considerations.
- JMR Luna has stepped down as CEO of OG Esports, effective immediately as of February 4, 2023.
- The departure follows more than 2.5 years of tenure, during which Luna served as CEO after joining the organization in May 2020.
- OG Esports stated the decision was reached after months of discussions and characterized the exit as an amicable parting.
Halo Championship Series 2023 Roadmap Announced
The 2023 Halo Championship Series (HCS) roadmap, announced by 343 Industries and Microsoft, outlines a restructured competitive season featuring updated prize pools, event formats, and an expanded partnership program.
- The 2023 Halo Championship Series (HCS) features a $1 million prize pool for the Halo World Championship, with $250,000 for Majors and $125,000 for the new Global Invitational events.
- 343 Industries has eliminated crowdfunding for the 2023 season, though partnered teams will continue to receive a portion of revenue from in-game item sales.
- The new 'Global Invitational' format will debut at DreamHack Dallas and in Salt Lake City, featuring 16 teams competing for a $125,000 prize pool.