The Esports Advocate
Esports business news: deals, legal, and governance.
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BLEED Esports Partners With eNDX Fantasy Game Platform
Singapore-based esports organization BLEED Esports has entered into a partnership with the fantasy trading platform eNDX.
- Singapore-based esports organization BLEED Esports has entered into a partnership with the fantasy trading platform eNDX.
- Under the agreement, BLEED’s Counter-Strike 2 roster will be added to the eNDX exchange, allowing users to trade virtual shares of the players.
- BLEED Esports will receive a percentage of the revenue generated from the trading of its players on the eNDX platform.
Lexus Named Presenting Sponsor of Ultimate Madden Bowl
Electronic Arts and the National Football League have entered into a partnership naming Lexus as the presenting sponsor of the Ultimate Madden Bowl.
- Lexus has been named the presenting sponsor of the Ultimate Madden Bowl, a key competition within Electronic Arts' Madden NFL 24 Championship Series.
- The sponsorship includes virtual naming rights to the 'Lexus Stadium' within the Madden NFL 24 Ultimate Team game mode.
- The 2024 Lexus GX vehicle will be featured on-site at the tournament's finale in Las Vegas.
BLEED Esports Partners With Kick
Singapore-based organization BLEED Esports has entered into a strategic partnership with the live streaming platform Kick.
- Singapore-based esports organization BLEED Esports has entered into a partnership with the live streaming platform Kick.
- Under the agreement, Kick becomes the official streaming partner for BLEED, with branding to be featured on team jerseys and social media channels.
- Financial terms and the duration of the partnership were not disclosed by either party.
OverActive Media Partners With SCUF, Blacklyte
Canadian esports organization OverActive Media has expanded its commercial portfolio through a new partnership with the gaming lifestyle brand Blacklyte and the renewal of a long-standing agreement with gaming peripherals manufacturer SCUF Gaming.
- OverActive Media has signed a new partnership with gaming furniture and accessory brand Blacklyte and renewed its long-standing agreement with controller manufacturer SCUF Gaming.
- The Blacklyte partnership includes naming rights to OverActive’s 'Creator Lab' content studio and branding across Toronto Ultra and other company assets.
- Both Blacklyte and SCUF Gaming will feature on-site integrations and activations at the Toronto Ultra Major III tournament, scheduled for April 12 – May 19, 2024.
Disguised Partners With BLEED in Southeast Asia
The North American esports organization Disguised, founded by streamer Jeremy “Disguised Toast” Wang, has entered a strategic partnership with Singapore-based BLEED Esports to manage a professional Valorant roster in the Malaysia/Singapore region.
- North American esports organization Disguised (DSG) has partnered with Singapore-based BLEED Esports to operate a professional Valorant roster in the Malaysia/Singapore region.
- The partnership marks Disguised's official exit from the North American Valorant Challengers scene.
- The collaboration includes joint efforts in content creation, marketing, community-building, and the hosting of watch parties and events.
GameSquare Launches Moonlight Studios
GameSquare Holdings has officially launched Moonlight Studios, a new division dedicated to developing branded game content within popular platforms such as Fortnite, Roblox, and Grand Theft Auto.
- GameSquare Holdings has launched Moonlight Studios, a new division dedicated to developing branded game content within platforms such as Fortnite, Roblox, and Grand Theft Auto.
- The studio is led by former professional Fortnite player Kyle “Kazify/Kaz” Rapozo and has been operating in stealth mode for approximately six months prior to its public announcement on January 25, 2024.
- Moonlight Studios will leverage the resources of GameSquare’s existing creative agency, Zoned, while occasionally utilizing third-party development partners like Alliance Studios.
Streams Charts Launches MIRAI
Streams Charts, a prominent live-streaming viewership analytics platform, has expanded its business operations by launching a global influencer marketing and advertising division named MIRAI.
- Streams Charts has launched a new global influencer marketing and advertising division called MIRAI to provide end-to-end campaign management and data-driven brand consulting.
- MIRAI utilizes AI-driven analytics to offer services including creator partner program development, talent recruitment, and market insights for brands.
- The new division aims to improve influencer marketing effectiveness by bridging the gap between brands and streamer communities through sustainable, data-backed deals.
IESF and GEF Form Esports Leadership Group
The International Esports Federation (IESF) and the Global Esports Federation (GEF) have officially established the Esports Leadership Group (ELG) to formalize their cooperation and implement shared strategic initiatives.
- The International Esports Federation (IESF) and the Global Esports Federation (GEF) have formed the Esports Leadership Group (ELG) to implement collaborative initiatives following a series of memorandums signed in late 2023.
- The ELG is chaired by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President Ser Miang Ng, with participation from IESF President HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud and GEF President Chris Chan.
- The formation of the ELG is part of a broader strategic effort to establish Saudi Arabia as a primary global hub for international esports events.
Goodbye OWL, Hello Overwatch Champions Series
Blizzard Entertainment has officially transitioned its competitive Overwatch 2 ecosystem away from the franchised Overwatch League model, replacing it with the newly formed Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS).
- Blizzard Entertainment has replaced the franchised Overwatch League with a new open-circuit competition called the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS).
- The ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) will operate the new circuit, managing competitions in North America and the EMEA region, while the South Korean organizer WDG will oversee operations in Asia.
- The OWCS circuit is scheduled to launch in February 2024 and will utilize the FACEIT platform for online qualifiers and tournaments.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Coming to Esports World Cup
MOONTON Games has announced that its flagship title, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, will be featured at the inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- MOONTON Games will feature the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Mid Season Cup and the MLBB Women’s Invitational at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 1–14, 2024.
- The MLBB Mid Season Cup will feature teams from 14 international regions and over 35 countries competing for a total prize pool exceeding $3 million USD.
- The MLBB Women’s Invitational will feature an expanded prize pool of $500,000 and include participants from 12 regions and countries.
Skyesports Reveals City-Based Battlegrounds Mobile India League
Skyesports has announced the launch of a new city-based league for the mobile title Battlegrounds Mobile India (BMGI).
- Skyesports is launching a new city-based league for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BMGI) featuring 16 teams representing major Indian cities.
- The inaugural in-person event for the league is scheduled to take place in Mumbai in March 2024.
- The 16 participating teams include the Ahmedabad Avengers, Bengaluru Crushers, Bhubaneswar Titans, Chennai Clutchers, Delhi Dragons, Guwahati Giants, Hyderabad Nawabs, Kochi Kings, Kolkata Tridents, Lucknow Pushers, Mumbai Aces, Pune Pros, Punjab Pinnacles, Rajasthan Strikers, Ranchi Warriors, and Vizag Gladiators.
Riot Games Cuts 530 Jobs From Global Workforce
Riot Games announced a significant restructuring in January 2024, resulting in the elimination of 530 positions, which represents approximately 11% of its global workforce.
- Riot Games is laying off 530 employees, representing 11% of its total global workforce.
- The company is shifting its strategic focus toward its core titles: League of Legends, Valorant, Wild Rift, and Teamfight Tactics.
- Riot Forge will cease new game development after the release of 'Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story', abandoning the original plan to produce six games.