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Esports World Cup 2024: Indian Esports Industry Reacts to its Potential as Game-Changer for Country’s Video-Gaming Ecosystem

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In a landmark announcement, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia declared the creation of the Esports World Cup, set to kick off in the summer of 2024 in Riyadh. The event promises to reshape the Esports landscape and enable the sport to usher in a new era of opportunity and competition for gamers worldwide.

The Esports World Cup will be replacing Gamers8, a renowned Esports festival held in Saudi Arabia. In this year’s edition of Gamers8, there were 20 different competitions across titles such as League of Legends, Fortnite, DOTA 2, FIFA 23, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile and Starcraft II amongst others.

Furthermore, the event boasted an unprecedented prize pool of $45 million, marking the largest in the history of Esports tournaments. While the titles for the Esports World Cup are yet to be announced, the tournament will include the most popular games in the world across all genres and have the largest prize pool in Esports history, as per the official announcement.

The recently published “India Games Market Report 2023” by Niko Partners states that India is predominantly a mobile-first market, with 96.8% of total gamers playing on smartphones or tablets. With the opportunity to compete in such a high-profile tournament with substantial prize pools, Indian Esports athletes are expected to diversify into various gaming titles that are not that popular within the community, in order to secure a spot at the tournament. This, in turn, will contribute to the growth and diversity of the Esports industry in the country.

Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India and VP of Asian Esports Federation, said: “The announcement of the Esports World Cup is indeed a historic moment for the global Esports community. This tournament will serve as a catalyst for change and growth, both on the global Esports map and in India. For a country with a predominantly mobile-focused gaming culture like ours, this event’s massive prize pool and diverse title offerings will undoubtedly motivate our Esports athletes and aspiring gamers to broaden their horizons and branch out to different titles. We see the Esports World Cup as an exciting platform that not only celebrates Esports but also unites the industry’s stakeholders on a global scale.”

According to data from Gamers8, the 2023 edition of the tournament recorded a cumulative viewership of 1.3 billion, with peak concurrent viewers reaching 1 million. The total views reached 2.09 million, and the impressions stood at 3.8 billion. The event also roped in prominent names such as Adidas, Pepsico, Aramco, Razer and many more global brands as official sponsors.

The Esports World Cup’s magnitude is expected to surpass these numbers, providing high visibility and prestige to Indian athletes participating in the tournament. This will undoubtedly lead to attracting more investments from sponsors, legacy brands, and venture capitalists, which will bolster Indian players and the community.

“Esports has always transcended borders and united passionate gamers from around the globe. With the announcement of the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the Indian Esports ecosystem is on the verge of a transformative journey. The tournament will not only serve as a platform for our incredibly talented players to showcase their skills on the world stage but also foster international collaboration, promote the growth of Esports in India, and inspire a new generation of gamers to chase their dreams. The Indian Esports community is ready to make its mark and this opportunity is the catalyst we’ve been waiting for. Let’s rise, break boundaries, and redefine what it means to be a part of the global Esports family,” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder of S8UL and Founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives.

Esports in India has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with notable achievements in international competitions. In the Asian Games 2022, the nation fielded a historic 15-member contingent, competing in titles like DOTA 2, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, League of Legends and EA Sports FC Online. Prior to that, Esports also made an appearance at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham 2022 where India’s DOTA 2 team even clinched a remarkable bronze medal.

In the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Mumbai recently, IOC President Thomas Bach announced their plans regarding the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. With Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Esports World Cup, India’s Esports talents will have another global platform to showcase their skills.

Mayank Prajapati aka MiKeYROG, who represented India in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition at the recently concluded Asian Games 2022, said: “As an Esports athlete, I see this as a window of opportunity for every gamer across India to proudly represent the country and make a name for themselves on the global stage. Much like in traditional sports World Cups where previously lesser-known athletes rise to prominence and lead their nation to glory, this could be the moment for Esports athletes to shine. The Esports World Cup has the potential to motivate Indian players to push their limits in various titles, thus expanding the talent pool and propelling the entire sector to newer heights.”

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Evoplay adds Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup to iconic series

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has released Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup, the latest addition to its acclaimed instant game series. Inspired by the success of the previous two titles, this new release combines the best elements of both games to deliver an even more immersive experience.

The fan-favourite series adds its third title, a football-themed game where players take on the role of penalty takers, delivering a realistic stadium experience with dynamic visuals and a captivating atmosphere.

Each round features five penalty shots, where players can strategically aim at their chosen target or opt for a random selection. Scoring all five shots triggers the Super Win, awarding the title of Game Champion and maximum rewards.

Outcomes are determined by a random number generator, with successful shots offering multipliers that can boost winnings up to 32x the bet.

Designed with flexibility in mind, Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup is optimised for both mobile and desktop platforms.

With its engaging features, striking visuals, and football-inspired soundtrack, Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup stands out as a valuable addition to any operator’s portfolio, catering to both sports fans and instant game enthusiasts.

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said:Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup brings the excitement of football’s most iconic moments to the iGaming world.

“By merging the energy of a penalty shootout with instant game mechanics, we’ve created a title that offers widespread appeal. We’re confident it will engage players and deliver strong results for our operator partners.”

The post Evoplay adds Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup to iconic series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Regulating the Game Adds Session “Industry Collaborations in Research” to Provide Guidance for Best Practices

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Gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game announced an insightful session titled “Industry Collaborations in Research,” presented by Tracy Schrans, President of Focal Research Consultants.

This session will delve into findings from Focal Research’s groundbreaking collaboration with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute, addressing the critical question: Is there a right time to interact with players during a continuous play session?

The presentation will feature:

• An in-depth analysis of real-world behavioural tracking data.

• Insights into who is more likely to engage in extended play sessions and why.

• Practical implications for safer gambling practices, including identifying optimal times for player interactions to prevent and minimise harm.

“While the findings challenge traditional assumptions about continuous play and risk, they provide invaluable guidance for shaping best practices around player interactions,” the organsers said.

Tracy Schrans, alongside Dr. Tony Schellinck, pioneered the use of player-tracking data to develop algorithms for detecting and managing customer risk and harm. As President of Focal Research Consultants, she leads innovative research and collaborates with global stakeholders to set new standards for responsible gambling. Her work has received international acclaim for leveraging data and technology to identify at-risk gamblers and implement harm mitigation strategies effectively.

“Through research-driven insights, we can redefine when and how to engage with players in ways that prioritize their safety and well-being. This session highlights the power of collaboration between industry and academia to advance responsible gambling practices,” said Tracy Schrans.

Attendees will gain actionable insights into how cutting-edge research can drive more effective gambling harm prevention strategies. “This session is a must for industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders seeking to enhance their understanding of player behavior and develop evidence-based solutions,” organisers said.

Regulating the Game is a flagship event, that brings together global leaders, regulators and industry professionals to tackle public policy and regulatory challenges. The conference fosters meaningful dialogue and innovation to support efficient and effective gambling regulation. The conference will be held at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour from March 10–13, 2025.

The post Regulating the Game Adds Session “Industry Collaborations in Research” to Provide Guidance for Best Practices appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ELF and DAZN Sign New Partnership

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The European League of Football (ELF) and DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, have signed a new eight-year partnership that will see DAZN broadcast all 101 games of the 2025 season. DAZN will become the exclusive OTT provider with a new “ELF Game Pass” product and will become the single destination where fans of the competition can watch every game.

This deal will grow the reach, discoverability and global popularity of ELF as ELF Game Pass will join NFL Game Pass, National League, Rally TV, PGA Tour Pass and FIBA’s Courtside 1891 as a standalone add-on channel within the DAZN platform. All these channels are available as part of an enhanced and upgraded DAZN subscription or as a standalone service, offering fans unparalleled choice and customisation.

With DAZN, ELF will be available in over 200 markets, across multiple internet-enabled devices and distribution channels, and benefit from DAZN’s marketing expertise and innovative product development. The flexibility and delivery-focused nature of DAZN’s platform enables live and on-demand content to be streamed at scale, while also providing the capability to localise in key markets.

“The long-term partnership with DAZN marks a landmark moment in ELF’s history. With DAZN at our side, we can continue to drive forward our vision of establishing American football as an integral part of the European sports scene and popularising it worldwide. The combination of an innovative platform and enormous reach will allow us to bring the games and stories of the ELF to millions of fans around the world. This is a huge step for the league, its franchises and football in Europe. We are convinced that this collaboration will play a key role in growing our fan base, further igniting passion for the sport and taking the European League of Football to a new level,” said Zeljko Karajica, Managing Director of the ELF.

Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, said: “The European League of Football is a dynamic newcomer in European sport. As the International Home of NFL Game Pass, DAZN is driving the rapid growth in popularity of American Football in Europe. The ELF has proven its potential to drive this further. Our mission at DAZN is to offer the most attractive and diverse experience, and the ELF shares this ambition with its dynamic and top-tier content. With this partnership, DAZN will create a global home for the ELF, reaching new audiences and growing the popularity of American Football in Europe.”

The fifth season of the European League of Football kicks off in mid-May with 16 teams from nine nations: Defending champion Rhein Fire, Berlin Thunder, Hamburg Sea Devils, Munich Ravens, Stuttgart Surge, Frankfurt Galaxy, Cologne Centurios (all Germany), Vienna Vikings, Raiders Tirol (both Austria), Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary), Panthers Wroclaw (Poland), Prague Lions (Czech Republic), Helvetic Mercenaries (Switzerland), Madrid Bravos (Spain), Paris Musketeers (France) and newcomer Nordic Storm (Denmark).

The existing ELF direct-to-consumer OTT product will be shut down and the channel will be fully aggregated into the DAZN ecosystem. Ahead of the new season, customers will receive communications on how to access the product on the DAZN platform.

The post ELF and DAZN Sign New Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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