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Esports World Cup Adds Five More Game Titles to Summer 2024 Festival
Esports World Cup (EWC) Foundation this week revealed five additional games that will be part of the inaugural Esports World Cup this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. From battle royales like PUBG to tactical and first-person titles like Rainbow Six Siege and Overwatch 2, along with popular mobile games Garena Free Fire and PUBG MOBILE, the newly announced lineup showcases the breadth of the shooter genre and its fandom.
The five game titles revealed today will be featured on the EWC’s growing schedule alongside previously announced five titles, including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Honor of Kings, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and StarCraft II. This brings the total number of announced titles to date to ten and adds to the broad range of genres that will be available at the Summer 2024 competition.
EWC will host these communities later this year for a global competition that will crown the first-ever Esports World Cup Club Champion. The cross-game competition will reward Clubs’ success in individual games and offer additional prizes for the teams that perform best across the breadth of EWC tournaments. Participating Clubs will compete across a mix of platforms and genres that will connect the esports fans, teams, and publishers in new ways and create the largest-ever celebration of esports.
“First-person and tactical shooters are a cornerstone of gaming and esports and played by billions internationally,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation. “We’re bringing together all the best games, including these titles and the rest of our competitions, to connect an unprecedented variety of global communities. We’re excited to have them be a part of this first-of-its-kind event.”
The latest collection of titles recognizes the history of shooters in esports and their ability to offer immersive and compelling entertainment for players and fans alike. This includes Rainbow Six Siege, the flagship title of the iconic first-person shooter franchise that was first released more than 25 years ago. This February, the Six Invitational 2024 broke the franchise records in both viewership and fan attendance, with more than 9,000 passionate fans and 521,323 viewers online watching the Grand Final.
PUBG, a third-person and first-person title that played a pivotal role in the success of battle royale games, will be played across both PC and mobile platforms at EWC. The PUBG MOBILE Global Championship Season 0 holds the record as the fourth most-watched esports tournament with over 3.8 million peak viewers, and the game has put forward $136 million in prize winnings across both mobile and PC competitions since the launch of the 2017 PC version. PUBG Global Championship 2023 Grand Finals, held in Bangkok, Thailand, also set a new all-time concurrent viewership record on its opening day.
Since its release in 2016, Overwatch has cultivated a far-reaching, diverse, and multinational audience thanks to an innovative style of team gameplay that holds a unique place in the FPS category. Overwatch 2, the successor to the original game, boasts passionate fans at a global scale, and the title’s newly launched Overwatch Champions Series esports ecosystem will serve as an opportunity for EWC qualification.
Garena Free Fire, behind the accessibility and advancement of mobile devices, has built a global fan base and esports ecosystems that allow players to compete for championship titles anywhere a 5G signal is available. The battle royale title is one of the world’s most played and most downloaded mobile games, with more than 200 million monthly users on mobile devices last year. It also put on the most-viewed mobile esports tournament, with a peak concurrent viewership of 5.4 million fans tuning in to watch the Free Fire World Series in 2021.
EWC revealed the latest participating publishers and games on social media through a mix of CGI videos and graphics that captured each game’s unique IP and the regions that have been integral to their esports history, including:
Rainbow Six Siege (Paris, France)
Overwatch 2 (Toronto, Canada)
Garena Free Fire (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
PUBG: Mobile (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
PUBG (Gyeongju, South Korea)
Latest News
GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Usyk Unite to Bring Boxing and iGaming Closer Together
Ready to Fight by Oleksandr Usyk and GR8 Tech have joined forces in a technological partnership that bridges the worlds of sports and innovation.
As Ready To Fight’s exclusive Partner in Tech, GR8 Tech combines its UNrivaled expertise in iGaming with RTF’s experience as the UNdisputed champion’s team to deliver solutions that push boundaries and achieve extraordinary results.
“The iGaming industry is a highly fluid environment, very similar to boxing as a competitive sport: The winners in it are strategic thinkers, relentless in preparation and flawless in execution. These qualities unite GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Oleksandr Usyk and serve as the foundation of our partnership, empowering GR8 Tech to help its clients achieve UNdisputed success in their own rings,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, CRO at GR8 Tech.
“Our partnership with GR8 Tech is about bringing the boxing world closer through technology and creating something new for fighters, fans, and industry leaders. We’re combining GR8 Tech’s expertise in iGaming with our vision to build a stronger, smarter platform. Together, we’ll be rolling out new features and innovations to bring people together and make the boxing experience better with great tech,” said Oleksandr Usyk, Co-Founder of Ready to Fight.
GR8 Tech’s top-tier Sportsbook and iGaming platform stands out for its scalability, precision, and exceptional performance – qualities that align with Usyk’s UNwavering drive and UNstoppable track record. Just as Ready To Fight by Usyk wins the global boxing market, GR8 Tech excels with UNparalleled event coverage, sophisticated margin management, and a geo-specific approach, providing everything operators need to achieve extraordinary success in any market.
Ready to Fight’s mission to merge technology with boxing comes to life through GR8 Tech’s advanced platform. By leveraging GR8 Tech’s technological expertise, RTF meets the high operational standards of iGaming leaders. Both brands share a data-driven, innovative approach, empowering their audiences to break boundaries and achieve UNprecedented success at the intersection of sports and technology.
This UNdisputedly GR8 partnership marks the start of an exciting 2025, bringing digital activations, exclusive merch, and a groundbreaking product tech collaboration. Stay up-to-date with all the latest news by following GR8 Tech on its website and LinkedIn.
The post GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Usyk Unite to Bring Boxing and iGaming Closer Together appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Fandoms and Passions: New SuperAwesome Research Demystifies Gen Alpha and Gen Z for Brands
– Study of almost 4,000 Gen Alpha/Z respondents reveals how brands can best engage the vital but elusive kid and teen audience –
SuperAwesome, the leading youth technology and insights provider, has launched a groundbreaking in-depth study into the passions and fandoms that enable brands and IP owners to forge deeper connections with young audiences.
Kids and teens remain a vital but elusive audience. They shift across a hyper-fragmented media landscape, immersed in (and defining) cultures that move faster than ever before. The long-standing challenge of data scarcity relating to under-18 audiences makes connecting meaningfully with them incredibly difficult for brands.
Conducted among 3,750 under-18s and their parents across the US, UK and Germany, the new research provides critical insights to help brands decode the passions and fandoms that fuel youth audiences. Launched today at the London Toy Fair, ‘Fandoms & Passions: The Antidotes to Hyper-Fragmented Youth Audiences’ reveals that meaningful and lasting relationships are developed throughout childhood and teenhood that impact brand loyalty in this timespan and beyond.
Kate O’Loughlin, CEO of SuperAwesome, said: “The fragmentation of kids’ and teens’ digital behaviors continues to grow, yet the insights on how to engage them have been limited to rudimentary observations of what they interact with online – without understanding the WHY. We conducted this research to uncover the complex drivers of how brands can build real resonance with young audiences.”
Fandoms and Passions – What’s the Difference?
Passions are hobbies or interests (think gaming, sports, or music). They’re important for self-discovery and shaping individual perspectives, and are primarily focused on the personal connection with an activity or interest. Tapping into passions gives an instant connection to young audiences on a personal level.
Fandoms can elevate this further by adding a social dimension. They’re built around community or consumable content that unites people (think particular video games, film franchises, or a musician, for example). They allow kids to be part of a collective, creating a sense of community and belonging. This shared experience strengthens their connection to the fandom and the brands that interact with them authentically.
How Important Are Fandoms and Passions Really?
3 in 5 kids engage with their passions daily, and 56% of kids engage with their fandoms daily. On average, young people have 4 passions but only 2 fandoms at any given time due to the social and potential financial investment fandoms require. More than half (55%) of those surveyed said their top fandom had an enormous influence on their daily lives, rating its impact at least 9 out of 10.
How Do Fandoms and Passions Translate Into Engagement Opportunities with Gen Alpha & Gen Z?
Young audiences are naturally drawn to brands that reflect their values: 74% say they feel more connected to brands that share their passions, while 73% feel more positive about brands that collaborate with something or someone they’re a fan of. Not every brand can create a fandom, but it is possible to leverage passions and collaborate with fandoms to maximize the potential of understanding and connecting with young people.
Kate O’Loughlin, CEO of SuperAwesome added: “With this research, making safe connections to Gen Alpha and Gen Z can be as sophisticated as they are. The ability to take an audience-based approach with youth – rooted in a comprehensive understanding of their values, passions and emotions – is a necessary leap forward to meet the challenge of engaging kids and teens as they rapidly evolve.”
The research highlights that brands that are looking to connect with youth audiences cross-platform can begin with understanding their deep interests, emotional engagement and commitment. 47% of respondents watch content (like on YouTube) and shows (on streaming platforms) related to their fandoms, plus 22% also play games, use apps or buy merchandise related to the fandoms too.
Far from trying to exclude brands from their fandoms and passions, the research shows that 67% of young people think brands could do more to connect with them. It’s up to brands to make sure they do this with a deep understanding of their audience, enabling them to engage with meaning and authenticity.
Download the full report at this link: superawesome.com/identities-fandoms-and-understanding-youth-audiences/
The post Fandoms and Passions: New SuperAwesome Research Demystifies Gen Alpha and Gen Z for Brands appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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iGX and Optimove Announce Report on the Transformative Impact of Gamification and AI in the iGaming Industry
iGX, a leading voice in the iGaming industry, and Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing platform for iGaming and sports betting operators, announce the release of a report exploring the transformative role of gamification and Generative AI (Gen AI) in the iGaming industry. This comprehensive study highlights the trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of iGaming, providing valuable insights for operators navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.
Methodology:
iGX Insights surveyed 100 Heads of Marketing, CMOs, Brand Directors, and similar executives from iGaming organizations across Europe to find out how the industry is continuing its gamification efforts and the impact AI is having on iGaming.
Key Findings Previewed
The forthcoming report reveals critical insights into how gamification and AI are revolutionizing player engagement, retention, and overall gaming experiences:
- Gamification’s Universal Adoption: The report highlights that 100% of surveyed iGaming operators have implemented gamification strategies, underscoring its universal adoption. Popular elements such as achievements, tournaments, and personalized challenges have proven effective in driving player activity and loyalty.
- Generative AI’s Growing Role: With 61% of operators already deploying Gen AI solutions and 39% planning to do so, AI is reshaping iGaming. Applications such as personalized promotions, automated content creation, and predictive analytics are driving hyper-personalization and streamlining operations.
- Data-Driven Personalization: The study emphasizes the increasing importance of player data in tailoring experiences. Organizations that leverage data insights effectively can deliver highly targeted content, predict player behavior, and optimize engagement strategies.
Industry Implications
The report positions gamification and AI as pivotal to the future of iGaming, enabling operators to deliver immersive, personalized experiences. By integrating these technologies, organizations can foster deeper player loyalty, enhance lifetime value, and remain competitive in a dynamic market. However, the study also addresses the challenges of data analytics and ethical use, which will be critical for sustained success.
As noted by Pini Yakuel, CEO of Optimove, “Gamification and Generative AI are no longer optional strategies—they are essential for operators looking to thrive in today’s competitive iGaming landscape. This report provides a roadmap for leveraging these tools to enhance player engagement and deliver meaningful, data-driven experiences.”
Added Gabriela Martins da Silva, Content Director iGX, “It’s important to note that implementing Generative AI solutions successfully also requires a strong data foundation. Any gaps in data can lead to inaccurate results, introducing potential risks when deploying these technologies. That said, it’s clear that AI is poised to become a cornerstone of the gaming industry, and the number of companies leveraging Generative AI will only increase in the coming years.”
The post iGX and Optimove Announce Report on the Transformative Impact of Gamification and AI in the iGaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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