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Game mode on: BBC Three takes viewers behind the multimillion-pound esports scene

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Game mode on: BBC Three takes viewers behind the multimillion-pound esports scene
Game mode on: BBC Three takes viewers behind the multimillion-pound esports sceneReading Time: 3 minutes

 

  •         Fight For First: EXCEL ESPORTS, available on BBC iPlayer early 2021
  •         Narrated by Cillian Murphy

At a time when the global audience for esports is set to eclipse the viewership of traditional spectator sporting events and 80 million people a month play League of Legends, a new documentary series from BBC Three has been commissioned to give viewers an unprecedented insight into one of the biggest games in the world. Fight for First:  EXCEL ESPORTS will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer in early 2021.

Narrated by Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Cillian Murphy, this five-part series follows, a multimillion pound esports organisation, at home in their state of the art training facility at Twickenham stadium and abroad at The League of Legends European Championships (LEC) in Berlin, meeting the six-figure salary gamers who are at the heart of this team of rising young superstars. In 2019, they finished in tenth place, but now with huge financial backing, brand new players and a world class coaching team, can they make a true impact on the international League of Legends scene?

Founded in 2014, brothers Kieran and Joel Holmes-Darby came up with the idea for an esports team over a pint. Now six years later and with an investment of eight figures behind them, EXCEL compete in one the biggest gaming leagues in the world.

The team train out of Twickenham stadium and have access to a wide range of sporting facilities usually only reserved for top athletes. Whether it’s DNA testing, physiotherapy, sports psychology, or nutrition, EXCEL applies the same level of training as any traditional sporting team.

During the season, the EXCEL players all live together in a gaming house, so they’re in each other’s pockets 24/7. BBC Three follows the team as they compete against the world’s best esports athletes, while navigating the growing pains of adulting, living away from home, love, new friendships and fame. On the surface, they may be young, rich and living out their dreams, but each player has their own deep-rooted reasons why gaming plays such an important role in their lives.

Cillian Murphy says: “My sons love gaming. When I showed them the trailer for this, they said I had to do it. Being involved in Fight For First has been a great experience and there is so much more to professional gaming than I ever thought. It has opened up a whole new world to me and this series provides a proper insight into a fascinating, global industry.

Kieran Holmes-Darby, Co-Founder and Chief Gaming Officer at EXCEL ESPORTS, said: “This five-part series showcases our attempts to reach the League of Legends European Championship play-offs for the first time in our history and is a completely unique insight into EXCEL ESPORTS and what goes on behind the scenes of a major esports organisation. At EXCEL, whilst competing at the elite level, we pride ourselves on always striving to be better, and the series demonstrates how we practise, prepare and play. Not only will it offer our fans a deeper look into what we do, but it will also offer people who are completely new to esports a fascinating perspective of our exciting industry.”

Fiona Campbell, Controller BBC Three, says: “The BBC Three in-house documentary team have created a fascinating series and true insight into the world’s fastest growing sport – and one that has a huge following and importance to our audience. We’re excited to be the first UK broadcaster to follow an esports team through a global esports competition, taking viewers behind the scenes as the teenage team members juggle competing on a world stage with their lives at home.”

Fight For First: EXCEL ESPORTS is a 5 x 30 production made by the BBC Three in-house team. It was commissioned by Fiona Campbell, Controller BBC Three, produced and directed by Simon Rawles. The Executive Producers are James Corbin and Jo Smith for BBC Three.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Game mode on: BBC Three takes viewers behind the multimillion-pound esports scene

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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Quantum continues expansion streak with two director-level new hires

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One of betting and gaming’s best-known customer acquisition and comparison businesses, Quantum, has announced the next steps in its ambitious growth plan by welcoming two new director-level appointees.

Joining the business are Dimitris Papamichael as commercial director and Luke Watkin as marketing director – both in newly created roles. They come in alongside a full C-suite and a full team of new tech hires that continues a recruitment drive which began in 2023 – and reflects Quantum’s rapid and consistent growth throughout the last five years.

Papamichael will be responsible for all revenue-generating activities across the business in a pivotal leadership role. He’ll shape Quantum’s commercial strategy as the company diversifies into new verticals while maintaining its strong position in the iGaming sector. He’ll also lead an expanding team of commercial and sales managers.

Watkin will lead the development and execution of the marketing strategy across all business verticals. As marketing director, he’ll be instrumental in shaping Quantum’s marketing vision, building scalable systems, and delivering commercial impact as it expands into new markets. Watkin will build and mentor a high-performing marketing team and is also tasked with driving further recruitment.

Speaking of the appointments and new strategic direction, CMO James McCarthy said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Dimitris and Luke to Quantum during what is undoubtedly a really fascinating time in our growth. From cementing our relationship with some of iGaming’s biggest names to helping us expand into exciting new sectors, both of our new Directors will be integral to the continued success of the business.”

Papamichael said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Quantum at such an exciting stage of its incredible growth journey. The company has already achieved so much, and there’s huge potential ahead as we expand into new markets and sectors. I can’t wait to work with the exceptionally talented team here to seize the many opportunities ahead and drive the next phase of growth.”

Watkin said: “I am delighted to join a business with such a proven track record of excellence in its core markets, as well as highly ambitious plans for strategic expansion into new markets and territories. I am looking forward to contributing towards building on the exceptional progress the team has made to date, and accelerating that growth in the years ahead.”

This people news comes hot on the heels of the company’s exciting rebrand news of last week, moving toward the “quantum” in QiH Group” as well as redefining the business’ purpose and strategic direction.

The post Quantum continues expansion streak with two director-level new hires appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BETBY WRAPS UP EXPO YEAR WITH BEST SPORTSBOOK PROVIDER WIN AT SiGMA CENTRAL EUROPE B2B AWARDS

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BETBY has been named Best Sportsbook Provider 2025 at the SiGMA Central Europe B2B Awards, held during the prestigious SiGMA Central Europe event that took place from November 3-6 at Fiera Roma in Rome, Italy.

This accolade recognises BETBY’s continued commitment to excellence and innovation in sportsbook technology, reflecting the company’s efforts to deliver flexible, user-centric solutions that empower operators.

Over the past year, BETBY has continued to enhance its product portfolio with new sportsbook management tools, AI-powered features, and expanded coverage across major and niche sports. This latest recognition highlights the company’s dedication to setting new benchmarks in performance, scalability, and user experience.

Coinciding with the event, BETBY has also launched the second phase of its global campaign featuring world chess champion Magnus Carlsen, titled “Leaders Choose Leaders.” The campaign reinforces the shared values of insight, precision, and excellence, highlighting that in both chess and business, true leaders recognise and choose other leaders.

“We’re honoured to receive this recognition from SiGMA Central Europe. It’s a testament to the hard work, passion, and innovation of our entire team. Our goal has always been to build the best sportsbook infrastructure in the industry, and this award reinforces that we’re on the right path,” said Leonid Pertsovskiy, CEO at BETBY: “It also comes at a perfect moment, as we launch the second phase of our global campaign with Magnus Carlsen — ‘Leaders Choose Leaders’ — a message that perfectly reflects this achievement and our vision of leadership through excellence.”

Following previous wins across global industry events, including recent honours at SiGMA Euro-Med and SBC Summit Lisbon, this new distinction further cements BETBY’s position as a Tier-1 partner and technology provider in the iGaming sector.

To find out more about BETBY, visit: https://betby.com/

The post BETBY WRAPS UP EXPO YEAR WITH BEST SPORTSBOOK PROVIDER WIN AT SiGMA CENTRAL EUROPE B2B AWARDS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Fortnite, Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, UFL and More to Headline at the Games of the Future 2025

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Reinforcing the momentum of the latest evolution in gaming, Phygital International (PI), the exclusive rights holder and custodian of the Games of the Future (GOTF), announced the blockbuster titles that will be part of the Games of the Future 2025 in Abu Dhabi, 18-23 December.

Merging the speed and power of traditional sport with the skill and drama of esports, the Games of the Future 2025 will showcase the pinnacle of phygital competition. Athletes and fans will experience a unique format that blends real-world challenges with some of the world’s most iconic video games across 11 disciplines.

Counter-Strike 2 , the legendary tactical shooter, will anchor the Phygital Shooter competition, where players’ precision, strategy, and teamwork will be tested under intense pressure. A global icon of competitive gaming, Counter-Strike 2 will ignite the tournament’s digital stage with its signature intensity and legacy of fast-paced action. Alongside it, Dota 2, the iconic multiplayer online battle arena, will challenge teams in the MOBAPC competition, to demonstrate tactical mastery and resilience showcasing why it remains one of the most enduring and respected esports titles of all time.

The global sensation, Fortnite, with its vast global community and culture-defining impact, will headline the Battle Royale discipline. Its dynamic blend of survival and high-intensity action ensures that Battle Royale will deliver edge-of-the-seat drama, where only one club will be left standing taking the crown. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, one of the most storied franchises in fighting game history, will add a different kind of spectacle, combining precision, reflexes, and tactical prowess to determine the ultimate champion during the digital phase of the Phygital Fighting competition.

Alongside these flagship titles, this year’s Phygital Football competition at the Games of the Future, will feature the high-intensity, next-generation football title of UFL. Adding to the excitement, 3on3 Freestyle will headline the Phygital Basketball discipline, bringing its trademark street-style flair and fast-paced play to the tournament. Together, these dynamic disciplines will fuse virtual gameplay with real-world action, as athletes transition seamlessly between digital matches and on-field challenges, delivering a fast-paced showcase of skill, strategy, and teamwork that redefines competition in for a phygital era.

“Having these iconic titles at the Games of the Future 2025 marks a defining moment for both gaming and sport. This is where elite athleticism meets the creativity and energy of competitive gaming to create something truly extraordinary, demonstrating that phygital sport isn’t just the next chapter, it’s the future of global competition,” said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International.

By combining some of the most iconic and globally recognized video games with the energy of live athletic challenges, GOTF 2025 will deliver an unparalleled sporting spectacle. Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 18-23 December, the world’s leading phygital sports tournament will unite the world’s top phygital athletes for six days of competition, innovation, and entertainment. Alongside the tournaments, fans can expect immersive VR experiences, cutting-edge sports technology, cultural showcases, and interactive fan zones designed to celebrate the fusion of physical and digital worlds and create an unmissable experience.

The post Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Fortnite, Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, UFL and More to Headline at the Games of the Future 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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