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BMW and FNATIC launch Drive is the Difference
Our partnership with BMW has always focused on high performance and creating excellence within the sport. BMW drives performance in the same way that Fnatic enables people to Game Better; optimising gamings skills, improving performance, and becoming the best in class.
The Esports industry has matured drastically over the last five years. The life of an esports pro is incredibly intense across all titles, with some games requiring them to make 600 decisions per minute, and whilst competing pros are subject to 51 external stress factors (including playing in front of an audience, and having to communicate under pressure). To reach these levels of performance, players have to spend an average of 7-9 hours practicing every day.
We understand better than anyone the pressure this puts on our players, so through our partnership with BMW we have found a way to ensure optimum player performance, through the joy of playing.
Working with Octagon, FNATIC & BMW have created ‘Drive is the Difference’, designed to promote balance and ensure players are understanding both their mental and physical needs. As part of the ‘Drive is the Difference’ campaign, BMW took Fnatic FIFA Esports World Champion Tekkz, and Esports star Shawrey on a relaxing weekend away, allowing them to completely disconnect from the pressures of the gaming world, recharge, and find their drive.
This campaign includes a documentary-style hero video and four shorter supporting videos that focus on each of the activities across the weekend.
“These young stars are incredible at what they do, what’s important to FNATIC and BMW is ensuring they always maintain their joy for the sport. That’s why we are so excited to launch “Drive is the Difference”, said James General Manager, from BMW. “We hope this will send a strong message out to the Esports community globally, encouraging all gamers to follow the example set by Tekkz to find that all-important balance in their lives.”
Colin Johnson, Team Director and New Projects Lead at Fnatic stated “Performance is something that BMW and FNATIC have always had in common, but an oft-neglected part of performance is what to do during your downtime. Drive is the Difference is a perfect example of the importance of the idea that running yourself into the ground is not always the key to success – you have to be efficient in every aspect of life and rest and relaxation is no exception. That balance is what has lead stars like Tekkz to become happy and healthy champions and we hope that is communicated to our fanbase and the rest of the community through this initiative.”
Ryan Shaw, Creative Director at Octagon said “Drive is the Difference is a first in its kind programme in the Esports world and one I’m very proud of. Our film documents two Esports stars completely unplugging from gaming to come back feeling refreshed and recharged. It’s quite unexpected for a performance brand to actually take you away from the sport you love, but that’s what makes BMW such a brilliant sponsor, they understand the importance of finding balance, so you always find joy in playing at that top level”.

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Velocity Gaming Clinches VCT Ascension Pacific Slot After Dominant LAN Finale Victory at OMEN VCSA 2025
- Velocity Gaming Clinches VCT Ascension Pacific Slot After Dominant LAN Finale Victory at OMEN VCSA 2025
- Velocity Gaming bests S8UL 3-1 in the Grand Finale of the OMEN VCSA 2025 Ascension Qualifiers LAN
- Multi-Million Viewership Milestone Marks New High for South Asian VALORANT
Velocity Gaming has secured its place at VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 after beating S8UL 3-1 in the Grand Final of the OMEN VCSA 2025 Ascension Qualifiers LAN, held at Ardee Mall in Gurugram. The team takes home ₹24.3 lakhs in prize money and will now represent India on the international VALORANT stage this October in Bangkok. S8UL, who made it to the finals through the lower bracket, finishes as runner-up and wins ₹12.15 lakhs.
“Been practicing and getting better as a team to achieve this one goal. It’s a really special one for us. This is step one, however, and it’s time to represent South Asia at VCT Ascension Pacific and make all of us proud!” said Adarsh Singh, Organization Manager, Velocity Gaming.
Road to the Finals
Before the final, S8UL faced DOT EXE Esports in the Lower Bracket Final and won 3-1, setting up the last match against Velocity Gaming. Velocity, who had stayed undefeated through the upper bracket, closed out the final in four maps to win the series.
Showmatch Brings Creators to the Fore
Fans at the venue also got to enjoy a creator showmatch on Day 2, featuring popular names like Sikhwarrior, Mackletv, Chhabra Saab, and Pooja Bisht. The match added a fun break between the competitions and gave the audience a chance to see their favorite creators play live.
“Big congratulations to Velocity Gaming for an outstanding performance against the best in the region. With OMEN VCSA, NODWIN Gaming, and Riot Games have worked to build a long-term, sustainable ecosystem for VALORANT in South Asia that gives top talent the stage they deserve. This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from our partners and the passion of the fans who showed up in full force. We’re proud to have played a part in pushing the VALORANT esports scene forward, and we’re excited to see Velocity Gaming carry that momentum onto the global stage.” said Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder & Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming.
“This tournament was a reflection of how far the VALORANT community in South Asia has come. The passion from fans, the level of competition, and the support behind these teams show that this region is ready for the global stage. At Riot, we’ve always believed in building player-first experiences, and it’s incredible to see that vision come to life through events like OMEN VCSA. We’re proud of every team that competed and excited to see Velocity Gaming carry the community’s hopes to Ascension.” added Sukamal Pegu, Esports Lead, South Asia, Riot Games.
OMEN VCSA 2025 Draws Record-Breaking Viewership
The OMEN VCSA 2025 Ascension Qualifiers witnessed an overwhelming response from fans across South Asia and beyond. With over 12 million views and more than 50,000 peak concurrent viewers across creator and official pages, the tournament emerged as one of the most-watched VALORANT events in the region this year.
With broadcasts in both Hindi and English, the event reached a diverse and passionate audience, underscoring the growing popularity of competitive VALORANT in South Asia.
What’s Next?
Velocity Gaming will now represent South Asia at the VCT Ascension Pacific 2025, scheduled to take place from October 13 to 26, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. The tournament will feature 10 elite teams from across the Asia-Pacific region, all competing for promotion to the VCT Pacific League 2026.
The post Velocity Gaming Clinches VCT Ascension Pacific Slot After Dominant LAN Finale Victory at OMEN VCSA 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP KICKS OFF WITH GROUP DRAW AHEAD OF ESPORTS WORLD CUP
- The PUBG MOBILE World Cup has returned, marking its second year as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh
- 24 teams from PUBG MOBILE Esports regional leagues have been placed into Groups Red, Yellow, and Green
- The Group Draw has determined the matchings for the Group Stage, where three groups will fight to secure their place in the Grand Finals or the Survival Stage
- This marks the first step in the biggest PUBG MOBILE Esports event of the summer, with each team aiming for the mighty $3,000,000 USD prize pool
PUBG MOBILE Esports is pleased to announce that the PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC) is back for a thrilling second edition, once again taking centre stage as part of the prestigious Esports World Cup in Riyadh. Its momentous return kicks off with the Group Draw, where 24 teams from across the globe have been split into three groups to go head-to-head in the Group Stage, from July 25th-27th, for a chance to move one step closer to glory in this year’s official mid-season tournament. With an impressive lineup and a mighty $3,000,000 USD prize pool on the line, only one team will rise to the occasion to take the 2025 PMWC title.
Debuting last year, the 2025 PMWC is the headline PUBG MOBILE Esports tournament of the summer, making its comeback this year as a key part of the Esports World Cup. PUBG MOBILE Esports returns to represent its larger commitment to growing the global mobile esports ecosystem. Raising the stakes even higher for this year’s competition, the dynamic SMASH ruleset has had a refresh. In the updated ruleset, a team must first reach the match point, defined by the top team’s score after Day 2 plus 10 points, then win a match to claim the 2025 PMWC Championship title. If no team does this in 18 matches, the team with the highest overall points wins the tournament.
The Group Draw not only shapes the first battles of the tournament but also sets the tone for the breakout performances to come. The 2025 PMWC Group Draw has followed a strategic format — the 24 elite teams have been seeded into five pools based on their regional qualification results, and drawn into three groups: Red, Green, and Yellow. Battling their way through the Group Stage, these three groups will consist of eight teams seeking the number one title at the Grand Finals this August.
Representing top talent from around the globe, the 24 teams have earned their spots through intense regional leagues such as the PUBG MOBILE Super League (PMSL), PUBG MOBILE Challengers League (PMCL), along with invites from all other regions. With the draw now concluded, all teams will advance beyond the Group Stage, with the top eight securing direct entry into the Grand Finals. The remaining 16 will battle through the Survival Stage for a second chance at a spot in the championship, making every match critical as teams fight to extend their 2025 PMWC journey.
Each group and their teams can be found below:
Group Red |
Group Yellow |
Group Green |
Team Falcons | Fire Flux Esports | IDA Esports |
Horaa Esports | Regnum Carya Esports | Alpha Gaming |
eArena | 4Thrives Esports | Alter Ego Ares |
POWR Esports | Team Secret | Gamax Esports |
Alpha7 Esports | Team Vision | INTENSE GAME |
Nongshim RedForce | INFLUENCE RAGE | KINOTROPE Gaming |
Weibo Gaming | DRX | TT Global |
Aryan & TMG Gaming | Yangon Galacticos | R8 Esports |
Key PMWC dates:
- Group Stage – 25th – 27th July
- Survival Stage – 29th – 30th July
- Grand Finals – 1st – 3rd August
For more information on the confirmed teams, schedule and where to watch, please visit the official PUBG MOBILE Esports channels on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post 2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP KICKS OFF WITH GROUP DRAW AHEAD OF ESPORTS WORLD CUP appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 7-13
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
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Apollo announced the completion of the previously announced acquisitions of International Game Technology PLC’s (doing business as Brightstar Lottery) Gaming & Digital Business and Everi Holdings Inc. (Everi) by a holding company owned by funds managed by Apollo affiliates (the Apollo Funds). The all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $6.3 billion, brings together complementary businesses to form a privately held global leader in gaming, digital and financial technology solutions. The two companies will be integrated into a combined enterprise in the coming months. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the combined enterprise will operate under the IGT name, while retaining the Everi brand in select markets and product lines.
Luckbet has announced Vitor Paulin as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), bringing his expertise in branding, digital marketing, data-driven strategies, performance, CRM and user experience optimisation to lead the brand’s positioning at a strategic moment for the betting sector in Brazil. With a consolidated track record in branding, strategy and communication, Paulin takes on the mission of boosting the company’s marketing initiatives, strengthening its presence in the market. Having worked for renowned companies such as Accenture, Ogilvy, Cadastra, Havas, Dentsu, Digitas, Serasa Experian, Escola Conquer and Grupo Aposta Ganha, Vitor has accumulated experience in leadership positions, including CMO and Chief Growth Officer.
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel has officially opened its newly expanded non-smoking gaming floor, marking a significant milestone in the property’s continued commitment to exceptional guest experiences. Located adjacent to the hotel lobby, the new, larger non-smoking slot floor will feature nearly 400 of today’s most popular slot machines in a fresh, modern environment designed exclusively for non-smoking guests. This addition enhances the casino’s dedication to providing smoke-free gaming options in a luxury setting. For convenience and ease of access, non-smoking guests can also take advantage of the smoke-free entrance via the hotel’s valet parking. This new space complements Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel’s existing fully enclosed, non-smoking slot area near Falls Buffet and Snoqualmie Café & Deli, offering guests even more choice and accessibility when it comes to their preferred gaming environment.
Partnerships
Hasbro has announced a new slate of multi-year licensing partnerships aimed at transforming and expanding its most popular brands across the casino category. After a comprehensive review and market evaluation, Hasbro has selected Aristocrat Technologies, Evolution, Galaxy Gaming, and Bally’s as its newest partners in casino licensing. The new partners join existing licensee Sciplay. The announcement underscores Hasbro’s “Playing to Win” strategy, revealed in February 2025, which focuses on innovation, partnerships, and bringing beloved brands to life across more formats than ever.
The Indiana Fever announced that one of the world’s leading online betting companies, bet365, is joining the team as its Official Sportsbook Partner for the 2025 season. Bet365 will step into the game with a lineup of fan-focused features that will be integrated across the Fever’s media and game day experience. As part of the partnership, bet365 will have a strong presence throughout the Fever season, including having a brand presence across Fever Radio Network broadcasts, team social content and the Fever mobile app.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 7-13 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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