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GUCCI AND FACEIT PRESENT GUCCI GAMING ACADEMY, DESIGNED TO EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION OF ESPORTS TALENT
The World Health Organization (WHO) to provide expertise and support on health topics
Gucci and FACEIT have joined forces to debut the Gucci Gaming Academy, the first initiative of its kind created by a luxury fashion brand, envisioned to empower young esports talents, while creating a healthier playing and competition environment. The development program has been designed to provide support and enhance soft skills – through dedicated coaching sessions and teamworking activities – and help the next generation of esports talent to navigate the increasing amount of mental and physical issues coming from the pressure of in-game performance and online scrutiny.
The Gucci Gaming Academy is kicking off with four CS:GO players who are already competing in the FACEIT Pro League (FPL), a competitive, moderated online league which has proven the springboard for the careers of some of esports’ most decorated pro players, with the intention of growing this number over time. Candidate selection will not only be based on in-game performance, but also on interviews to assess applicants’ personal values and soft skills, including their aptitude for teamwork and approach to conflict resolution. Players will be part of the Academy for up to one year, or until they are signed to a team, thus turning professional.
The Gucci Gaming Academy is filling a much-needed role in the future of the esports talent pipeline, facilitating the shift from amateur to pro in a similar vein to the academy programs seen in traditional sport.
Nicolas Oudinot, EVP New Business and Gucci VAULT CEO said “Gucci is at the forefront of the luxury industry’s foray into the world of gaming and as part of our mission to build meaningful relationships with communities in a genuinely authentic way, we are dedicated to supporting the up-and-coming generations of players to help manage the challenges they may face as a result of participating in esports. Understanding the issues that are relevant to them and learning about these from the people they affect are at the core of this collaboration.”
“We are proud to announce the launch of the Gucci Gaming Academy. Together, we identified a need to create a new initiative that would aid the development of new talent. The Academy will offer a clear path to pro structure connecting the dots between the FACEIT Pro League, education and well-being,” commented Co-Founder & CBO of FACEIT, Michele Attisani. “The physical and mental demands on players looking to compete at a professional level are high. Players have rigorous training schedules, compete in high-pressure tournaments and immense pressure from fans, so it’s important that new talent entering the space are equipped with the right support structure at an early stage in their development. Supporting and empowering young esports talent is at the core of FACEIT’s values and through our shared vision with Gucci, we hope the Academy helps equip the role models of tomorrow.”
The program comprises group and individual activities to improve the esports athletes’ skills, within and outside the spheres of their respective game titles, as well as additional benefits, such as:
- Group sessions facilitated by psychologists who specialise in esports from Mindwork; topics include “Performance under stress”, “How to deal with the spotlight”, “Teamwork” and more
- Individual sessions with specialised psychologists who will provide support for players as they pursue their competitive journeys
- Digital training plans designed specifically for each player, supplied via the Gucci Education platform
- Participation in community-driven experiences coordinated through the Gucci Changemakers Volunteering program
- Access through FACEIT to professional coaches who will provide training for improving in-game performance and offer practical strategies for how to compete professionally while maintaining a healthy mindset
- Virtual educational sessions teaching the basics of player contracts and personal branding.
- Top-of-the-line gaming PCs and monitors for optimal performance and personalised selection of computer electronic peripherals from Logitech G for high-level gameplay and to facilitate learning
- Access to the vast Gucci and FACEIT esports network for the players’ entire careers
Representing the values of the Gucci Gaming Academy are the ambassadors, commentator James Bardolph, Counter-Strike legend Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund and trailblazer for women in esports Stephanie “missharvey” Harvey. The ambassadors will also act as mentors to the academy players, having 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with each talent monthly.
Gucci Gaming Academy has been designed by Gucci and FACEIT alongside some of the world’s leading mental and physical health organizations and legal minds to ensure every element of the curriculum has been informed by experts.
Significantly, as part of the program, Gucci and FACEIT will also work with the World Health Organization to find ways to support all gamers involved to improve their gameplay while prioritising health and safety. This includes mental and physical health, fighting misinformation online, among other essential topics.
“We welcome efforts by Gucci and FACEIT to encourage their large online communities to take the necessary steps for better health and well-being,” said Andy Pattison, Team Lead of Digital Channels at the World Health Organization. “We need to continue to reach people with lifesaving health messages where they are, in the palms of their hands.”

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The Duo Returns: s1mple and electronic Reunite at BC.GAME Esports to Chase CS2 Glory
s1mple and electronic are back on the same team.
After years apart, the legendary duo is reunited—this time under the banner of BC.GAME Esports.
BC.GAME Esports has officially signed Denis “electronic” Sharipov. The 2021 CS Major champion and multiple-time HLTV Top player will now play alongside Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, who joined the organization earlier. Together, they form the core firepower duo of BC.GAME Esports’ CS2 roster.
“I am glad to announce that I am joining the BCGame Esports team. I am very happy to play together with S1mple again. Incredibly hungry and motivated to work like never before!”
The two previously spent six years together at Natus Vincere (NaVi), winning top-tier titles such as the PGL Major 2021, BLAST Premier Global Final, and IEM Cologne. Their synergy and clutch consistency earned them a place among the most iconic duos in Counter-Strike history.
In this new environment, electronic will not only serve as a key rifler but also contribute to the team’s broader content strategy—participating in match breakdowns, behind-the-scenes content, livestreams, and regional fan events.
According to BC.GAME Esports, another high-profile player signing is currently in the works, aiming to further strengthen the team’s competitive lineup.
BC.GAME Esports is the esports division of the global iGaming brand. As a platform operating in regulated markets, BC.GAME views esports as a long-term investment and an extension of its entertainment ecosystem. The organization sees its esports initiative as a bridge to connect with a younger, more engaged global audience.
Compared to traditional sports, esports content is more digitally native and easier to distribute across livestreams, short-form platforms, and bilingual formats. It also offers more flexibility and accessibility in reaching global players, creators, and fans. Unlike sports ecosystems built around rigid media rights, esports allows brands to take a more active role in content creation and community development.
About BC.GAME Esports
BC.GAME Esports is the competitive gaming arm of BC.GAME, a crypto-native entertainment platform. Launched in 2024, the team merges top-tier CS2 competition with blockchain-powered community engagement and digital content creation.
Contact
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Olivia Dixon
BC.GAME
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THE UAE LOTTERY CONFIRMS FIRST AED 100 MILLION GRAND PRIZE WINNER
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It’s official, The UAE Lottery’s first AED 100 Million Grand Prize has been won, and verification is now underway!
The UAE Lottery is delighted to confirm this historic milestone for our winner, our organization, and the UAE’s entertainment and gaming landscape.
As part of our standard operating procedures, we are conducting due diligence to ensure that all internal checks, security protocols, and General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority compliance requirements are fulfilled before further details on our winner are shared and the prize is awarded.
Responsible gaming, player safety, and operational transparency remain at the heart of everything we do. Safeguarding the integrity of our draws and maintaining the trust of all players continue to be our highest priorities.
We will share more details about the lucky winner once all verification steps have been finalized.
The post THE UAE LOTTERY CONFIRMS FIRST AED 100 MILLION GRAND PRIZE WINNER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ELA Games’ Buffalo Force Charges to Outstanding Results: 62% GGR Growth in Just 3 Weeks
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Stunning visuals and strong performance make Buffalo Force a standout success
ELA Games’ Buffalo Force has quickly risen to the top of performance charts, just three weeks after its release, showing strong player engagement metrics and turnover growth.
The Wild West-themed brand-new title blends visually rich artwork, dynamic gameplay, and immersive atmospheres to create engaging experiences for players and value for operators. The game showcases ELA Games’ rapid rise to become a leading game development studio, capable of pushing the boundaries of the gaming industry with its innovative solutions.
Inside the Data: How ELA’s Buffalo Force Instantly Soared
This month, Buffalo Force exceeded all plans and surpassed expectations across key performance metrics. The audience immediately embraced the product, with operators reporting positive responses from player bases. With the game’s momentum still building, even stronger results may be on the horizon.
Growth metrics during the first 3 weeks after release highlight Buffalo Force as one of the studio’s strongest titles to date. It showcases the game’s powerful retention appeal and the ability to deliver games that perform consistently across regions, captivating new audiences:
- Actives growth +26%
- Turnover +38%
- GGR total growth +62%
- Rounds count +29%
These results reflect a rise in overall player activity, indicating higher session frequency and more wagers placed. This shows that Buffalo Force has high replay value and is a game that encourages engagement.
[Video https://youtu.be/pBHPyi2vHlY]
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented, “Buffalo Force represents the progress our studio has made in understanding what players love and what operators need. What we see with the game’s instant success is a sign that our approach is working and that each new release will set the bar higher in terms of engagement, performance, and enjoyment.”
ELA Games’ Portfolio Continues to Expand
Buffalo Force’s success reflects ELA Games’ development approach, where each release enriches the studio’s portfolio, adding creative innovation, visually rich design, and operator value. Other recent additions, such as Shoot Happens or Rabbit Winpot Deluxe, reinforce this trend, creating a balanced catalogue with plenty of variety.
Joker Winpot is another standout title for ELA Games that has received widespread acclaim. It received key nominations by various institutions for its creativity and innovation, underscoring how ELA Games’ developments are recognised by peers and press alike. Buffalo Force positions itself as a key game for the studio that will contend for similar commercial success and industry recognition.
The post ELA Games’ Buffalo Force Charges to Outstanding Results: 62% GGR Growth in Just 3 Weeks appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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