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NODWIN Gaming and BLAST Triumphantly Conclude ‘The Draft’ with ‘shox’- Led Marcos Gaming Clinching Inaugural Title

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South Asia’s leading gaming and esports media company, NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with global esports entertainment company, BLAST celebrates the successful culmination of the region’s first legends-led  Counter-Strike tournament, ‘The Draft’. After an electrifying Super Six LAN final phase and a riveting BO5 grand final encounter against KennyS’ True Rippers Esports, Marcos Gaming, under the leadership of Counter-Strike icon Richard ‘shox’ Papillon, clinched a heart-stopping 3-2 victory, securing their place as the inaugural champions of ‘The Draft’.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and powered by energy drink partners Red Bull, the Super Six LAN final phase of ‘The Draft’ featured 6 of the best Counter-Strike teams from India and Pakistan, with  India’s True Rippers Esports and Marcos Gaming emerging as the grand finalists. Richard ‘shox’ Papillon of team Liquid, G2, Team Vitality fame, boasting a remarkable career tally of over a dozen global CS tournaments including 1 Major led Marcos Gaming across the finish line. Shox was also named the tournament MVP with 302 kills, 187 deaths, and an impressive ADR of 103 across 5 Super Six LAN phase matches.

Speaking on the recently concluded tournament, Gautam Virk Co-Founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming said, “We’re thrilled by the overwhelming success of ‘The Draft’ and the extraordinary display of Counter-Strike talent witnessed throughout the event. It’s been an exhilarating journey, witnessing the unwavering passion and dedication of gamers from the region. ‘The Draft’ embodies our unwavering commitment to not only elevate the esports ecosystem but also to nurture talent and cultivate a dynamic gaming community. The collaboration between NODWIN Gaming and BLAST has been a beacon of opportunity, providing emerging CS stars from the region with a platform to shine. Our heartiest congratulations to Marcos Gaming for their historic triumph as the inaugural champions of ‘The Draft’.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our esteemed partners at BLAST, the participating teams, esteemed legends, and everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success. Additionally, our heartfelt appreciation goes out to our passionate community whose steadfast support fuels our drive for excellence. As we conclude this remarkable chapter, we look forward to continuing our mission of pushing the boundaries of esports and creating more platforms for players to realize their full potential.”

Faye Marlborough, Director of Brand at BLAST, said: “The inaugural ‘The Draft’ has been a huge success and just goes to show the ever-growing passion and talent currently available in the South East Asia esports region. The event highlights the need for more opportunities for these underserved gaming regions and ‘The Draft’ provided exactly that with Counter-Strike legends joining them on a global platform where we saw the very best from each region – the skill, passion and dedication on display was incredible.”

Speaking on ‘The Draft’, Counter Strike legend and MVP of the tournament, Richard ‘shox’ Papillon said, “CS isn’t as well known in this region as it is in Europe or North America but being here to lend a hand feels really good. Sharing the passion for the game is key because, without that spotlight, it’s tough for players to progress. I’m just glad to be part of that journey. Every kid deserves a shot at making their dreams come true, no matter where they’re from. And I’m looking forward to meeting some fans, I hope there are some fans in the teams here that we can meet and interact with. It’s not often they get the chance to meet us, so being in this smaller intimate setting gives us a chance to connect – different people, different cultures, and different countries. It’s what makes this whole experience so special.”

The tournament started with 64 teams each from India and Pakistan vying for a spot in the group stages to join the 4 invited teams in the India group stage and 1 invited team in the Pakistan group stage. From the group stages  True Rippers Esports, Marcos Gaming, and Gods Reign represented India at the Super Six LAN phase while Pakistan was represented by Pak Boyz, Team Wah Wah, and Com Mid. Counter-Strike legends Adam ‘friberg’ Friberg, Ladislav ‘GuardiaN’ Kovacs, Richard ‘shox’ Papillon, Olof ‘olofmeister’ Gustafsson, Christopher ‘GeT_RiGhT’ Alesund, and Kenny ‘kennyS’ Schrub were drafted in to lead and mentor the teams, further elevating the tournament’s intensity and prestige.

‘The Draft’ stands as a testament to the joint commitment of NODWIN Gaming and BLAST to enable the Counter-Strike ecosystem in the region and provide a platform for emerging CS talents to showcase their esports prowess on the world stage while playing alongside some of the brightest and legendary names to have ever played the game.

The collaboration between South Asia’s leading esports and gaming media company NODWIN Gaming and global esports giant BLAST underscores a collective initiative to enhance and elevate the overall esports landscape within South Asia.

 

About BLAST

We’re on a mission to take esports to the next level of global entertainment. We excite and invite billions of fans to join the esports revolution. We create live and digital experiences – from tournaments that pack out major arenas around the world to great content that’s guaranteed to blow your socks off.

We work with some of the world’s best game publishers and brands to elevate their properties into amazing esports experiences – having delivered tournaments, content and shows in a variety of games, including: Counter-Strike, Rainbow Six Siege, DOTA 2, VALORANT, Apex Legends, FIFA 2022 and Fortnite.

BLAST Premier is a worldwide Counter-Strike tournament series where the best teams and biggest superstars fight it out for glory and a multi-million dollar prize pool. Famous for its unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments. Attracting tens-of-thousands of fans to our crazy-big-adrenaline-pumped live events in big arenas from London and Copenhagen to Miami and Sao Paulo, with millions more watching at home on our broadcast tuning in from more than 154 territories and in 25 different languages.

 

About NODWIN Gaming

NODWIN Gaming, a material and independent subsidiary of Nazara Technologies Ltd. (BSE: NAZARA), holds a significant position in the global gaming and esports industry as a leader in emerging markets. NODWIN Gaming is valued at $349 million as of 2023. Since its inception in 2014 by Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN has established a global presence in regions such as South Asia, Singapore, the Middle East, and Turkey. The company’s business centers around building and monetising gaming and esports IPs such as Leagues, Tournaments, Reality shows. It engages with professional esports athletes, teams and content creators. Notable investors include Nazara, KRAFTON Inc, Sony Group Corporation and JetSynthesys

A key focus for NODWIN Gaming is the expertise in the mobile gaming and esports sector, where it has established a dominant position worldwide. By catering to the youth demographic, NODWIN is expanding its Total Addressable Market (TAM) by becoming increasingly relevant in the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape. Their diverse range of intellectual properties that engages the youth spans esports, gaming, pop culture, music, and comedy. This strategic expansion and cultivation of new intellectual properties are crucial to NODWIN’s aim of maintaining a significant role in the global gaming esports arena.

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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Esports World Cup 2025 Unveils Official Song of the Year and Full Opening Ceremony Line-up

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Til My Fingers Bleed” featuring DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith to debut live alongside Post Malone, Alesso, and Tina Guo at the Opening Ceremony in Riyadh on 10 July

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the release of “Til My Fingers Bleed”, the official Song of the Year for Esports World Cup 2025, alongside the full artist line-up for the tournament’s Opening Ceremony. Taking place on 10 July in Riyadh, the ceremony will feature live performances from DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of The Word Alive, as well as GRAMMY-nominated producer and electronic music sensation Alesso, virtuoso cellist Tina Guo, and global music icon Post Malone, who headlines the event.

“Til My Fingers Bleed” is a high-energy, cross-genre collaboration that fuses K-pop, hip-hop, and rock, capturing the emotion, ambition, and global spirit of the world’s largest esports event. DINO, genre-blending rapper Duckwrth, and metalcore frontman Telle Smith each bring deep ties to gaming culture, from major esports performances to in-game collaborations.

Their live debut of the track will help open a seven-week tournament that is redefining the role of gaming in mainstream culture. The song was written and produced by Alex Karlsson and T.Ma, known for their work with BTS, G.E.M. and ATEEZ, along with Jared Lee (Duckwrth), who wrote the track’s rap verse.

“At its heart, the Esports World Cup is a global celebration of community – where gaming, creativity, and culture converge on the world’s biggest stage,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “EWC Music, our official song, and the Opening Ceremony help define the identity of the tournament. They reflect the spirit of shared passion and the connective power of music and esports, setting the tone for an unforgettable summer and celebrating how music can elevate competition and deepen fans’ emotional connection to the sport.”

Of the exciting new track, Telle Smith of The Word Alive commented ‘Gaming has been a part of my life for as long as music has, so getting to bring a genre bending song to a global stage like this feels surreal. I’m honored to share the moment in Riyadh with Duckwrth and Dino, I think fans all over the world will love “Til My Fingers Bleed”’.

“From day one, the Esports World Cup has been created as a global stage for gaming culture across all genres.”, said Ariel Horn, Executive Producer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Each artist on ‘Til My Fingers Bleed’ brings a unique sound that connects with players, whether they’re into sports, fighting, or action games. We’re excited to see how players and fans pick this track up around the world and hope they will embrace it.”

Viranda Tantula, Executive Creative Director, EWC Music, added: “Music is a universal language, and this is something it shares with gaming. What inspires us at this intersection of music and esports is the opportunity to shape new sounds for a truly global audience. We’ve always been drawn to creative experimentation, and with “Til My Fingers Bleed’, we wanted the collision of genres and international artists to reflect the same global mix of games and players that defines the Esports World Cup. The whole team has poured their hearts into this project, and we hope the community,  k-pop, hip-hop, and rock fans feel the energy in both the track and the show.”

Now available across all major streaming platforms, the song is accompanied by a cinematic visualiser on YouTube, and will be featured throughout EWC broadcasts, social content, and live performances throughout the seven-week event.

The release follows “Ascension (Alesso Remix)”, a reimagining of the Esports World Cup’s orchestral theme by Alesso, featuring acclaimed cellist Tina Guo. Both tracks are part of EWC Music, a long-term initiative launched in April 2025 to develop an original music identity for the tournament. The programme began with the recording of a four-track suite at Abbey Road Studios by award-winning composers 2WEI and Hollywood Scoring, and continues with global artist collaborations and live performances.

Through original scores, artist-led tracks, and live performances, EWC Music aims to elevate every moment of the Esports World Cup – from broadcast highlights to trophy lifts and stadium shows.

The Esports World Cup 2025 Opening Ceremony will be headlined by Post Malone. A nine-times diamond-certified artist and lifelong gamer, he has deep ties to the esports world – from streaming Warzone and PUBG to collaborating on in-game events, including his recent Apex Legends crossover. His exclusive performance at EWC 2025 will blend chart-topping sound with a tribute to gaming culture on the world’s biggest esports stage.

The official Song of the Year artists also bring strong music ties to gaming: Duckwrth’s “Start a Riot” featured on the Spider-Verse soundtrack, while The Word Alive’s “RISE” was the 2018 League of Legends Worlds anthem, now streamed over 300 million times.

The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite the global esports community in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries. Players will compete in 25 tournaments across 24 titles for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool – the largest in esports history.

Tickets, including access to the Opening Ceremony, are now available at esportsworldcup.com.

To learn more about the Esports World Cup, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn. Esports World Cup: Level Up, the five-part documentary directed by Emmy Award-winner R.J. Cutler, is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video.

The post Esports World Cup 2025 Unveils Official Song of the Year and Full Opening Ceremony Line-up appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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LGUs, state university get Php20-M emergency vehicles from PAGCOR

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation on Thursday, June 26, turned over ten Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) worth Php20 million to several local government units and a state university to enhance their emergency medical services.

During the turnover ceremony at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City, six PTVs were awarded to the municipalities of Palanan, Quezon, San Isidro, Cabagan, San Mariano, and San Pablo, all in Isabela province.

The City of Parañaque, the municipalities of Tanauan in Batangas and Balabac in Palawan as well as the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte also received one PTV unit each.

Each vehicle is fitted with a GPS navigation system and essential medical equipment such as an ambulance stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, and first aid kit.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco joins officials from nine local government units and the Mariano Marcos State University for a photo opportunity during the turnover of 10 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) last June 26, 2025.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the PTV distribution is part of the agency’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and to enhance access to medical services especially in geographically isolated communities.

“We want to ensure that even remote areas have the means to respond to medical emergencies. This is part of PAGCOR’s commitment to reach communities that need government support the most,” Mr. Tengco said.

“‘Yan po ang hangad ng PAGCOR; salamat sa pagkakataong makatulong at makapaglingkod sa inyo,” Mr. Tengco told the PTV recipients during the turnover event.

PAGCOR Vice President for the Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor (2nd from left) and Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Services Eric Balcos (far left) hand over the ceremonial vehicle key to Atty. Christopher A. Mamauag (3rd from left), Mayor of Cabagan, Isabela.

Mayor Christopher A. Mamauag of Cabagan, Isabela – a town where travel to tertiary hospitals takes several hours – expressed gratitude for the assistance and said the vehicle will significantly boost the town’s emergency response capabilities.

“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at sa PAGCOR, sa pamumuno ni Chairman Alejandro Tengco, sa pagpapaunlak sa aming kahilingan na magkaroon ng Patient Transport Vehicle para sa aming mga kababayan sa bayan ng Cabagan.

“Malaking tulong po ito at gagamitin namin ito ng wasto,” he said.

Each patient transport vehicle donated by PAGCOR is equipped with a GPS navigation system, an ambulance stretcher with mounted restraining system, medical oxygen, a wheelchair, and a first aid kit.

 

The post LGUs, state university get Php20-M emergency vehicles from PAGCOR appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Evolution Launches First Live Casino Studio in the Philippines

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Evolution has announced that its first-ever live casino studio in Asia went live today.

Located in Cebu, the Philippines, the studio marks a significant milestone in Evolution’s Asia-Pacific expansion and serves the regulated Philippine online gaming market, which is the first licensed iGaming jurisdiction in Asia.

The new operation launches in partnership with  One Visaya Gaming Corporation (OVG), an industry leading company which operates with strict adherence to PAGCOR’S (Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation) code of conduct. This collaboration allows Evolution to offer its trusted live casino content to operators licensed in the Philippines.

Evolution’s state-of-the-art live casino studio in Cebu will initially offer Baccarat tables. Lightning Roulette and other game shows — including Marble Race and the standout Super Color Game, designed especially for players in the Philippines — are due to launch later this year. This new studio marks a major step in Evolution’s commitment to delivering localised, fully compliant entertainment tailored to regional markets.

Gionata La Torre, Evolution’s Chief Executive Officer for Europe, said: “We’re proud to launch our first live casino studio in Asia in the Philippines and be part of its regulated online gaming market. This new studio is a major milestone in our long-term commitment to the region. Partnering with OVG allows us to deliver world-class live content tailored to local preferences through licensed operators.”

La Torre added: “With player favourites available from day one and more exciting titles on the way, our focus remains on quality, innovation, and localisation — the keys to building trust and lasting engagement in any market.”

For trade press and media enquiries, please contact:
Amy Riches, Head of Marketing, [email protected]

For investor enquiries, please contact:
Carl Linton, Head of Investor Relations, [email protected]

 

The post Evolution Launches First Live Casino Studio in the Philippines appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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