Riot Games and Cisco have announced a new multi-year partnership covering League of Legends Esports. 

The deal makes Cisco the ‘official enterprise networking partner of League of Legends Esports,’ and will see the networking hardware, software and telecommunications company help Riot to improve the networking performance of League of Legends esports. 

Initiatives will include building out infrastructure, upgrading server and other hardware, improving managing network capabilities across the five continents covered by LoL esports, and supplying server hardware to support the League of Legends World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and The All-Star Event.

With Cisco technology implemented in ‘The Realm’, Riot and Cisco say they are aiming to help pro players compete on Summoner’s Rift at sub-1ms ping – which would mean near instantaneous reaction times. In all, the new Cisco servers are expected to improve network performance by 200% for the 2020 Worlds. 

Commenting on the partnership Esports Tech Lead at Riot Games, Scott Adametz, said:

“As a sport completely reliant on technology, it is essential that League of Legends runs on a trusted and reliable network. With Cisco as a partner, we now are able to build and expand the infrastructure necessary to deliver the best esports experience possible for fans and professional players all over the world.”

While Director of Global Sports Marketing at Cisco, Brian Eaton, added:

“Our partnership with Riot Games brings together the leaders in esports and networking to offer the best possible connected experience for the players and millions of fans around the world.

“Cisco is committed to redesigning the internet for the future, and esports has a big impact on that goal. With more people online than ever before for work and entertainment, it is critical to have a highly secure, flexible infrastructure in place to help ensure the visual quality and speed that will be required in the future.”

Cisco will also be supplying “flexible architecture” for Riot Games’ twelve regional broadcast centres. Cisco’s new Intersight software as a service (SaaS) solution will also be used to manage the 200+ new tournament game servers being deployed to regional studios. The upgrades should deliver improved performance and reduced latency for regional professional gameplay. 

Plus, the company will be helping Riot Games with object storage, content distribution, media processing, and global content archives via its Storage Optimized Computing Solutions – more than tripling the among of usable storage and capacity available.

AYO.NEWS says:

This partnership, and the upgrades it promises are sure to be welcomed by everyone involved in LoL esports. After all, in the fast-paced world of global professional esports, a millisecond delay can make the difference between victory and defeat, and latency can be a real issue with real repercussions for players and teams. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Recently launched esports organisation XSET has agreed a two-year deal with lifestyle sports nutrition brand GHOST. 

GHOST will be XSET’s exclusive partner for protein, gaming and performance supplements and ready-to-drink beverages, and will be supplying XSET’s roster of streamers, athletes, and esports teams with GHOST products. 

Additionally, GHOST will also be a featured jersey sponsor of XSET’s multiple esports teams, and the partnership will include development of a limited edition XSET flavour, shaker, merchandise line, and soon-to-be-released content series. 

Finally, GHOST will be an official sponsor for XSET’s Esports Series events. 

Regarding the partnership XSET COO and co-founder, Marco Mereu, said:

“XSET is excited to be GHOST’s first official partnership in esports and their entré into gaming culture. Their brand and mission aligns perfectly with XSET’s movement for change in creative expression, diversity, and inclusion. We’re excited to see what we can build together for our collective audiences around the world.”

While GHOST CMO and co-founder, Ryan Hughes, added:

“As lifelong gamers, we’ve been searching for the right organization and partner to enter esports in a thoughtful and meaningful way. That organization is XSET. Through authenticity and a shared drive to challenge the status quo, this partnership helps pave the way for a new era in gaming and we’re excited to be a part of it.

“This is bigger than supplements and gaming. This partnership encompasses what we’re all about; it’s sports, it’s music, it’s culture…it’s an experience.”

AYO.NEWS says:

XSET is firmly positioning itself as a force for change and social justice, so it is going to have to be extremely careful with the commercial partnerships it enters into (just ask Riot Games or BLAST about that one!), but the GHOST deal seems to make sense, with both companies aligned when it comes to social stances. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Spanish esports organisation Team Heretics is set to launch a fan token on fan engagement platform Socios.com. 

Team Heretics has partnered with Malta-based blockchain and tokenisation company Chiliz, to launch a fan token on its Socios.com platform. By purchasing tokens, fans gain the right to vote on certain team decisions and earn exclusive digital and real-world rewards and benefits. 

The Team Heretics fan token is set to launch on 25 August, with 125,000 being made available at €2 each in an initial offering running to 27 August. In total 5 million Team Heretics tokens will be created. 

Commenting on the news CEO & Founder of Chiliz, Alexandre Dreyfus, said:

“Team Heretics want to give their fans as big a say in the life of the team as possible, which makes them the perfect partner for us – we’re delighted to welcome them aboard.

“Heretics fans can now enjoy a much stronger relationship with the team. The first poll – which will give 6 Fan Token holders the chance to play Fortnite alongside Heretics players and win some amazing prizes from Logitech – is a great way to start!”

While Commercial Director of Team Heretics, Pablo Canosa, added:

“It’s essential to us that our fans are involved as much as possible with the organisation. Now – thanks to Socios.com – our fans can have a real voice and the opportunity to vote in important team matters. 

“Not only this, but fans can also look forward to exclusive rewards and experiences too. Stay tuned to Heretics & Socios.com via social media in the coming weeks. It’s time to decide the future of Team Heretics – together!”

The only other esports organisation using Socios.com right now is OG, but several major European football clubs are already signed-up, including FC Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico de Madrid, AS Roma, Galatasaray, and a partnership was recently announced with UFC. 

Team Heretics competes in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, and Rainbow Six, and has commercial partnerships with adidas, Babybel, Font Vella, G FUEL, KFC, Logitech G, noblechairs, Philips OneBlade, San Miguel, Ultimate Ears, and UNICEF. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With so many things competing for fan’s attention, cultivating sustainable engagement is more important than ever, and there’s no better way to do it than giving fans a ‘stake’ in their favourite organisations and clubs. Chiliz and Socios.com have proven themselves handling major football club tokens, so we’re sure the Team Heretics launch will go smoothly. 

Staying with Chiliz and Socios.com, earlier this week the company announced it was launching a Visa debit card, offering fans the chance to earn even more rewards. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

ReKTGlobal, parent company of Rogue and London Royal Ravens, has acquired Fearless Media.

Founded in 2009 by Cara Scharf, New York-based Fearless Media is a full service data-driven media agency specialising in the entertainment, gaming, consumer electronics, and technology verticals. 

The agency has created advertising campaigns in collaboration with some of the world’s biggest consumer brands including PSYONIX, Valve, Turtle Beach, Bethesda, Epic Games, THQ Nordic, Redbox, GuitarWorld, and LessonFace. 

Discussing the news CEO of ReKTGlobal, Dave Bialek, said:

“ReKTGlobal’s acquisition of Fearless Media is unlike any other in the esports industry. It allows us to fully support the growing demand for advertising and marketing solutions to the gaming and esports community, as we continue to build our industry leading esports marketing portfolio.”

Fearless Media’s founder, Cara Scharf, has won several awards in recent years, including Acquisitions International’s Most Innovative Marketing Business Leader in 2019, Creative Women in Marketing by Aspioneer in 2019, and Top NY Woman in Business by Oprah Magazine & Entrepreneur in 2018. Fearless Media was also named one of Clutch’s Top New York Marketing & Advertising Agencies in the US in 2018. 

Regarding the acquisition, Scharf, said:

“We pride ourselves on bringing next level digital marketing solutions to our clients across a multitude of industries. Now through ReKTGlobal, we have the opportunity for cross-pollination across all of our amazing brand partners.”

In 2019, ReKTGlobal acquired New Jersey-based Greenlit Content, a hybrid company behind some of gaming’s most popular sites, including TwinGalaxies.com, Shacknews.com, GameDaily.Biz, and PrimaGames.com. 

The company creates viral branded gaming content, events, and activations, in collaboration with well-known consumer companies including Xbox, HyperX, Chips Ahoy!, Warner Bros., NBC Sports, State Farm, Turtle Beach, and Redbox, and now reaches up to 100 million gamers monthly. 

CEO and Co-Founder of Greenlit Content, John Benyamine, commented:

“We’re excited to welcome Fearless Media to the ReKTGlobal network. With the backing of ReKTGlobal, we have continued to grow our esports audience, and with Fearless Media coming aboard, we’ll have the ability to connect with an even wider audience to drive integrated marketing solutions across social and traditional media on a global level.”

AYO.NEWS says:

With investors ranging from tennis prodigy Taylor Fritz, and NFL All-Pro safety Landon Collins, to DJ Nicky Romero, Steve Aoki, and Imagine Dragons on board, top-tier esports teams under its ownership, and a growing portfolio of media and content businesses, ReKTGlobal’s capabilities and reach is already vast, and growing daily. 

The acquisition of an award-winning agency like Fearless Media makes a lot of sense, opening up many opportunities for cross pollination, and significant synergies. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Codemasters and Motorsport Games have announced the second season of the DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series will begin on 25 August when live qualification rounds go live in-game.

The season is scheduled to culminate in a live showpiece final at the Autosport International Show at the Birmingham NEC on 16 January 2021, when 12 drivers will race for a share of a $20,000 USD prize pool – double that of the inaugural season.

Additionally, the winner of the rallycross championship will get to test drive the QEV electric rallycross car that will be powering the new FIA eRX2 Championship. 

The DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series follows the success of the first season alongside the World RX Esports Series which attracted over 1.24 million live views. The coming World Series will once again have separate championships for rally and rallycross, each with its own $10K prize pool. 

Discussing the series Game Director of DiRT Rally 2.0 at Codemasters, Ross Gowing, said:

“The DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series surpassed our expectations. We knew there was an appetite, but we didn’t expect the vast level of participation and engagement.  Now we get to do it all over again with a bigger event and even more prize money. We are also delighted to reward players with the in-game Ford Fiesta R5 and hope this is an added incentive for players of all levels to get involved.”

While Project Manager for the new FIA eRX2 Championship, Pere Gonzalez, added:

“We are very excited to be partnering with Codemasters and Motorsport Games for the forthcoming DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series. The interest in esports has exploded in recent months, in particular amongst younger participants and fans, and we see a lot of synergies between this demographic and the new FIA eRX2 Championship, which is right at the forefront of rallycross’ electrification. 

“We have witnessed in other disciplines how gamers have the potential and ability to transition into real-life racers, and we look forward to following the competition’s second season as it unfolds and to helping the eventual winner to put their skills to the test in real life.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Despite the resumption of many live sports, including motorsports, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis still presents the threat of more disruption, and sim racing is seeing the explosive growth catalysed by the lockdowns continue. So, the second season of the DiRT Rally World Series looks set to prove extremely popular. 

We do, however, feel organisers are being a little optimistic in assuming the Autosport International Show will be going ahead at the NEC in January 2021! 

Staying with Motorsport Games, last month the company revealed it had secured a multi-year license to create the official video game and associated esport for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Isle of Man-based esports betting site Luckbox has launched its biggest ever bonus in time for ESL One Cologne. 

Pulling out all the stops in celebration of the flagship CS:GO tournament, which starts today and runs through 30 August, new and existing Luckbox customers can get a 200% boost on their next deposit. 

In addition to providing competitive odds for a host of markets on every match, Luckbox is offering live streams, stats, and rosters, and fans can enjoy in-play and pre-match betting, on mobile or desktop. 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year ESL One Cologne is being played entirely online in four regional divisions. The tournament features some of the world’s leading Counter-Strike: Global Offensive teams, including Team Liquid, Astralis, Vitality, Na’Vi, FURIA, and Evil Geniuses. 

Commenting on the news Director of sportsbook at Luckbox, Metodi Zaburtov, said:

“ESL One Cologne promises to be an amazing event for CS:GO fans to enjoy and we are doing our best to make it even better with the biggest bonus we have ever given away.

“Our typical welcome offer is 100%, which is very generous, but throughout ESL One Cologne, we are doubling the bonus.

“We hope our existing players plus some new players will use the bonus to give Luckbox a try – we are sure they will like what they see as we have an unparalleled CS:GO betting experience.”

Luckbox’s Cologne bonus is available now. Players can receive up to a maximum of €200. Maximum winnings and wagering requirements apply. Players must be 18 and in an eligible country to open an account with Luckbox.

Luckbox gives fans the chance to bet on a host of CS:GO markets, including match winner, correct score, total maps, map advantage and total rounds.

Luckbox is fully regulated and licenced and offers several deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller as well as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

AYO.NEWS says:

Many fans will be disappointed that this year’s ESL One Cologne is an entirely online affair, so it’s great to see Luckbox helping cheer them up with its most generous offer yet. 

Want to find out more about what makes Luckbox a leader in esports betting, and hear what they’ve got planned for the future? Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Luckbox’s CEO, Quentin Martin. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020