Das Race has launched a completely new entertainment format, blending traditional RC racing with the virtual world. 

Taking place on a full-scale, real-world track in Los Angeles, and featuring racers from across the United States competing remotely, Season 1 of Das Race will premiere on Twitch on 12 September. Episodes will stream at 5 PM PT/8 ET until 17 October, sponsored by göt2b®.

The races will feature 12 competitors, including  Madden content creator ‘Bengal’, MLB content creator Marc Luino a.k.a. “Giraffeneckmarc”, Silky Nutmeg Ganache (a contestant from Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race), and Priyanka (Season 1 winner of Canada’s Drag Race). 

Das Race is the result of a collaboration between Berlin-based gaming and esports entertainment company Veritas Entertainment and Los Angeles-based creative experience agency Optimist Inc.. L.A.-based fabrication studio 60 Grit Studios, was also brought in to help bring the track to life. 

The project was initially inspired by the need for new entertainment formats when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Veritas was forced to postpone the grand opening of LVL – its state-of-the-art gaming and esports venue in Berlin. 

Discussing the project, CEO of iconmobile group and Veritas, Thomas Fellger, said:

“It’s amazing to see what can happen when you bring innovation to a new area of entertainment, and how the merging of physical and digital elements can result in an entirely new type of experience. The amount of excitement that has been generated through this initiative, especially among the Twitch community has been really inspiring to see.”

While CEO of Optimist Inc., Juergen Dold, added:

“We had our team in L.A. on the ground actually building out the racetrack, iconmobile’s teams in L.A. and Berlin programming the cars to work remotely, and Veritas’s team using its expertise in the gaming and esports industries to bring it all together. The fact that we were able to pull this off under those circumstances and in such a short time makes the premiere even more exciting.”

AYO.NEWS says:

No one would argue that the COVID-19 crisis has been a good thing, but Das Race illustrates perfectly that sometimes adversity leads to incredible innovation. Though sim racing is great, blending the elements of a real-world physical event with the benefits of remote play, could be a game changer. 

Staying with Veritas Entertainment, last month the company announced a partnership with in-game advertising platform Anzu. 

‘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

Online casino games distributor QTech Games has strengthened its cross-vertical spread through a deal with EsportsConstruct. 

The partnership makes EsportsConstruct’s full portfolio, including FIFA 2000, NBA 2K20, Tennis World Tour, and Mortal Kombat, available to QTech Games clients and their players in developing territories.

QTech Games and EsportsConstruct say they have collaborated to optimise the esports experience for traditional bettors with a raft of recognisable titles, whose format and betting markets scale in synergy with the head-to-head competition of ball sports or big fights. This approach is designed to help establish esports betting as a long-term vertical, rather than simply a short-term alternative.

Discussing the partnership QTech Games CCO, Ulf Norder, said:

“It’s rewarding to team up with EsportsConstruct, whose brand shares our own core values around premium content and innovation. Whatever the state of play, the QTech platform is committed to identifying player demand and delivering it, via a game lobby whose machine learning techniques speak straight to wide-ranging markets and varied player preference.

“Esports, virtuals and Augmented Reality represent the next frontier for igaming – and this period of adaptation is now fast-tracking that process for esports which is here to stay. QTech are again leading the way forward in growth markets with an array of breakthrough deals.”

While CCO of EsportsConstruct, Dan Gibas, added:

“As part of the wider entertainment industry, operators are learning to adapt their offerings to accommodate changing appetites.

“As strategies shift, our esports portfolio is winning the day, realising the vertical’s potential by either engaging dormant sports audiences or cross-selling casino players with an organic diversion of attention. QTech Games’ expansive platform was naturally the perfect vehicle with which to distribute our content across emerging markets, particularly on mobile.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Increasingly we’re seeing both suppliers and operators realise that iGaming needs to start seeing itself as part of a complex digital entertainment ecosystem, of which the combined video gaming/esports space is already the dominant part. Of course, this new reality was already forming before the COVID-19 crisis, but there’s no doubt it is acting as a catalyst for even faster change.

‘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

The Global Esports Federation (GEF) has established the International Federations Advisory Council (IFAC) and Publishers and Developers Advisory Council (PDAC). 

Following the successful launch of the #worldconnected initiative in partnership with Tencent Esports, at the recent 2020 Global Esports Summit in Hainan, China, the councils will provide expert advice to the GEF Board. 

Dr. Chungwon Choue, President of World Taekwondo, has been appointed Chair of the IFAC. In a statement he said:

“World Taekwondo is proud to be among the first International Federations to join the GEF in ushering the digital era for traditional sports. I am therefore honored to chair the IFAC and enhance the understanding among the International Federations about esports.

“The IFAC will help to strengthen the convening efforts of the GEF for the world’s dynamic esports community; deepening awareness on the power of technology in sport and our daily lives, as well as facilitating greater dialogue between International Federations and technology partners, creating new opportunities to extend real sport experience beyond reality.”

Along with members from international federations, the IFAC will also include senior representatives from the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft (GSIC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Refract – the GEF’s Global Partner for Interactive Technology. 

President, Global Esports Federation, Chris Chan, explained:

“The technological know-how to simulate real sport practice in a digital space now exists and the demand is well established and growing.

“Our daily lives are very much immersed in technology; and it will continue to play a vital role with the power to enhance physical sport and societal connections.  We look to convene this powerful community and facilitate real opportunities to develop, prosper and grow.”

The PDAC will be led by a rotational Chair from the Publisher community. Beyond advising the GEF Board, this Advisory Council will serve as conduit between the esports publishers and developers’ community, the GEF Board and its Member Federations.

Discussing the initiative Chairman of the Board of SEGA Group Co., Ltd., Hideki Okamura, said:

“The communication and cooperation between publishers and the member federations is imperative to create the conditions for the convergence of esports, virtual and traditional sport to thrive.

“The PDAC will be an added impetus to bridge the two worlds – esports and sport – and jointly develop avenues to advance the opportunities for esports.”

AYO.NEWS says:

While the goals of the GEF seem admirable, we can’t help but feel its approach is currently far too stuffy, corporate, and maybe a little too traditional sports-focused, to enable it to really connect with the global esports community. 

Just last week the GEF announced partnerships with the International Surfing Association, and World Archery. 

‘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

London Esports (LDN) has welcomed Alex Harris as part-owner and Head of Marketing.

Harris was Head of Marketing and Community Manager at Excel Esports, one of Britain’s largest esports franchises, where he played a pivotal role in helping grow the organisation from “a pair of bedrooms” to a world-class outfit with a state-of-the-art facility at the world famous Twickenham Rugby Stadium. 

More recently, Harris has worked as a freelancer with brands including Native Instruments, WFH League, and KFC Gaming. 

Commenting on the news CEO of London Esports, Alfie Wright, said:

“We have a lot planned over the upcoming months and Alex will be vital in a lot of our successes. I believe this shows our intent of growing as an organisation and with Alex’s wealth of experience we are definitely going in the right direction!”

While Harris himself added:

“I’ve always been a Londoner. I’ve lived here my whole life. I cannot wait to get my teeth stuck in and build something of my own with Alfie. There are so many huge leaps that we’re preparing to take as an organisation and I just can’t wait to bring something new to the table with London – things that we haven’t seen from any other esports organisation. This really is just the beginning.”

After letting go of its Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team during the summer, London Esports now fields teams in League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

We’ve got a London lad on the job.

Welcome @Aleex_Harris as our new Head of Marketing.

📝: https://t.co/dDwcNmbVjt pic.twitter.com/d30cMDkT3s

— London Esports (@LDN_Esports) September 9, 2020

AYO.NEWS says:

Harris has proven he knows how to take an organisation from a small operation to a major world-class organisation, so we’re sure he’s got big plans for London Esports, and can’t wait to see where things go. 

‘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

Ukrainian esports has received a significant boost, with the government officially recognising it as a competitive sport.

Following a concerted lobbying effort from the Ukrainian esports industry, including the Ukrainain Esports Federation (UESF), the Ukrainian Ministry for Youth and Sports has officially recognised esports as a competitive sport.

On 17 September, the Ukrainian Professional Esports Association (UPEA) will pitch a new five-year strategy aimed at growing the sector in the country. 

Commenting on the news Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Vadym Gutzayt, said:

“We cannot ignore this phenomenon because esports is developing very fast all over the world. Audience interest is growing every month as is the involvement of our population.

“We want our children, who are already at the computer most of the time, not to become addicted to gaming, but to be able to turn their hobby into an intellectual competition.”

Meanwhile, in the capital Kiev, Natus Vincere Founder, Oleksandr Kokhanovsky, and a group of IT professionals, have purchased the Dnipro Hotel for approximately €35m, and plan to turn it into the world’s first esports hotel, complete with training areas, an arena, and rooms and lounges specially designed for pro players. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Gaining official recognition from governments is a big deal in many countries, legitimising esports and enabling those in the sector to access certain benefits and programs. And, with esports witnessing unprecedented growth, we expect many more countries to follow suit over the coming months and years. 

‘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

Guild Esports has announced plans to launch an IPO on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) this Autumn.

The London-based esports organisation, which launched on 25 June 2020 and is part-owned by former footballer David Beckham, has enlisted Mirabaud Securities and Zeus Capital to serve as joint brokers and bookrunners for the IPO. 

If all goes according to plan, the listing of ordinary shares to the Standard Listing segment of the LSE, will raise £20m GBP to enable Guild Esports to expand into new titles, recruit 20 more players, and grow its brand. 

Approximately 40% of Guild’s shares will be made available in the listing – which equates to a company valuation of £50m – half of its original £100m target. The company has blamed market volatility due to the COVID-19 crisis, which has severely affected live esports events, for the reduced valuation.

Guild currently competes in EA SPORTS’ FIFA and Psyonix’s Rocket League, and is planning to enter Valve’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Epice Games’ Fortnite. 

Discussing the planned IPO, Executive Chairman of Guild Esports, Carleton Curtis, said:

“The growing global popularity of esports has enabled several existing franchises to monetise their activities through sponsorship, retail, merchandising, apparel & product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and tournaments. 

WGuild will be the first esports franchise to join the London stock market, which will provide us with the caché, credibility and capital to fulfil our ambition to become one of the world’s top ten esports franchises within three years.”

In August, Guild Esports announced it had appointed MediaCom Sports and Entertainment to plan and develop its commercial partnerships strategy. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Guild Esports isn’t hanging around! Going from launch to a public listing in just a few months, while at the same time trying to establish a foothold in several titles, is no mean feat. Though live esports have taken a knock due to COVID-19, we wouldn’t be surprised if the IPO smashes the revised target. 

‘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