In-app game app and mod creation and monetisation platform Overwolf has launched the beta version of its new CurseForge app.

The app is set to replace the mod tab in the Twitch client, and will help gamers and mod authors to manage mods and addons for supported games, starting with World of Warcraft. 

As previously reported, Overwolf acquired CurseForge from Twitch in the summer, with the aim of empowering mod authors to create better experiences, and help them earn a living from their creations. At the time, Overwolf had more than 30K creators and a library of more than 90K game mods and apps. 

Built on the Overwolf framework, the dedicated new app is available for Windows (with a Mac client to be launched on 17 November), and is launching ahead of the WoW Shadowlands expansion, giving gamers the chance to download addons before release. 

Discussing the news Overwolf CEO and Co-founder, Uri Marchand, said:

“We’re building our roadmap by listening to community suggestions on which features the players and mod authors would like to see in the new home for CurseForge. Essentially, we are giving the community the keys to shape the future of CurseForge.

“Overwolf is focused on empowering mod authors with tools and services to build, share and monetize their amazing gaming creations with gamers. As part of our mission to put in-game creators first, we are fully committed to paying CurseForge mod authors 50% more by 2022, compared to what they’re making today.”

While creator Mythic Dungeon Tools, one of the leading WoW addons with over 10M downloads, Nnoggie, added:

“CurseForge has always been the place where players could get the most up to date version of Mythic Dungeon Tools (MDT) and countless other great addons. Overwolf has reached out to the addon community to ask for feedback and ideas for potential new features to ensure that the development of the CurseForge platform benefits everyone including addon authors, but also the players. 

“A lot of changes have been made based on feedback and suggestions to improve the overall experience of the platform, and I am really excited to see what’s in store for CurseForge in the coming months.”

Support for Minecraft and other games should be added on 17 November 2020, and the Twitch client will be withdrawn from 30 November – from which point all exploration, updating, and downloading of mods and addons will be through the new CurseForge app and website.

Israel-based Overwolf now has a team of over 70 developers, product managers, designers, techies, and geeks, working to support gaming app developers and mod authors. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Though the modding scene was already evolving into an industry in its own right, the hard work and investment being put in by Overwolf is helping to create an infrastructure that will catalyse things further, constantly adding depth and value to games – which can only benefit modders, gamers, plus the original game developers and publishers. 

‘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.

ONE Esports has teamed up with Chinese game developer Moonton, to create the Mobile Legends Professional League Invitational (MPLI). 

The event will feature 20 teams from across Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Singapore, to fight it out on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang to win a share of a $100K prize pool. The tournament will be livestreamed in five languages; Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Burmese, English, and Filipino. 

Discussing the news CEO of ONE Esports, Carlos Alimurung, said:

“I’m proud of how the ONE Esports and Moonton relationship has blossomed to now include this unique competition, which, for the first time, will enable the best teams from each of the four Mobile Legends Professional Leagues to compete in an online tournament.”

While Moonton Esports Managing Director, Lucas Mao, added:

“The MPL Invitational is an event that can give the opportunity for our teams from different MPL countries to play in a professional setting so as to gauge each region’s level of play against one another.”

And, Minister of Tourism & Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Wishnutama Kusubandio, noted:

“I highly appreciate and support ONE Esports’ 2020 Mobile Legends Professional League Invitational as a virtual sports tourism event that will create compelling and engaging travel experience content to encourage domestic tourism travel in Indonesia, while adhering to health protocols.”

ONE Esports is the esports division of sports media company ONE Championship.

Moonton was founded in 2014, and has since developed three popular titles; Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Mobile Legends: Adventure, and Magic Rush. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The mobile esports ecosystem in Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing and most exciting in the world, so it’s great to see ONE Esports and Moonton create more opportunities for teams from the region. 

‘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 Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is backing an initiative by esports organisation LDN UTD, aimed at tackling youth unemployment. 

Through the new LDN UTD Inter-Borough Esports Championships, young Londoners will be given the opportunity to compete against each other in FIFA 21 or NBA 2K. The tournaments will be streamed on Twitch and hosted by Rambo, founding member of LDN UTD’s Social Impact Thinktank and lead FIFA content creator. 

Youngsters in Hackney, Kingston, Lambeth, and Lewisham, will also get the chance to attend various digital workshops, hosted in partnership with Staffordshire University London – one of the first schools offering a specialised esports degree – the University of Salford, and the University of East London. The workshops will focus on subjects including video editing, social media management, and graphics design. 

Special guests, including FaZe Clan’s FIFA star Tassel ‘Tass’ Rushan will also be making appearances, and some lucky attendees will get the opportunity to intern for LDN UTD. 

Discussing the initiative Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“The growth of esports over the past 12 months has been considerable. The industry is generating millions of pounds for our economy, as well as creating much-needed jobs for our community, particularly here in London. With that growth comes a level of responsibility, and I am proud that my Sport Unites programme is able to help fund LDN UTD, an organisation who are using their platform and the power of esports.”

While Founder and CEO of LDN UTD, Oliver Weingarten, said:

“The broader perception of esports is often focused around the very best individuals or teams competing in global tournaments—but in reality, there are lots of other roles that play a vital part in creating this hyper-modern entertainment form and we’re hoping to shine a light on that over the coming months.

“As the epicenter of the UK’s esports industry, we want to encourage young people from across London that this isn’t just something you do at home with your friends, it really is a viable career option.”

LDN UTD currently fields teams in League of Legends and Dota 2, and has commercial partnerships with Razer, HyperX, Logitech G, ESL, Chipotle, Low Cost Glasses, 1080 Media TV, and Bio Synergy. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With the UK and other countries facing many years of economic hardship thanks to the insane actions of politicians, including Sadiq Khan, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s perhaps a little grating that the Mayor is involved with this otherwise extremely positive initiative. 

So, kudos to LDN UTD and everyone else involved in this project – we’re sure it will be the spark that leads to many exciting careers. 

‘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.

English Premier League football club Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) has entered the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS). 

Wolves already fields rosters in FIFA 21, FIFA Online 4, PUBG, Identity V, and Pop Kart Racing, and is the first Premier League club to enter the RLCS. 

Discussing the news Wolves General Manager for Marketing and Commercial Growth, Russell Jones, said:

“Gaming and esports remain a crucial part of our brand growth strategy and signing such talented and ambitious players to represent our Rocket League esports team is another step forward in our journey to build stories outside of football and widen the appeal of the Wolves brand across the world.

“We have spent the last six months scouting teams and players and are delighted to welcome Rix, Luis and Ole, who will become Wolves Esports for the remainder of the current RLCS season X and beyond. We will be offering the team our full support as they compete in the winter split.

“I’d also like to thank the University of Wolverhampton who continue to be an exceptionally supportive partner of the Wolves Esports programme.”

While Team Captain of Wolves Esports Rocket League, Rix Ronday, added:

“It is a real honour to captain the first-ever Wolves Esports Rocket League team. I’m confident that we have recruited two of Rocket League’s most exciting talents in Ole and Luis and we are working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the RLCSX Winter Split kick-off.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Wolves have already demonstrated their enthusiasm for esports, using it to strengthen what is now a powerful global brand – for example, way back in February 2019, it became the first Premier League club to enter Chinese esports, through a partnership with Weibo eSports Club.

And, given the very real possibility of COVID-19 causing further disruption to football, diversifying the brand into multiple esports seems like a smart way to ensure fan engagement can continue, come what may.

‘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.

Krafton Inc., owner of PUBG Corporation, has hired Mirae Asset Daewoo to lead its initial public offering (IPO), scheduled for 2021. 

In addition to PUBG Corp., developer of battle royale hit PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the South Korea-based game publisher also operates Delusion Studio, Bluehole, En Mass Entertainment, and mobile game studios Pnix and Redsahara. 

Krafton is planning to use Credit Suisse Group AG, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. as underwriters, for the IPO led by Mirae Asset Daewoo – South Korea’s largest investment banking and stock brokerage firm – on the Korea Exchange (KRX). 

Given the global popularity of video games and Krafton’s impressive portfolio, there is speculation that the IPO may be South Korea’s largest ever, with estimates putting its value at around $26B USD, and the expectation of around $9B in stock being sold.

Last month, South Korea’s Kakao Games Corp., went public and saw its value rise over 300% in the first two days of trading. 

Krafton’s largest shareholder is Chairman Chang Byung-gyu, who controls 17.4% of the company, while Tencent Holdings, the Chinese entertainment conglomerate, owns 13.2% of Krafton via its Hong Kong subsidiary Image Frame Investment. Other stakeholders include IMM Investment with 6.9%, KNET Investment Partners with 5.7%, and Altos Ventures. 

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

Freaks 4U Gaming has teamed up with marketing, media, and production agency Infront to launch Valorant hub Agent’s Range.

Aimed at the growing German-speaking Valorant community, the hub will feature game news, original editorial and video content, and broadcast DACH region events, including the inaugural Kingdom Calling tournament, and BLAST’s upcoming Spike Nation. 

Agent’s Range will also be exclusive German broadcast partner for the First Strike Finals in December – the first official Riot Games sanctioned Valorant competition series. 

Set to take place tomorrow, Kingdom Calling is Agent’s Range first tournament, and will feature influencers and teams including eXiLe Esports and Wave Esports. The event is being sponsored by AMD, Red Bull, and Samsung, and will be streamed on Twitch.

Discussing the new platform Freaks 4U Gaming Vice President – Commercial, Marco Niemann, said:

“With Agent’s Range we are going to build the go-to-platform for VALORANT fans in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, offering brands a unique opportunity to get involved in one of the most hyped games in esports in recent years. 

“With Infront we have found the perfect partner to commercialise our vision and look forward to creating high-quality and beneficial brand integrations for our partners.”

While Head of Gaming & Esports at Infront, André Fläckel, added:

“Joining forces with Freaks 4U Gaming is the next logical step to accelerate our ambitions in esports. The interest in VALORANT is rapidly increasing, both from a player and viewership perspective.

“Building Agent’s Range together with Freaks 4U Gaming from scratch is a huge opportunity and will open various fantastic avenues for Infront and its clients. Welcoming partners like Samsung, Red Bull and AMD as part of our launch tournament is even more exciting and shows we are heading in the right direction.”

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s great to see the regional ecosystem for Valorant is taking shape, and Freaks 4U Gaming and Infront have pulled things together impressively quickly, securing major sponsors and major exclusive broadcast rights. The trick now will be getting the still forming DACH Valorant fan community onboard. 

‘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.