UK-based competitive gaming culture brand EXCEL ESPORTS has revealed a new visual identity and manifesto.

According to the organisation, which fields teams in Fortnite and League of Legends, its bold new identity will see it evolve into a professional team that adds purpose to its passion for gaming.

Furthermore, signifying the next stage of EXCEL’s expansion, its vision of ‘The Power of Better’ is a commitment to improve in everything it does, and use its platform to have a positive impact on the wider gaming and esports community, steering it “beyond the over-used “lifestyle” esports brand.” 

Discussing EXCEL’s new identity, Co-founder and Chief Gaming Officer, Kieran Holmes-Darby, said:

“Over the last six years, EXCEL ESPORTS has seen immense growth, transforming from a bedroom hobby into a professional competitive gaming brand with players competing in the world’s biggest esports. 

“When EXCEL was founded we wanted our identity to be motivational, competitive, and allow people to easily support us in-game with the XL tag. As we head into this next phase of our journey, it’s great to be able to showcase our roots and initial passion, whilst developing our brand so that it is fit for our future ambitions.”

While CEO at EXCEL ESPORTS, Wouter Sleijffers, added:

“At EXCEL we have unlimited ambitions in the games we compete in, what we want to become as a team and as a brand. It’s now time for us to take our next step to grow as a globally recognised, respected and loved competitive gaming brand from Britain. 

“This step is more than just a visual update, it’s our belief in our vision for ourselves, our talent, our community and our culture. We believe that too many try to copy each other, vying to be competitive or lifestyle without further meaning. 

“Today, we will start our journey of The Power of Better with passion, professionalism, performance and purpose. This is more than just a brand update, it is EXCEL’s promise to be better every day and make our contribution to the future of competitive gaming.”

AYO.NEWS says:

The emergence of new generation esports-lifestyle-culture brands, like XSET for example, is clearly pushing existing organisations to try and metamorphosize into more holistic movements, complete with political and life philosophies. But, there is the danger of pushing things too far and becoming more than a little cringeworthy. Has EXCEL got it right? Time will tell… 

‘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.

Global esports company ReKTGlobal has announced Vikram “Vikkstar” Singh Barn is now co-owner of the London Royal Ravens.

A native Londoner, Vikkstar is co-founder of the Sidemen, one of Britain’s most popular YouTube collectives with over 9.7M subscribers and three channels, and is a well-known Call of Duty: Warzone streamer with more than 12.2M followers.

Now, as co-owner of London Royal Ravens, ReKTGlobal’s Call of Duty League franchise, Vikkstar will launch new content formats, merchandise, and promotional activations, in addition to hosting esports competitions including independently operated ReKTGlobal tournaments, as well as top Call of Duty: Warzone events. 

Commenting on the news Vikkstar said:

“Evolving from fan to co-owner is not something I thought I would ever accomplish. When I started streaming, I set out to be competitive, produce fun content and create a community. 10 years later, I’ll now apply that same passion in support of my local team, The Royal Ravens. Can’t wait to see how fans respond to all the exciting plans we have ahead.”

While co-founder of ReKTGlobal, Amish Shah, added:

“When we searched the UK to see who could be the face of the London Royal Ravens, Vikkstar was the unanimous choice for what we are building with the brand going into the 2021 season and beyond.

“Our fans love him, and this is a big win for the entire ReKTGlobal organisation. We are thrilled to welcome him to the family as a co-owner and trusted partner.”

For the upcoming London Royal Ravens 2021 season, Vikkstar will be co-streaming matches, participating in Call of Duty League Warzone events, holding meet & greets with fans, and generally catalyse and evangelize the brand globally. 

Vikkstar’s arrival follows October’s news that ReKTGlobal had secured $35M in funding from Summit Partners, allowing it to continue growing and taking things to new levels. 

Staying with ReKTGlobal, last week the organisation announced the appointment of Hannah Reid as its first ever Chief People Officer. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With his deep connection to the UK’s capital city, vast online following, and incredible enthusiasm for Call of Duty, Vikkstar may well be just the personality and talent needed to really make Londoners connect with the Royal Ravens.

‘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.

Vindex has become the first gaming company to join the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Innovators Community. 

The esports infrastructure provider, which was co-founded in 2019 by former Major League Gaming (MLG) founders Mike Sepso and Sundance DiGiovanni, is the first company in the industry join what the WEF describes as “an invitation-only group of the world’s most promising start-ups and scale-ups that are at the forefront of technological and business-model innovation.” 

Discussing the news Vindex Co-Founder and CEO, Mike Sepso, said:

“We are honoured to be the first company exclusively in the videogame industry to join the World Economic Forum’s Global Innovators Community. Esports is a global phenomenon, and the videogame industry is expected to hit $175 billion this year—more than movies, music, and many other sectors in entertainment.

“Vindex will work with the World Economic Forum to broaden global understanding of esports and work with private and public member organisations to promote the role of esports and gaming as a worldwide economic driver.”

While Head of Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment and Sport platform, World Economic Forum, Kirstine Stewart, added:

“We’re thrilled to have Vindex join the Global Innovators Community because the company will be instrumental in helping to showcase the potential of gaming within the larger picture of entertainment and media.

“Vindex is the first company exclusively in the videogame industry to join the World Economic Forum and will be working with us on projects exploring new business models in our sector. This work paves the way for greater knowledge and adoption of esports and gaming worldwide, which will directly influence the growth of other key industries.”

Shortly after launching last year, with $80M in capital, Vindex acquired Next Generation Esports, and in July 2020 the company acquired Belong and all associated IP from Fraser Group’s Game Digital. The company has also partnered with IMAX to create esports events and content exclusive to the immersive cinema chain. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The combination of Sepso and DiGiovanni’s deep industry knowledge and connections, coupled with substantial start-up funding, assured the rapid success of Vindex, and getting an invite to join such an exclusive WEF community just underscores this. Hopefully, Vindex’s inclusion in the group will help catalyse development across the industry. 

‘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.

California-based venture capital firm Griffin Gaming Partners has raised $235M USD for its gaming and tech-focused fund.

Griffin Gaming Partners was founded in 2019 by Nerdist Industries co-founder, and former Lionsgate president of interactive ventures, games, and digital strategy, Peter Levin, along with managing director of investment bank LionTree, Nick Tuosto, and venture capitalist Phil Sanderson.

It’s current portfolio includes messaging and VoIP platform Discord, mobile competition platform Skillz, AI game content creation solution Latitude, game development studios Tactile, Funzy, and SuperSocial, and Frost Giant Studios – the new independent game development studio founded by Blizzard veterans Tim Morten and Tim Campbell. 

The firm says it plans to invest around half its funds in gaming platform and infrastructure companies, and the remainder in content and game studios.

AYO.NEWS says:

That’s more great news for smaller video game studios looking for investment to take them to the next level, and another sign of the confidence investors are placing in gaming and tech, despite the dire state of the wider global economy. 

‘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.

Fan engagement platform Espo has expanded its roster of team partners, welcoming Built By Gamers, Team BDS, and BOOM Esports. 

The three new teams will join F2K, GODSENT, and Team Queso, in running monthly campaigns on the Espo platform, giving fans the opportunity to unlock and redeem a constantly changing variety of exclusive perks. 

These will include VIP team merch, fan-v-fan tournaments, gaming house virtual tours, behind the scenes access to match days, competitions for content creators, giveaways from sponsors, and more. 

Regarding the new additions Espo founder and CEO, Henry James, said:

“I feel like Espo has found the turbo button when it comes to the interest we have been receiving from a number of the most competitive and popular esports teams. Take a closer look at these teams and you’ll see they deploy killer strategies in-game and in the boardroom. 

“Our Team Partners support our vision to bring esports fans closer to the action and they are the pioneering teams working collaboratively with our Brand Partners to provide reward-based fan engagement.”

Built By Gamers maintains rosters for Fortnite, and Valorant, and has partnerships with Vivint Smart Home, and Olive Avenue. 

Founder and CEO of Built By Gamers, Todd Searle, noted:

“We are excited to partner with Espo as it provides a crucial solution to the esports world. For BBG, providing unique opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite players is a priority. Espo will bridge that gap while also allowing brands and other partners to participate. This is an important step in the evolution of our brand.”

Switzerland-based Team BDS fields teams in Fortnite, Rainbow Six:Siege, Call of Duty, TFT, FIFA, Rocket League, League of Legends, and Trackmania. The organisation has partnerships with 

Executive Director of Team BDS, Renaud Pierre Baijot, commented:

“We are beyond excited to start working with Espo. They will help us bring Team BDS to a whole new level by helping us engage with fans and secure key partnerships with international brands.”

Indonesia-based BOOM Esports currently competes in CS:GO, DOTA 2, Free Fire, Hearthstone, PUBG Mobile, and Valorant, and is partnered with Vortex Series, Dagelan, Oxygen.ID, and GoPay. 

CEO of BOOM Esports, Gary Ongko Putera, said:

“We are excited to be joining Espo as one of their chosen Team Partners from the region. From day one, the vision and the mission is to become one of the biggest esports brands in the world. This is an exciting new step in achieving our goals with Espo and we will be able to bring BOOM closer to our global fanbase. Can’t wait to start the partnership!”

AYO.NEWS says:

Fan engagement is critical to building long-term, sustainable commercial success for all esports businesses, and there are several platforms starting to attract esports organisations. 

Socios.com, the tokenised fan voting and engagement app from Malta-based Chiliz, has been chosen by a host of major football teams, but also esports organisations Natus Vincere, OG, and Team Heretics.

Meanwhile, Virtus.pro, Furia, Nordavind, BIG Clan, Team Singularity, and Penta Sports have opted to use Blocksport, and Gen.G Esports has teamed up with blockchain network Rally, to launch its own CS:GO crypto fan token called GG Strike Coin. 

‘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.

UK-based video game developer and publisher Codemasters is set to be acquired by US-based Take-Two Interactive Software in a $980M USD deal. 

Though the two companies have agreed on the acquisition, it still needs shareholder and regulatory approval in the United Kingdom and United States. However, if all goes as planned, the acquisition should take place in the first quarter of 2021. 

CEO of Take-Two, Strauss Zelnick, and Chairman of Codemasters, Gerhard Florin, have both released statements saying the merger will benefit the companies, and they will recommend the transaction. 

Codemasters is responsible for some of the most popular sim racing titles, including Project Cars, DIRT, and F1, while Take-Two is well known for its NBA 2K series, along with Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and the WWE series.  

Last week, Take-Two reported a $99M profit for the second quarter of its fiscal year 2021, with in-game purchases driving profits, despite a dip in overall revenue. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Assuming this acquisition goes ahead it will create a new force able to take on the biggest developers and publishers. And, given their distinctly different product line-ups, this seems like a move that will only strengthen both companies, giving plenty of opportunities for 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.