French esports organisation Team Vitality has said it will be using three key SAP solutions to support financial management. 

According to the organisation, using the three SAP products will enable it to optimise all its processes, including monitoring of contracts, data management, automation of tasks, and monitoring financial flows. In the long-term, Team Vitality intends to push its use of SAP solutions even further, impacting all the company’s branches, and supporting its continued international growth. 

Team Vitality is set leverage:

•   SAP Business By Design®, a cloud-based ERP for optimising finance, purchases, and inventory management.
• SAP Cloud Platform®, an integration and extension platform for simplifying exchanges with the company’s ecosystem.
• SAP Analytics Cloud®, an augmented and multi-source analytics solution for optimising and accelerating decision-making.

Discussing the partnership CFO at Team Vitality, Sonia Manueco, said:

“We operate more than one business model at a time: we make retail sales via our website, we develop marketing contracts with different brands and we also generate content. It was, therefore, necessary to have several tools grouped together in a single, easy-to-access interface to be able to manage all these activities.”

While COO at Team Vitality, Franck Boniface, added:

“Thanks to SAP, we have all the components we need to go even further: we want to continue improving our operations by automating all of our legal, quality, and logistics processes. The long-term objective is also to use all the data we retrieve from our platforms, such as Twitch and Twitter, to be able to make the connection between interactions with our fans and purchases on our webshop.”

SAP provides data analytics and innovations to several professional sports and esports organisations, including the WTA, NBA, Team Liquid, and FC Bayern. It is currently intensifying the scope of its ERP offering in esports, and in addition to player performance management, is seeking to engage fans with its innovative technologies. 

Staying with Team Vitality, last month the organisation made the first move in its planned expansion to India, launching dedicated Indian-facing social media channels. 

AYO.NEWS says:

It might not be the most exciting news on the planet, but this partnership does demonstrate that as esports organisations evolve into complex, multi-faceted businesses, it’s absolutely critical to put efficient, robust infrastructure in place to minimise waste and maximise opportunities. 

‘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.

PUBG Corporation has announced an 8-week esports festival, featuring a $3.5M USD prize pool, and PUBG MOBILE Esports has revealed details of its 2021 program.

PUBG GLOBAL INVITATIONAL.S

Scheduled to take place from 2 February to 28 March, the PUBG GLOBAL INVITATIONAL.S (PGI.S), will be held in South Korea and feature 32 global teams from South Korea, North America, Europe, Latin America, China, Japan, South East Asia, and Taiwan. 

Unusually, given the current circumstances, the event will be an in-person affair, though it will be fully compliant with government COVID-19 guidelines, and go even further by introducing its own rules, including a two-week quarantine for all players and staff. 

The format will see teams compete in 16 weekly “Survival” matches, during which they will attempt to earn money and a spot in the “Final” matches. Final matches will feature larger prizes, which will be awarded based on performance. When all matches are completed, the team that has amassed the largest pot of prize cash will be named Global Champions. 

An upgraded Pick’Em Challenge, featuring an increased 30% revenue share, will also be part of the PGI.S. 

PUBG MOBILE 2021 Esports program

Details of the 2021 PUBG MOBILE Esports program have also been confirmed by James Yang, Director of PUBG MOBILE GLobal Esports. 

2021 will see seven new PMPL (PUBG Mobile Professional League) regions; CIS, Turkey, Western Europe, Arabia, North America, Latin America, and Brazil. They will complement the existing PMPLs in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The PMCO (PUBG Mobile Club Open) will also see additional regions added, including the UK, France, UAE, Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Mexico, with more to be revealed. 

Similar to 2020, the PMCOs and PMPLs will be split into two seasons, with the PMGC at the end of the year. Registration for the PMCO Spring Split will be open from 1-24 January 2021. New PUBG MOBILE Invitationals will be introduced in summer, hosted by pro teams.

The PMGC starts at 11am UTC on 24 November 2020, and will see 24 pro teams from around the world compete for a $2M prize pool, and the glory of being crowned the best team in the world at the PMGC Finals. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Both PUBG and PUBG MOBILE have exploded in popularity through 2020, and they look set to continue on the same stratospheric trajectory into 2021. Fans and players alike will also no doubt be thrilled at the prospect of the in-person 8-week festival in February – though, given the state of the COVID-19 crisis, with its frequently changing lockdowns, travel bans and quarantine rules, it’s probably best to take the schedule with a pinch of salt at this point.

‘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.

Social gaming platform developer and licensor, Golden Matrix Group, has partnered with gambling technology company Playtech. 

The collaboration is aimed at growing both companies’ share of the esport and betting game markets globally. Under the terms of the agreement, Playtech will gain exclusive distribution rights for GMGI’s new suit of Esport, peer-to-peer betting games (Peer2P), and its AI player acquisition and retention system.

Golden Matrix will be granted non-exclusive distribution rights for Playtech’s most popular games, including live dealer, slots, table games, bingo, and poker titles. 

Discussing the partnership Golden Matrix CEO, Brain Goodman, said:

“This collaboration agreement with the industry’s most prestigious technology provider and distributor represents a significant milestone in our company’s expansion and growing success. 

“With Playtech as our Peer2P distribution partner, GMGI’s exciting content will now be introduced to new gaming audiences, thus extending the company’s reach into new territories – including the fast growing U.S. market where we expect to establish a significant presence. 

“In addition, our core business will also benefit greatly by adding Playtech’s best gaming software to our current GM-X product offerings. We are confident it will be enthusiastically received by our 350 plus licensees and their 3.5 million registered users that transact through our GM-X platforms.”

While CEO of Playtech, Mor Weizer, added:

“Playtech’s success is driven by key strategic partnerships with the industry’s leading specialists that complement our technology, increase our scale and breadth of offering and extend our distribution capabilities. 

“We are delighted to announce the new partnership with experienced technology provider GMGI. This is the exciting first step in our partnership which will see us launch E-sport, P2P and other innovative software as well as expand distribution of our world class content.”

Both sides of the distribution agreement are expected to be live by 1 December 2020. 

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

Wolves Esports has announced a partnership with the North American Collegiate League (NACL) for the 20/21 Championship series. 

The esports division of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, which plays in the English Premier League, is teaming up with the American non-profit throughout the 20/21 NACL Championship series, which includes four gaming tournaments; PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA 21, and Fortnite. 

Wolves will be promoted throughout the series, and will offer players a range of Wolves-related prizes, including a chance to try out for its professional esports team. 

Commenting on the collaboration General Manager for Marketing & Commercial Growth at Wolves, Russel Jones, said:

“This is another exciting project on our esports road map. This collaboration with NACL will enable us to engage with a primarily North American gaming audience through four competitive tournaments.

“The very best players will have the opportunity to engage with and play against our professional teams. These sessions will be designed to nurture talent and provide pathway information into professional esports.”

While Founder of NACL, David Chen, added:

“The NACL boast partnerships with more than 220 colleges and universities worldwide, through in excess of 100 online tournaments and live events.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our players the opportunity to try-out for their professional teams, competing at the very highest level of esports.”

Wolves Esports competes in FIFA and PUBG, and recently added a Rocket League team to its line up. 

The NACL’s ambassadors include Anthony Alfredo (pro NASCAR driver), Aaron Jones (NFL player for Greenbay Packers), Flex Lewis (IFBB 7x Mr Olympia), Jeremy Roenick (NHL legend), and Rick Barry (NBA Hall of Famer). 

AYO.NEWS says:

Respect to Wolves for supporting a non-profit collegiate organisation like NACL, which is helping ensure the long-term sustainability of the esports ecosystem by giving a path from grassroots to pro. And, from Wolves’ point of view, this is sure to boost its profile across the Atlantic – and drive the brands’s global growth, which is already impressive, especially in Asia, and benefits the whole club, including its core football 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.

The Esports Awards has announced the full list of winners from this year’s groundbreaking virtual ceremony. 

The fifth iteration of the Esports Awards was hosted by Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere, presented by stars including WWE Superstar Xavier Woods, legendary DJ Steve Aoki, and Tottenham footballer and newly appointed EXCEL ESPORTS brand ambassador Dele Alli, and saw a record thirty awards handed out. 

Supported by major partners including Lexus and Verizon, and with a virtual online ceremony in partnership with LiveCGI, this years’ awards saw Riot Games dominate, taking home Esports Publisher of the Year in Association with LiveCGI and Esports Game of the Year in Association with The Koyo Store for League of Legends. Riot’s haul continued with its League of Legends European Championship scooping Esports Content Team of the Year, and the LOL Season Opening named Esports Creative Piece of the Year. 

Also landing multiple awards was European esports organisation Team Secret, which won Esports PC Player of the Year for Michał “Nisha” Jankowski, Esports Coach of the Year for Lee “Heen” Seung Gon, and Esports Team of the Year for its Dota 2 roster.

The complete list of Award Winners is as follows:

• Esports Mobile Game of the Year presented by Verizon – Freefire
• Esports Publisher of the Year In Association with LiveCGI from Esports Supply – Riot Games
• Esports Game of the Year in association with The Koyo Store – League of Legends 
• Esports Supporting Agency of the Year in association with Grind Gaming – CSA 
• Esports Coverage Website of the Year in association with Sizzle Creative – Esports Observer
• Esports Play of the Year in association with Respawn – İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş (BIG) 
• Esports Creative/Creative Team of the Year in Association with eBeatz – Paper Crowns
• Esports Journalist of the Year – Emily Rand
• Esports Content Team of the Year – League of Legends European Championship 
• Esports Content Creator of the Year In Association with Esports Stadium Arlington – UpUpDownDown
• Esports Caster of the Year (Play by Play) – Clayton “CaptainFlowers” Raines 
• Esports Caster of the Year (Colour) – Michael “KiXSTAr” Stockley
• Esports Host of the Year – Eefje “Sjokz” Deporteere
• Esports PC Rookie of the Year In Association with Matrix Keyboards – Ryu “Keria” Min-seok (T1) 
• Esports Console Rookie of the Year in Partnership with SCUF – Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) 
• Esports Mobile Player of the Year – Made Bagas “Zuxxy” Pramudita (Bigetron RA) 
• Esports Console Player of the Year in Partnership with SCUF – Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) 
• Esports PC Player of the Year – Michał “Nisha” Jankowski (Team Secret) 
• Esports Team of the Year – Team Secret (Dota 2)
• Esports Personality of the Year presented by Lexus – Carlos “ocelote” Rodríguez Santiago 
• Streamer of the Year Presented by Lexus – Ibai
• Esports Organisation of the Year – G2 Esports
• Esports Cosplay of the Year – Glory Lamothe
• Esports Creative Piece of the Year in association with eBeatz – LOL season opening

This years’ Esports Awards also hosted the first ever Esports Awards Prelude, in which ten additional awards were handed out.

• Esports Collegiate Award – Tyrelle Appleton
• Esports Hardware Provider of the Year – Elgato
• Esports Commercial Partner of the Year – Logitech
• Lifetime Achievement in Esports – Class of 2020 
  • Johnathan “Fatality” Wendel
  • Daigo Umehara
  • Richard Lewis
  • Craig “Torbull” Levine
  • Michael Sepso
  • Lim ‘Boxer’ Yo-Hwan

• Esports Photographer of the Year – Rich Loch
• Esports Videographer of the Year – Logan Dodson
• Esports Coach of the Year – Lee “Heen” Seung Gon (Team Secret) 
• Esports Analyst of the Year – Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill 
• Esports Content Series of the Year – Eavesdrop Podcast
• Panel’s Choice Award in association with Touch of Ginger – Michal Slowinski
• Panel’s Choice Award in association with Touch of Ginger – Steve Dudenhoeffer

Reflecting on the awards, Managing Director, Esports Awards, Michael Ashford, said:

“It has been a milestone year, not just for the Esports Awards, but for the esports industry. We have been faced with many challenges and hurdles as well as opportunities to showcase how resilient and talent led our industry is. 

“As we conclude our fifth year with more votes, more viewership, and more mainstream partners than ever before I am pleased that we were able to put together an ambitious virtual event to celebrate those who have really made a difference and continued to push our industry forward.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Congratulations to everyone who won an award, and indeed all the nominees and organisers! Esports, and the wider video game industry, have really stood out this year as a beacon of light and inspiration in an otherwise gloomy world, and we’re sure this will continue into what we all hope will be a more positive 2021. 

‘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.

Revolutionary gaming organisation XSET has acquired formidable all-female CS:GO team Originem.

One of the most decorated all-women’s esports team in history, with a collective 70 tournament wins, the Originem line-up consists of Zainab “zAAz” Turkie, Michaela “mimi” Lintrup, Petra “Petra” Stoker, Julia “juliano” Kiran, and Anastasia “kr4sy” Khlobystina.

Commenting on joining XSET team captain, Julia “juliano” Kiran, said:

“We are super excited to join XSET because of the people behind it and of what they stand for in terms of diversity and the quality. This is an amazing opportunity for us as a competitive team to grow with the brand and bring trophies to the organization.” 

While co-founder and COO of XSET, Marco Mereu, added:

“We want the world to see that this team is not a badass ‘all-female’ team, they are a badass team that crushes the competition. This team has what it takes to play — and win — on the world stage, and we are thrilled to have them join the XSET esports roster.”

XSET’s new CS:GO team will be competing in tournaments round the world, usually against male-dominated teams, with their next competition set to be in December at the Dreamhack Open.

AYO.NEWS says:

We knew XSET had a big announcement coming after Simona’s recent chat with co-owner Clinton Sparks, and this is pretty big. With this team’s track record, we think it’s safe to assume XSET is going to become a powerful force in CS: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.