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.

UK-based Veloce Racing has announced a new partnership with Dutch watchmaker TW Steel. 

The agreement will see Veloce and TW Steel compete against the clock together during the inaugural season of the next-generation, all-electric Extreme E championship, commencing on 20 March, 2021. 

Veloce and TW Steel will also collaborate on marketing campaigns, and a limited edition range of branded watch designs, with multiple models designed to appeal to both Veloce’s Extreme E and esports audiences. 

Discussing the partnership Veloce Racing CEO, Daniel Bailey, said:

“We’re all really excited to welcome TW Steel to the fray as our Official Timing Partner. It’s important for us to have such a recognisable brand on-board for our first season in Extreme E, and to have one that is so established in the motorsport industry is an added bonus.

“Veloce has been touted as an innovator and disruptor in this space, and we’re delighted to be partnering with like-minded organisations. I think I speak for everyone when I say this collaboration is going to be a huge success!”

While TW Steel CEO, Jordy Cobelens, added:

“Having worked with several Formula 1 teams and numerous high-profile drivers, Veloce Racing was a natural fit for us and this partnership enables us to transition into the ever-growing world of electric motorsport.

“The Veloce-branded watches we’re planning to release will be a fun project for us. We’ll also be accessing two brand new audiences in the shape of virtual motorsport fans and those who are passionate about the environment.”

TW Steel now takes its place on Veloce Racing’s growing list of partners, including ART Grand Prix, MPA, and Veloce Esports, following a successful livery reveal during the Extreme E Virtual Global Series Launch. ART Grand Prix is currently preparing the Veloce Racing car and livery at its facility in France. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Since Veloce Esports and Veloce Racing merged earlier this year, it has created a groundbreaking mix of sim and real world racing, with a next generation electric twist! Getting the backing of a prestigious watchmaker has long been coveted in the traditional motorsports word, so this deal delivers some serious kudos to Veloce. 

As for TW Steel, it’s awesome to see the company continue to support esports and next generation sports with its time-keeping creations. Back in June this year, the watchmaker created the world’s very first esports-inspired timepiece, in partnership with BLAST. 

‘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 entertainment company BLAST has secured £1.7M GBP in funding from Edge Investments. 

The investment follows on from a successful £11M funding round in May this year. BLAST says it will use the new capital and Edge’s broad network to accelerate its international expansion and optimise its production capabilities, while bolstering its broader UK operations as it looks to further tap the nation’s strong media talent pool. 

Edge Investments specialises in identifying trends and technology advances that will impact the creative economy, and is one of the leading growth investors in the sector. Since launching in 2006, Edge has raised over £200M, and made investments in digital media company Jungle Creations, advertising platform A Million Ads, user-generated content marketplace Newsflare, on-demand audio distribution platform audioBoom, and festival and travel platform Festicket, among others. 

Discussing the news Investment Manager at Edge Investments, Niall Santamaria, said:

“We’re excited to partner with BLAST as it looks to become a true leader in global esports. In this sector, the fans are everything – and Robbie and his team have focused on ensuring they have the best teams, top broadcast talent and production technology, to deliver a truly world class content experience for their millions of fans; something clearly acknowledged by the BBC with yesterday’s announcement. The whole team at Edge is pleased to be supporting them as they build on their recent successes and move to the next stage of their growth.”

While CEO of BLAST, Robbie Douek, added:

“To have Edge Investments’ backing is testament to the impressive work BLAST has achieved so far this year and highlights the upward trajectory the esports industry is on right now despite a turbulent year for everyone. 

“We chose Edge for access to their specialist knowledge and network in content distribution, media promotion and production, and we are delighted to have them on board as we enter what looks to be a pivotal year for us.”

Just yesterday, BLAST announced a new partnership with the BBC, that will see its final three Counter-Strike events of 2020 shown on the broadcaster’s digital platform, iPlayer. 

BLAST currently has offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, and London, UK. 

AYO.NEWS says:

This year has been challenging for BLAST and other tournament organisers due to the COVID-19 crisis, so it’s great to see investors are still optimistic about the long-term future for esports events companies. It’s also good to see BLAST is going to invest in expanding operations in the UK – a country which should, given its creative firepower, especially in video games, also be at the forefront of esports.

‘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.

Following a similar move in Poland, video games will now become an integral part of the state education system in a region of Belgium. 

The Flemish Department of Education and Training has recognised the value of integrating video games into the classroom, by commissioning the Game.Learn.Grow toolbox, developed by Arteveldehogeschool and Mediawijs.

Featuring over 30 ready-to-use activities, tailored for different age groups, including exploring ancient Greece in “Assassin’s Creed”, and rebuilding their school in “Minecraft”, the toolbox serves as a practical guide for both primary and secondary school teachers. It also gives teachers the ability to create their own video-game-based educational activities. 

Regarding the new initiative, spokesperson for the Flemish/Belgian video game industry, David Verbruggen, said:

“We’re delighted with the Game.Learn.Grow toolbox and want to thank the Flemish Department of Education and Training, Arteveldehogeschool, and Mediawijs for making this possible. Here’s hoping the tools lead to an ever-expanding database of quality, game-driven content that prove that games in the classroom are here to stay.”

While ISFE CEO, Simon Little, added: 

“It is extremely exciting to see another European government recognise the value of video games to education in this way. We know from our Games in Schools project that video games have an exciting role to play in the classroom, inspiring an interest in STEM, equipping students with digital skills, increasing student engagement and learning outcomes, developing team-building, problem-solving and mental agility.”

ISFE’s Games in Schools teachers’ handbook has now been added to Klascement, the official teachers’ platform in Flanders. 

Staying in Flanders, the Flemish Government has also committed €100,000 fund to support the Flemish video games sector during the COVID-19 crisis. This is welcome news for the sector, because despite video games already on the market enjoying record sales, development of new games has been impacted by disruption, with employees forced to work remotely and several launches delayed due to employee sickness. 

Flemish Media Minister Benjamin Dalle has also identified the importance of the video game sector to the future of the regional economy. 

AYO.NEWS says:

What can we say other than “fantastic!” As someone whose partner is an educator, I know only too well the challenge teachers face in trying to engage students who are more at home in the virtual world than the real one. Let’s hope lots of other education departments follow 

‘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.

WePlay Esports has named Oleh Humeniuk as its new Chief Executive Officer. 

Humeniuk has been with the company since 2019, and was formerly General Manager of its European Office. He has more than 11 years of experience in IT infrastructure project management for government and business institutions, and building teams. 

According to WePlay Esports, the change in the company’s management structure is a logical step which accurately reflects the dynamics of its development, which over the past couple of years has significantly expanded its areas of activity, and increased its presence in the global market. 

Commenting on his promotion, Humeniuk said:

“WePlay Esports is growing and scaling up at a tremendous speed. We have transformed from a tournament operator into a media holding company that combines esports events with activities such as creating and developing an ecosystem of premium products and services, media, brand integration into esports, and media rights sales.

“My task as CEO is to ensure our further development, supporting WePlay Esports’ aspiration to become a leading esports media holding and make esports an important part of life for a large number of people across the world.”

WePlay Esports Managing Partners, Oleg Krot and Yura Lazebnikov, will continue to play an active part in the company’s development, focusing on growing its presence in Asia and the Americas, developing the esports media company’s ecosystem, and attracting investment.

Additionally, General Manager Maksym Bilonogov will take on responsibilities of Chief Visionary Officer.  

Staying with WePlay Esports, earlier this month the company revealed it had joined the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), as it steps up efforts to combat manipulation of competitive events.

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