Gaming matchmaking platform FASTCUP has partnered with identity verification platform Sumsub. 

The partnership will see the companies implement customer verification to ensure FASTCUP players are unable to cheat by creating more than one account per user. 

FASTCUP is an esports league platform that caters for Counter-Strike 1.6 (CS1.6) and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), and has more than 200,000 users worldwide. 

The platform allows players to team up against each other, matches them based on rank, and provides detailed profiles with rank, statistics, previous matches etc. League matches and tournaments give players the opportunity to win real money prizes from the $5,500 prize pool. 

However, FASTCUP has been concerned about users creating multiple accounts to increase their chances of winning prizes. Sumsub’s KYC/AML solution will now stop fraudulent signups and the abuse of the onboarding system. 

Commenting on the development Chief Operating Officer at FASTCUP, Ruslan Buhryn, said:

‘When we started leagues, we faced a problem where some users would create multiple accounts. As a result, they took up more places and stole prizes from other players. So, we needed to find a way to filter out cheaters to ensure fair play. 

When we implemented Sumsub’s onboarding solution, the number of unique user accounts grew, and the number of multiple accounts fell to almost zero. Thanks to Sumsub, we don’t have to stress about security and compliance while expanding our customer network.’

While Co-founder of Sumsub, Jacob Sever, added:

‘Like many other services, gaming platforms onboard a wide range of users from different age groups and locations. Because these platforms often involve monetary prizes, it inherently brings up the question of how to fairly and securely verify such a broad spectrum of users, while abiding by compliance laws and without harming conversion rates. We are happy to help FASTCUP create a safe and cheat-free environment for their dedicated players.’

AYO.NEWS says:

While we frequently hear about the importance of KYC solutions in the igaming industry, with online casinos and sportsbooks going to great lengths to remain compliant and protect their businesses, it’s an issue that is less talked about in the world of video gaming and esports. However, with the rapidly increasing popularity of platforms like FASTCUP, and the serious money now involved, we expect to see many more adopt KYC solutions like Sumsub’s. 

Staying with Sumsub, just last week Curaçao-based online betting operator, Pinnacle, announced it would be using its identity verification platform to improve onboarding for users.

‘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 Premier League and Electronic Arts (EA) have announced the third season of the ePremier League. 

Part of the EA SPORTS™ FIFA 21 Global Series, the competition enables UK-based players to win the ePremier League title for the club they support. Players can register for the competition from 5pm GMT on 3 December at e.premierleague.com, with online qualification starting in January 2021. 

All twenty Premier League clubs will be represented, competing to reach the online playoffs, with live finals set to take place in spring. Like last season, the finals will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, Premier League channels, and the EA SPORTS FIFA Twitch channel. 

Over the past two seasons, the ePremier League finals reached over 22 million fans. 

Commenting on the upcoming season, Premier League Commercial Director, Will Brass, said:

“The EA SPORTS FIFA video game series is one of the key channels through which fans all over the world can engage with Premier League clubs and players. We are looking forward to another edition of ePremier League after the first two seasons delivered some thrilling entertainment while giving UK-based fans the chance to represent their teams in high-profile competition.

“ePremier League is a great platform for players of all abilities and a real mix of competitors have progressed to the final stages of both tournaments so far. This includes some of the highest-ranked professional FIFA-gamers in the world and relatively inexperienced players who have proved they can take on the very best.

“We have been able to deliver the live finals to a wide audience in the UK and around the world, thanks to EA Sports and our broadcast partners, and we hope fans enjoy watching and having the chance to participate in another exciting season of ePL action.”

While FIFA Deputy Commissioner, Sam Turkbas, added:

“EA SPORTS FIFA esports popularity has the strongest momentum of all time and a key accelerator in its growth is through the power of its accessibility and authenticity. ePremier League gives competitors the opportunity to fulfil their dreams by representing one of their favourite clubs on the virtual pitch.”

The competition is open to UK residents aged 16 and over and will once again take place on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One. The winner will take home the trophy and a share of the £40,000 prize pot, and there will also be seats on offer for top-ranking players at the EA SPORTS™ FIFA 21 Global Series (FGS) European Playoffs. You can find more information about the EA SPORTS™ FIFA 21 Global Series (FGS) rules here.

Watford FC’s Thomas ‘Hashtag Tom’ Leese won the 2020/21 instalment of ePL, while World No. 1 Xbox One player, Donovan ‘Fnatic Tekkz’ Hunt won the inaugural season for Liverpool FC.

During this season’s online qualifiers, all players will be required to play in 90-rated Online Friendlies mode as their chosen Premier League club. Those who progress to the playoffs and beyond will play on FIFA Ultimate Team™ (using Premier League players only).

ePremier League evolved during the 2019/20 season, with the introduction of the ePL Invitational tournament while football was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. This saw first-team players and other famous faces compete on behalf of all 20 Premier League clubs in an online EA SPORTS FIFA 20 tournament. Two instalments of the competition were broadcast across five continents as then-Wolverhampton Wanderers player Diogo Jota and Leicester City’s James Maddison were crowned champions.

ePremier League is operated by esports tournament organisers Gfinity. For more information visit e.premierleague.com.

AYO.NEWS says:

Given the surge in popularity of FIFA, and video gaming and esports in general, throughout this year, it seems certain that the upcoming ePremier League is going to be by far the most popular and most viewed yet, and fans can look forward to some intense action next year.

‘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.

World of Warships and Verizon have announced the Verizon Warrior’s Championship.

The event will feature a special Clan battle tournament with a prize pool of $30,000, and an exhibition tournament featuring veterans and service members of the US military branches, competing to support charities of their choice. 

Qualifications will be running from 27-29 November, with Playoffs set for 5-6 December, 2020. To compete, players will need to join the World of Warships special Clan battle season, and if they place among the top four teams on their server, will be invited to participate in the tournament. Third-place team will win $5K, second will land $10K, and first will receive $15K. 

The exhibition tournament will also feature a $30K prize pool, which will be donated to charities chosen by participants. The action will take place on 5 December, starting at 1pm EST and on 6 December, starting at 11.30am EST. 

Four teams will be taking part; Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force – each including veterans and active-duty members from the following branches:

• Team Army – Army, and Army National Guard
• Team Air Force – Air Force, Space Force, and Air National Guard
• Team Navy – Navy, and Coast Guard
• Team Marines – Marine Corps

The 1st place selects the charity to receive $15,000, 2nd place selects the charity to receive $7,000, 3rd place selects the charity to receive $5,000 and 4th place selects the charity to receive $3,000.

In addition to supporting their favorite charities, each selected veteran will receive (1) Super Container, (1)Tournament patch and (1)World of Warships t-shirt just for participating.

More information can be found here. 

AYO.NEWS says:

What another great initiative from the Wargaming team – supporting the esports scene and giving back to those who give so much for their country. As for the winners of the exhibition event, surely the money must be on Team Navy?

As previously reported, earlier this year the developer teamed up with non-profit organisation Stack Up, to support crisis intervention services for veterans. 

‘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.

Garena and Google have teamed up to launch a Play on Challenge Free Fire competition in Brazil this December. 

The tournament is set to take place on 12 December, and will feature a mix of professional players and popular content creators, including global Free Fire star Bruno “Nobru” Goes.

Google and Garena have put together 12 teams of four players, based on players’ region, gender, and race, in an effort to fully represent the diversity of the Brazilian Free Fire community. 

Though the Free Fire publisher Garena is supporting the tournament, it is primarily a Google initiative, and will not be broadcast on the company’s streaming platform BOOYAH! Instead, it will be broadcast live on the official Brazilian Free Fire YouTube channel. 

Brazil’s Play on Challenge follows similar events held in Taiwan and South Korea last year. 

Staying with the hugely popular mobile battle royale game, last week Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., announced its debut Indian mobile esports program, Snapdragon Conquest, would be kicking off with Free Fire.

AYO.NEWS says:

Free Fire is extremely popular in certain markets, more than giving PUBG MOBILE a run for its money, and Brazil is one of those markets, so this competition is bound to go down well, even though we’ve got no idea what the prize pool is yet… but, it’s not about the money, right?

‘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 organisation Guild Esports has appointed Grant Rousseau as its Director of Esports. 

Rousseau is an esports veteran, who most recently served as Interim Head of Performance, and later Director of Operations, at fellow UK esports organisation Excel Esports. Before joining Excel, he was Director of Team Operations for OverActive Media Group, and Director of Operations at Splyce. 

According to a LinkedIn post, in his new role with Guild, Rousseau wants to “bring a winning mentality, and ultimately some trophies, to the company.” 

Taking to Twitter to comment on his new position, Rousseau said:

“The opportunity to lead from scratch the performance division of a growing esports org, is one I have always aspired towards. Incredibly grateful to be standing at this point and cannot wait to crack on.

“For the first time, I see a true action plan of how an esports org intends to endemically build up the UK scene. Their academy system is well designed and will bring life to the UK industry. It’s the main reason on why I joined and brings value to the competition of UK Esports.

“That together with the calibre of staff having been hired means that I truly believe this org set to go far, and also bring more non-endemic fans into the space (both UK and more). I for one cannot wait to be a part of it all, and I hope many of you will join me on the journey.”

In October, Guild Esports, which is co-owned by footballing legend David Beckham, raised £20M GBP when it listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), giving it a market capitalisation of £41.2M. 

Earlier this month, the organisation dropped its first apparel collection, featuring designs by Fergus Purcell. 

Guild now fields teams in Fortnite, Rocket League, FIFA 21 and Valorant, and has hired Duncan ‘Thorin’ Shields to help find a top CS:GO roster. 

AYO.NEWS says:

After having drummed up so much hype with its LSE listing, Guild is now under a lot of pressure to live up to expectations, so the pressure really will be on Grant Rousseau to get that winning mindset embedded in the whole organisation. 

‘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.

Aussie Fortnite player and streamer Kathleen ‘Loserfruit’ Belsten has teamed up with e.l.f. Cosmetics. 

The partnership will see the 27-year-old collaborate with California-based e.l.f. on activations across her various channels, to promote the company’s beauty and skin care products, in a campaign called Lufu x e.l.f Cosmetics. 

Belsten will also be launching the e.l.f.U initiative in early 2021, aiming to connect with her female fans and introduce her make fans to the brand’s products. 

Financial details of the partnership have not been revealed, but e.l.f. has said it worked with gaming content agencies LiveCraft and eGen eSports to develop the new campaign. 

Belsten currently has over 8M followers across her streaming and social media platforms, including 2.1M on Twitch, 1.6M on TikTok, 1.2M on Instagram, 558.1K on Twitter, and 2.88M on YouTube. 

She also has commercial partnerships with ASUS’ Republic of Gamers, CORSAIR, and GMYSHARK. 

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