CEO and President of Taiwanese multinational tech corp MSI has died, aged 56, after falling from the 7th floor of the company’s headquarters. 

Sheng-Chang Chiang, also known as Charles Chiang, has been CEO and President of MSI (Micro-Star International) since January 2019. Prior to that he was Head of Desktop Computing, where he helped lead the company’s efforts in motherboards and graphics cards. 

MSI is heavily invested in the esports industry, partnering with ESL and BlizzCon. However, it recently terminated its partnership with esports organisation Method, following a slew of sexual misconduct allegations. 

According to the Liberty Times Net, police say Chiang fell from the 7th floor of the MSI headquarters in the Zhonge District, northern Taiwan. He was rushed to hospital, but pronounced dead after arrival. 

The reason for the fall is unknown and subject to police investigation.

AYO.NEWS says:

MSI really has been a major force in the gaming hardware world (I have an MSI laptop sitting on my desk right now), and has been heavily supporting esports for some time – and we’re sure Chiang’s legacy will be remembered by everyone at the corporation and far beyond. 

‘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 iGaming content developer Blueprint Gaming has appointed Lauren Bradley to the newly created role of Head of Commercial. 

Bradley brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to Blueprint, having previously held high-level commercial and account management roles at tier one suppliers and operators, including Bede Gaming, iSoftBet, and more recently, Realistic Games. 

Commenting on her new appointment Blueprint’s new Head of Commercial, Lauren Bradley, said:

“I’m incredibly honoured to be joining one of the most innovative companies in the casino sector and working alongside such a talented team, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with throughout my time in the industry. It’s an exciting time for the company and I’m relishing the challenge of working to sustain and grow Blueprint’s already thriving business.”

While Managing Director of Blueprint Gaming, Matt Cole, welcomed her saying:

“Lauren is a well-known and highly respected figure in the online casino industry and will prove to be an important addition to our already outstanding team. Her skills and knowledge will be invaluable as we look to further extend Blueprint’s presence across new markets, as well as continuing to engage closely with our existing partners.”

And, Director of Marketing and Relationships at Blueprint Gaming, Jo Purvis, added:

“The timing for Lauren and Blueprint Gaming is perfect as we move into new territories and navigate our way through an ever-changing industry landscape. We know Lauren very well from her previous role at an operating partner of ours and we couldn’t be happier that she’s joining the Blueprint team.”

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

Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any stranger, it did, with both Kanye West and Brock Pierce announcing they are running for President of the United States. 

Yes, it’s true. American rapper Kanye West has said he’s going to run for president, and has apparently attracted the support of Tesla CEO Elon Musk – though, according to CNN, he still needs to register with the Federal Election Commission, present a campaign platform, and secure enough signatures to make it onto the November ballot.

However, entrepreneur, crypto venture capitalist, and child star, Brock Pierce appears to be a bit more organised, already having a campaign site up and running. It outlines his enthusiasm for digital currencies, and says he’s raised more than $5 billion for companies he’s founded, but doesn’t say if he’s running as an independent or seeking nomination in an existing party.

Pierce is currently Chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation and is co-founder of EOS Alliance, Block.one, Blockchain Capital, Tether, and Mastercoin. 

He is also founder of IMI Exchange – claimed to be the world’s leading digital currency marketplace for games, with annual sales exceeding $1 billion. IMI Exchange was sold in 2016 for more than $100 million. Additionally, he founded ZAM, one of the world’s largest media properties for gamers. ZAM was acquired by Tencent in 2012. 

Other projects he has co-founded include D10e, GoCoin, Blade Payments, Five Delta (sold NASDAQ: SRAX), Xfire 2.0, Playsino, Evertune, GamesTV, and DEN. He also advises Airswap, Bancor, BitGo, BitGuild, BlockV, Bloq, DNA, Element Group, Metronome, Shyft, and tZERO, and speaks at blockchain and DLT events worldwide. 

AYO.NEWS says:

We know what you’re thinking; how the hell does one man have time to do all that?! Maybe Piece also has a DeLorean-based time machine he picked up from a Hollywood lot during his Mighty Ducks days?

However he does it, Pierce certainly has an impressive track record in business and knows a thing or two about emerging technologies. In fact, we’d say he’s probably exactly the kind of leader the United States needs right now. Unfortunately, we’d say it’s a safe bet that Kanye West will prove more popular with the public. 

And, lets not forget, our favourite crypto maverick, John McAfee, is also running for president! 

Of course, not everyone shares Brock’s vision! We couldn’t resist:

‘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

North Carolina-based game design and software developer Grover Gaming, Inc, is ramping up recruitment, seeking more than 40 talented professionals over the next 6 months.

With the global economy in freefall the gaming sector is once again bucking the trend, and continuing to invest in recruitment. Based in Greenville, NC, Grover Gaming says it intends to hire more than 40 system and product development professionals in the coming months.

According to the company, the new team members will be responsible for building the critical system framework for new markets and products aligning with the Grover Strategic Plan to support continued rapid growth. 

The ideal candidates will have experience in the slot/pull-tabs gaming industry. Grover is offering relocation stipends and signing bonuses to help attract the best talent.

Discussing plans Director of Human Resources for Grover Gaming, Gerren Brown, said:

“We recognize the difficult times many people currently face, so Grover Gaming wants to do all it can to attract the best professionals and ensure our new team members start their new careers here on the best footing possible. Here at Grover, people come first.”

Grover Gaming develops software, game content and gaming systems for lotteries and charitable gaming jurisdictions, and is currently licensed in the US states of Ohio, New Hampshire, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, and Virginia, along with Ontario in Canada. 

The company says it has now surpassed $150 million (USD) in monies raised for charities through its charitable gaming and fraternal partners across the United States, and it Inc. magazine has recognised it as one of the fastest growing companies in America in 2020. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With no end in sight for the COVID-19 crisis, and much of the global economy facing disaster, the gaming industry has been one of the few shining lights. Along with esports, iGaming companies are continuing to invest in new products, hire new staff, and attract substantial investment. 

‘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

AoE Creative has hired leading industry designer Evan Eckard as its new Creative Director. 

The Dallas, Texas-based gaming, esports, and nerd culture creative and marketing agency says Eckard will help it “redefine best practices, tailoring the creative agency experience to something that optimally fits the unique demands and practices of the gaming and esports industry.”

Eckard’s esports experience includes collaborating with Los Angeles-based organisation and lifestyle brand 100 Thieves – something that AoE says “defines the modernization of competitive gaming apparel.” 

He has also worked with many tech startups, focusing on branding, UI, and users experience, including for music streaming app Pretzel Rocks, and collaborating with pop culture media giants, celebrities and influencers. 

Notably Eckard worked branding and design for rock legend Marky Ramone, and on merchandise for CS:GO star Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek. 

AoE Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Markel Lee, has collaborated with Eckard previously, and says he’s particularly excited by his love for package and physical print – something which, he says, most people in the esports and game space tend to overlook. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Already counting FCFL, Houston Outlaws, Sansar, and Optic Gaming among its clients, bringing aboard creative talent of Eckard’s calibre can only help AoE flourish in this exciting space. The growth of the gaming and esports design scene is also yet another sign of how quickly the industry is professionalising. 

‘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

North American esports organisation and lifestyle brand 100 Thieves has appointed Jeremy Azevedo as Vice President of Content. 

Previously Head of Gaming Programming at IGN Entertainment, Azevedo has also worked in programming and development at Machinima, CraveOnline, Group Nine Media, Jukin Media, and Discovery Digital Networks. 

Los Angeles-based 100 Thieves was founded in 2017 and now fields teams in League of Legends, Fortnite, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Valorant. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With tens of millions of people losing their jobs around the world due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, it’s great to see esports organisations are continuing to invest in talent, and we’re sure Azevedo will be a valuable asset to 100 Thieves. 

Only yesterday we reported that Malta-based Esports Entertainment Group had made two senior leadership appointments, while on Monday tournament organiser ESL named Patricia von Halle as new Director of Consumer Marketing, and esports betting platform Luckbox revealed it is recruiting for 5 key positions.

‘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