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. 

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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.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has announced its debut Indian mobile esports program, Snapdragon Conquest. 

The new program has been designed to engage mobile gamers across all segments and skill levels, and will kick off with Garena’s Free Fire battle royale title. It features a price pool of INR 5M ($67K USD), and will expand to include several events and further titles. 

Staying with Qualcomm’s involvement in esports, earlier this month the company was announced as title sponsor of PUBG Mobile’s flagship event, the PUBG Mobile Global Championship. It has also sponsored the PUBG Mobile World League since July. 

AYO.NEWS says:

US-based Qualcomm’s Snapdragon mobile platforms are leaders in mobile gaming performance, so it’s no surprise the company is investing in establishing a presence in the Indian market – where mobile gaming is exploding. We’ve got a feeling this program will expand considerably! 

Staying with mobile gaming and India, earlier this week early-stage mobile game studio LILA Games announced it had raised $2.8M in a seed financing round, and would be expanding its development team in the country. 

‘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. 

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Tottenham Hotspur footballer Dele Alli has been announced as EXCEL Esports’ first ever global brand ambassador. 

The long-term deal will see Alli provide EXCEL’s roster of talent with the opportunity to benefit from his experience and knowledge of being an elite athlete. This will include how to deal with pressure, overcome challenges, and bounce back from setbacks. 

A gaming enthusiast, Alli is particularly passionate about Fortnite, considering it his biggest interest outside of football. In addition to being EXCEL’s new ambassador, Alli is already an ambassador for the organisation’s Official Peripherals Partner, HyperX, and has previously taken his love for gaming onto the pitch, celebrating his goals by performing popular Fortnite dances for Tottenham. 

He currently has over 130,000 followers on Twitch, and earlier this year took part in the charity esports series Gaming Without Borders, which raised $1.5M USD for COVID-19 charities. 

Discussing the partnership Alli said:

“Everyone who knows me knows my biggest passion outside of football is gaming and after becoming increasingly involved in the industry over the past few years, it seemed like joining forces with an esports team was a natural step for me to take. 

“What drew me to EXCEL was the fact it’s the biggest British esports brand in the country and competes at the top level of esports but as well as this, I love the fact the brand was born out of a passion for gaming and the values it upholds. 

“My knowledge of being a competitive athlete is something I believe can really benefit EXCEL’s roster of talent as they continue to strive to be better every single day but I’ll also be looking to further my own knowledge and understanding of this truly exciting industry.”

While EXCEL ESPORTS CEO, Wouter Sleijffers, added:

“EXCEL ESPORTS competes at the highest level of gaming competition. Following the recent launch of the new EXCEL and our vision in The Power of Better, we’ve been looking for a person who’s our own inspiration in getting the best out of ourselves. Therefore, we’re very pleased that Dele is coming on board to support us in our new, purpose led journey. 

“Dele knows better than anyone what it means to reach and stay at the top and also exhibits true passion and professionalism that is so prevalent in our own competitions. We look forward to working with Dele to develop our talent, utilise his advice and skill set to guide EXCEL forward and help us ensure we aren’t being complacent with our new ambition.”

Alli’s partnership with the UK-based esports organisation, follows its recent brand update and new team vision of “The Power of Better,” with its commitment to improve everything it does. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With the new breed of esports and gaming organisations, like US-based XSET, forcing more established names to rapidly evolve into complete culture/lifestyle/gaming brands, bringing high-profile athletes and celebrities onboard is a good way to build legitimacy, so we expect to see a lot more partnerships like this announced over the coming year. 

As for this specific partnership, with Alli’s passion for gaming, especially Fortnite, and his popularity on the pitch, it seems like the perfect fit. 

Staying with EXCEL, earlier this week the organisation extended its partnership with Belong Gaming Arenas. 

‘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.

Enterprise Gaming Canada Inc., (EGI) has partnered with Bermuda Island Games (BIG) to explore blockchain-based in-game digital assets. 

The partnership will see Bermuda’s first pure-play video game publisher harness EGI’s proprietary in-game blockchain technology, as EGI expands its reach into the gaming market, which will be valued at over $159B in 2020, according to Newzoo. 

Discussing the partnership CEO of EGI, Pascal Leblanc, said:

“Blockchain has been a boon to many industries that lacked accountability and transparency. Its unique capacity to bring authenticity to digital objects has been proven through projects such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Cryptokitties.

“Blockchain solves some of the major problems in the gaming industry today when it comes to the idea of digital in-game valuables and exchange. We’re committed to helping our adoption partners, such as BIG, grow as standalone studios while becoming front runners in this upcoming era of gaming.”

While CEO of BIG, Adrian Lodge, added:

“Our EGI partnership is perfectly timed, as they give us the capability to explore adding digital collectables and the facility for exchange among our gamers to our upcoming games through their technology. Our long-term goal is to continue to expand the video game development industry in Bermuda, and we see the exploration of this technology as core to achieving that goal.”

AYO.NEWS says:

The potential of non-fungible token (NFT) based trading and collecting in the video gaming metaverse is truly staggering. From basic, relatively inaccessible games just a few years ago, blockchain-based gaming has now advanced to the point where players can now enjoy the benefits of true ownership of in-game assets, without the need for extensive blockchain knowledge. 

Though publishers like Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands and UK-based Reality Gaming Group are leading the way, could we be about to see tiny little Bermuda emerge as a new blockchain gaming hub? It’s a tall order, but hey, everything has to start with something. 

‘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. 

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Global esports business ReKTGlobal has appointed Brad Sive as Chief Revenue Officer. 

In his new role, Sive will spearhead strategic planning, digital marketing, sales, media buying, branding, and partnerships, identifying new partners and creating future plans to boost revenue streams. 

He will also be instrumental in guiding ReKTGlobal through its current explosive growth stage in support of its owned and operated subsidiaries, including pro esports teams Rogue and the London Royal Ravens, full-service data driven media and esports marketing group Fearless Media, and gaming, esports and streamer talent management company TalentXGaming. 

Regarding his new appointment, Sive said:

“ReKTGlobal’s mission of being a complete esports ecosystem is something that is long overdue in the industry. No one else brings all the elements of the gaming experience together quite like ReKTGlobal.

“We have an amazing opportunity to elevate fan engagement and the experience for fans, teams and the average gamer. Our goal is to close the gap and bring on partners across the entertainment, music and gaming industry that will not only grow Team Rogue and the London Royal Ravens globally, but our brand as a whole.”

Before joining ReKTGlobal, Sive served as Chief Revenue Officer at TSM, Blitz & Influencers, where he led all marketing, content monetisation, and brand partnership initiatives. Prior to TSM, Sive was Chief Revenue Officer for Catalyst Sport & Media, where he was responsible for bringing on major brands including Dr Pepper, Chipotle, and McLaren, and led the advisory for Fan AI and GumGum Sports. He also spent over a decade with ESPN, where he managed many of the company’s largest client portfolios.

CEO of ReKTGlobal, Dave Bialek, welcomed Sive to the company, saying:

“We are thrilled to welcome Brad Sive as our Chief Revenue Officer. For the first time in ReKTGlobal’s 4-year history, we have taken the most critical step in creating a dedicated sales force for the entirety of the company.

“Over the past few years, we have built up an outstanding portfolio of assets which has raised our profile and benefited our shareholders. The next stage will be devoted to monetizing those assets, increasing our revenues and continuing our march toward our definite, industry-leading position and to become a billion-dollar business.”

AYO.NEWS says:

There’s no doubt that ReKTGlobal has built an impressive portfolio of properties across esports and entertainment, and  Sive’s resume is nothing short of stellar. But, given the challenges of monetising audiences these days, he’s taken on one hell of a task. Can ReKTGlobal become the billion dollar business Bialek wants? Its going to be interesting to see where they take things. 

‘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.