Overwolf, the all-in-one technology platform that enables creators to build, distribute, and monetize in-game apps and mods, has welcomed Shahar Sorek as new Chief Marketing Officer.

With over 12 years of experience in the games and technology industry, Shahar has founded and managed leading startups including 7 Elements Studios, a game studio specializing in massive-multiplayer-online strategy games. During his time at 7 Elements Studios, Shahar built a massive social network around free-to-play (F2P) games for the super whales, with top users spending $5M in a single game.  

Prior to joining Overwolf, he was CMO at Spacemesh, where he led branding efforts, go-to-market strategies, and product marketing execution. Shahar will oversee marketing strategy and partnerships with various industry stakeholders.

Looking ahead Sorek said: “A new era of the gaming revolution has begun, an inflection point in which the gamer/creator is emerging and will be a major force in shaping how current and future AAA games and economies will be experienced. 

“Overwolf’s passion for games and technological savviness make it a key player in shaping the future of the industry for all stakeholders. For creators, Overwolf has created a new career – the in-game creator – where gamers can make an actual living from their creations. For publishers and game studios, Overwolf is enhancing the gameplay experience and increasing engagement. It’s a story of a generation – putting gaming experiences into the hands of gamers and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Shahar has also held advisory positions at Overwolf, Flytrex, GK8, Treebute.io where he shaped the narrative and strategy of the venture with a focus on the go-to-market audience and the companies’ investors. Shahar has also worked as a creative producer and actor in Hollywood and Israel and is a former five-time Israeli national champion in Taekwondo.

Overwolf CEO and Co-Founder Uri Marchand had this to say about the new hire: “While I’ve known of Shahar for a long time, I’ve had the immense pleasure of working with him closely as both an advisor to Overwolf and as a personal mentor for the last two years. I could not be more excited and grateful for him to join the Overwolf team as CMO. 

“He is a wonderful addition to our team and will play an integral role in the growth of Overwolf as we work to make in-game creation a legit profession and accelerate the strategic adoption of user generated content by publishers and game developers.”

AYO.NEWS says:

The modding community is exploding thanks to platforms like Overwolf, and is one of the key drivers to creating a truly limitless gaming metaverse – and making games live forever. In terms enabling the creator economy, which is rapidly becoming a significant part of the world’s wider economy, platforms like Overwolf deserve a lot of credit, and we’re looking forward to seeing where the team, including Shahar, take things next.

Nasdaq-listed developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider, Motorsport Games, is set to acquire rFactor 2 developer Studio397 from Luminis International, in a deal worth $16M USD. 

The deal will see Motorsport Games pay Luminis International in two installments, consisting of $12.8M at closing, and $3.2M after one year.  Motorsport Games says that Netherlands-based Studio397 will retain its name, branding, and existing development and management staff after the acquisition. 

Discussing the acquisition, Stephen Hood, President of Motorsport Games, said: “We have been working with the team at Studio397 for a long time on both game development and esports. This is an acquisition that, when completed, makes complete sense for all parties and we are delighted to have them agree to join the Motorsport Games family.

“We see this as great news for the sim racing community as we can now leverage the best elements of the rFactor 2 platform, combine it with our foundational use of Unreal Engine (developed by Epic Games) and layer in the additional components our talented teams have spent the last two years developing.”

The two companies have previously collaborated, with rFactor 2 being the sim platform used for the Motorsport Games operated 24 Hour Le Mans Virtual race and the Formula E Race at Home Challenge. 

Motorsport Games listed on the Nasdaq earlier this year, raising around $69M. The company is also currently acquiring karting sim KartKraft from Black Delta, and has increased its stake in its Le Mans Esports Series, which is a joint venture with Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), from 45% to 51%. 

Staying with Motorsport Games, as previously reported, the company is set to release an official video game and associated esports program for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) sometime in 2022. 

US-based digital intelligence firm Zoomph has entered a strategic partnership with esports organisation Immortals Gaming Club (IGC). 

The collaboration will enable IGC to analyse engagements across all social media for every one of its teams, including Brazil-based MIBR, Los Angeles Valiant (Overwatch League), and Immortals. 

Discussing the news Zoomph Co-Founder, Nick Cronin, said: “Immortals Gaming is another fantastic addition to our growing esports network, we are always looking for passionate and fun brands to work with. We hope to provide added value to their partnerships and their fan experience through our platform as they continue to make impressions across all social media platforms.”

Zoomph is also partnered with esports organisations including Atlanta Esports Ventures, Misfits Gaming Group, Pittsburgh Knights, and Team Liquid, along with traditional sports brands like NASCAR, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Football Club. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With more and more major brands looking to spend on esports, the battle for fan engagement is heating up across the board, so it’s never been more critical for organisations to know exactly what’s going on, and be able to prove it to existing and potential clients. Judging by Zoomph’s track record so far, and the clients it has attracted, we’d say IGC made a good call.

California-based live streaming platform Maestro Interactive has raised $15M USD in a Series B funding round. 

New investors included NetEase, Sony Music Entertainment, Acronym Venture Capital, Kevin Lin (Twitch co-founder), and Michael and Amy Morhaime (former Activision Blizzard execs.) via Moonwell Capital.

Existing investors SeventySix Capital, The Strand Partners, Stadia Ventures, Hersh Interactive Group, Transcend Fund, Richard Gatchalian, and Aaron Lewis, also participated. The round brings Maestro’s total funding raised to-date to $22M. 

According to Maestro, the new capital will be used to finance the value-chain expansion of its products and diversify its customer base, introducing more affordable monthly plans, as it pursues its mission of building the creator economy. 

Maestro was founded in 2015 by current CEO Ari Evans. It allows artists and brands to build custom livestream experiences and engage audiences through tools like chat and calls to actions. A partnership with Spotify also enables merchandise stores to be integrated. 

The digital boom of 2020, driven by the COVID-19 lockdowns, fueled demand for Maestro’s offering, and the company saw revenue more than triple during the year.

Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite and Unreal Engine, has acquired Tonic Games Group, parent company of Mediatonic Games, developer of Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout.

Although Epic Games did not disclose how much it paid for Tonic Games Group, it did say that it had no current plans to change Fall Guys gameplay on any platforms, and it will continue to invest in the game. 

Fall Guys was the title that put Tonic Games on the map in 2020, after becoming extremely popular with streamers and content creators, and being a mainstay of TWO’s weekly Twitch Top 10 charts. 

The title sold over 7 million copies on Steam, and an undisclosed number of Playstation, within weeks of release, and is scheduled to be released on Xbox and Nintendo Switch in summer 2021. 

Commenting on the news Tonic Games Group Co-Founder and CEO, Dave Bailey, said: “At Tonic Games Group we often say that ‘everyone deserves a game that feels like it was made for them.’ With Epic, we feel like we have found a home that was made for us. They share our mission to build and support games that have a positive impact, empower others and stand the test of time and we couldn’t be more excited to be joining forces with their team.”

While Epic Games Founder and CEO, Tim Sweeney, added: “It’s no secret that Epic is invested in building the metaverse and Tonic Games shares this goal. As Epic works to build this virtual future, we need great creative talent who know how to build powerful games, content and experiences.” 

Epic Games also owns Rocket League developer Psyonix, along with Chair Entertainment, and People Can Fly. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Will the Epic’s acquisition of Tonic lead to Fall Guys following the path of Rocket League and going free-to-play? Will we see crossovers between Fortnite and Fall Guys, and will other third-party IP get integrated into Fall Guys? The possibilities are endless…

US-based gaming and entertainment holding company Subnation Media has partnered with Green Bay Packers player Marquez Valdes-Scantling to launch a new esports team. 

Trench Made Gaming (TMG), will compete across multiple titles, with Subnation driving strategy, brand partnerships, merchandising, and content efforts. 

TMG’s initial players will be selected through an NFL-inspired combine event, giving hopefuls the chance to prove their physical and mental skills. 

Doug Scott, Co-Founder and Chief Managing Director of Subnation Media, said: “Throughout his NFL career, MVS has shown his passion and commitment to excellence on and off the field, and we are excited to help extend his talent into the world of esports.

“Together, we are going to build a premium lifestyle brand for the gaming community that provides both digital and physical entertainment experiences.”

While Valdes-Scantling, Co-Founder of TMG, added: “Both traditional sports and esports play an important part in my life. And as these worlds continue to converge, I’m excited to partner with Subnation to build a competitive esports team that can deliver high-powered experiences for the entire community.”

In January, Subnation announced it had acquired an undisclosed equity stake in #1 ranked Fortnite team XTRA Gaming, while towards the end of 2020 the company was selected by GSD Group to act as Marketing Advisor, Event Partner, and Content Producer for Atari® Hotels.

AYO.NEWS says:

On both sides of the Atlantic we’re seeing a trend of professional athletes from traditional sports launch, or invest in, esports organisations. While this was already happening before the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems likely the crisis has pushed more athletes to hedge their bets with digital initiatives.