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eSports

The NBA 2K League and the rise of eSports

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NBA 2K LEAGUE POSTPONES START OF 2020 SEASON
Reading Time: 3 minutes

The NBA wants on the hype train.

 

The world of eSports is a unique thing, even in today’s technologically savvy times. It is still something that most people in general don’t think about, unless you are familiar with the world of online gaming. As someone who plays NBA2k on a regular basis, I understand it, but still find myself amazed as my eight year old son watches someone play Minecraft on YouTube. eSports is here to stay and its and even bigger than most people might imagine.

eSports has been around for awhile, people playing together in LAN parties at their homes, or just playing with someone else on your internet connection hundreds of miles away. Recently, it has exploded – for the 2018 Call of Duty World League Championships, the winning team will pocket $1.5 million. At the International Dota 2 competition in 2017, it broke the record for the largest prize pool in eSports history at $24 million. The people that are playing these games have become millionaires, but even more so than the people playing these games, the fans watching them have increases every year. In 2016, there was 162 million frequent viewers of online gaming worldwide and that number is expected to increase to over 250 million by 2020.

2k Sports has jumped on the eSports train, creating their own league backed by a professional sporting league, the NBA. This is huge. The inaugural season is this year with qualifying already happening all over the world. After the players qualify, they will get drafted by one of the seventeen teams in the league, and then move the Memphis to be a part of the team. The NBA and 2k18 have gone out of their way to make this as professional as possible, from training facilities, drafts, and even traveling every week to a studio to play their games against other teams.

The NBA 2K League is trying its best to do everything it can to make this is a successful eSports league. The biggest asset that the league has going for it is the fact that both the developer and the NBA are both working together to put the league together, a first for any professional franchise. When I asked Whitaker about the involvement of the league he told me; “It’s huge. Around the world it’s a big thing and for the 2k league it’s great to have the NBA and the game developer involved in this. For the first time, having the professional sports league backing this and making this league go.

The league is putting together practice facilities, creating practice squads in local markets, among other things. They are trying to make this as much like the NBA as they possibly can. After the draft, all the players that Grizz Gaming drafts will be moved to the city of Memphis, put in housing, and paid a considerable salary to compete every week in NBA 2K. The players on the team will be accessible and out in the community just like the players on the Grizzlies roster. Whitaker on the players being in Memphis all the time –

Creating an atmosphere and a culture that where eLeague players are treated how they should be, people who are very talented a sport, will only create more opportunities for younger players down the road.

The best thing that the NBA has done for it’s own 2K league is treat it with the respect it deserves, not putting together something that is half hearted or feels like they should be doing more for it. They have taken this idea of eSports and turned it into something even better for NBA fans and casual eSports fans. For the NBA, they get fans who already tied to most franchises to hopefully become fans of their 2K teams and for eSports, it gives players another way to be successful and have a career doing something that they love.

If the NBA 2K League is successful it could create something entirely different not only for the professional leagues but the way we consume and watch sports. “I think the bigger picture to take away from this, is just because you don’t know about a sport or about this league, or about eSports, just cause you don’t know about something, doesn’t mean it’s not a “thing” or it’s not important to a lot of people.” Whitaker said. If the NBA can find a way to make it profitable and success for the teams and players, will other professional leagues follow behind the NBA?

Will we see a Madden eLeague, or a FIFA eLeague? Only time will tell but for now eSports are here to stay, it’s time for everyone to accept and understand it as a mainstream sport.

 

Source: grizzlybearblues.com

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eSports

TEAM VITALITY UNVEILS A SPECIAL EDITION JERSEY AND NEW CAMPAIGN FOR PERFECT WORLD SHANGHAI MAJOR 2024

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

  • Leading global esports organization Team Vitality heads to China for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, fueled by the ambition to reclaim their place at the top as the world’s best CS2 team.
  • The team will proudly debut the club’s Shanghai Major Limited Edition White Fan Jersey from the Qualification Stage (RMR) onward. Designed in collaboration with Paris-based contemporary artist Nairone, this special edition jersey pays tribute to Counter-Strike and Team Vitality’s dedicated Chinese fanbase.
  • For the occasion, Team Vitality is proud to present a new campaign titled “The Year of Vitality”.

Global esports leader Team Vitality proudly announces its participation in the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024. As one of the most competitive teams in the international esports circuit, Team Vitality is set to make a powerful impact in Shanghai in what promises to be a thrilling tournament.

With anticipation building for this pivotal event in a country full of dedicated Counter-Strike fans, the club will be unveiling a new campaign on its Chinese social media accounts named “The Year of Vitality” This tribute to Chinese culture also underscores the team’s determination to secure a back-to-back victory, solidifying its global dominance.

ALL EYES ON THE TROPHY

Team Vitality’s CS2 roster has consistently delivered strong performances over the past two years, capped by their recent win at Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2024. Having claimed the World Champion title at the BLAST Premier World Finals in 2023 and secured an iconic victory at the BLAST.TV Paris Major, the team has firmly established itself as one of the most dominant forces in competitive CS2. After a conclusive 3-0 qualification at the RMR in Shanghai, Team Vitality is set to reinforce its status on the world stage.

Team Vitality’s dedication to competitive excellence since entering the scene in 2018 has been instrumental in shaping the modern Counter-Strike era. With legends like ZywOo, crowned HLTV’s best player in 2019, 2020, and 2023, and apEx, a seasoned pro with over a decade in the game, the team has set new industry standards in skill, dedication, and leadership. Building on this momentum, Team Vitality is poised to leave a lasting legacy in esports and proudly represent France in Shanghai.

We are thrilled to compete at the Shanghai Major and showcase the team’s hard work against the best teams globally,” says Fabien ‘Neo’ Devide, Chairman and Co-founder of Team Vitality. Growing our global presence and supporting both players and our worldwide community remains a top priority. We’re especially excited for zywOo to deliver a stellar performance in front of our Chinese fans. I am incredibly proud of the team and can’t wait to see them on the big stage with our fans in China!

GEARED UP FOR VICTORY WITH SHANGHAI EDITION OF THE ALTERNATE JERSEY

Team Vitality players will debut a special edition of their newly released Alternate Jersey on the stage, created exclusively for the Shanghai Major. This limited edition features a prominent “V” on the back, with design elements that pay homage to Counter-Strike, Shanghai, and the wider Chinese fanbase. The club released the exclusive jersey in a dedicated video that includes Chinese references, graphics and design.

Crafted in collaboration with Paris-based contemporary artist Nairone, known for his striking black-and-white contrast style, the jersey blends modern streetwear aesthetics with esports flair, making it a standout choice for both fans and players. Team Vitality’s PERFECT video showcases how the 2024 Alternate Jersey can be styled, featuring star players and brand ambassadors, underscoring its unique place in both the fashion and esports worlds.

Available for purchase only online, this special version of the alternate jersey is limited to 150 pieces and costs 89,99€.

TEAM VITALITY UNVEILS ITS NEW CAMPAIGN “THE YEAR OF VITALITY”

Team Vitality is excited to launch “The Year of Vitality,” a campaign celebrating Chinese culture and dedicated to Counter-Strike fans across China. This initiative reflects the team’s relentless pursuit of back-to-back victories on the world stage.

As China hosts this year’s Major, Team Vitality has chosen the dragon—a powerful symbol of ambition and determination—as the emblem of its campaign, representing the team’s commitment to overcoming challenges and dominating the competition. Each campaign visual draws inspiration from Chinese iconography, bringing the Counter-Strike team into this vibrant, culturally rich world.

In a tribute to Chinese tradition, the campaign combines gold and red to signify not only the country’s national colors but also the passion, energy, and unyielding drive to win. The design aims to honor Chinese fans’ enthusiasm and capture their hearts as Team Vitality battles to bring home another title.

Join us online to get behind-the-scenes content, exclusive updates, and the chance to celebrate each milestone with the team as they strive to secure their place at the top!

 

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WEC24: PUBG MOBILE Tournament Concludes with Outstanding Success

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The PUBG MOBILE tournament at WEC24 has officially wrapped up, delivering three days of competition that exceeded all expectations. With 10 out of 16 teams securing Chicken Dinners throughout the tournament, every map brought its own excitement, with the final rounds determining the champions and medal placements. We saw impressive viewership numbers with 776,454 unique viewers achieving 89,675 hours watched throughout the three days of competition.

On the competitive front, the Indonesian team set a WEC24 record by securing a Chicken Dinner with an astonishing 18 eliminations, packing a remarkable 28-point round. 

Turkey stepped up to claim the title of WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions, delivering a fierce, precise performance and seizing the trophy in the final maps, a true champions’ style victory.

Congratulations are also due to Ukraine, who came very close to securing the gold. Consistent and determined to win, they kept fans and their nation on edge until the final rounds, ultimately securing the silver medal. Brazil took home the bronze, showcasing exceptional talent and positioning themselves as strong contenders for future titles.

Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF, praised the athletes, the tournament’s success, and the ongoing collaboration with Tencent: “The PUBG MOBILE tournaments have been one of the highlights of WEC for years now, and our ongoing collaboration and support from Tencent has played a huge role in its success. Congratulations to the medalists and to all athletes participating for their remarkable WEC24 performance.”

Micah Li, Senior Esports Manager at Tencent,  “Congratulations to Turkey on becoming the WEC24 PUBG MOBILE Champions. We greatly value our partnership with IESF and the success we have achieved together over the years. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and delivering many more exceptional PUBG MOBILE tournaments in the future.”

With the PUBG MOBILE tournament concluded, IESF looks forward to further PUBG MOBILE competitions, as national teams from around the world improve year by year.

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eSports

Mortal cements his name as face of Indian gaming, wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at global Esports Awards 2024

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Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, has added another feather to his illustrious cap by winning the coveted ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the Global Esports Awards 2024 Part 2 in Los Angeles on Friday. The grand ceremony saw Mortal triumph over globally renowned gamers like Tarik Celik, Ibai Llanos Garatea, and Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont, solidifying his stature as India’s biggest gamer.

Mortal’s groundbreaking victory marks a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but also for the Indian gaming community at large. The 27-year-old’s illustrious gaming career boasts numerous accolades, including championship titles in BMPS Season 1 (2022) and the PUBG Mobile Club Open (2019) as an esports athlete. He has amassed over 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 5.3 million followers on Instagram through his distinctive and impactful content, making him one of India’s most influential gaming personalities.

Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Naman Mathur aka Mortal, Co-founder, S8UL Esports, stated, “Winning this award is an incredible moment of pride, not just for me but for the entire Indian gaming and esports community. My journey began with a simple passion for gaming, and seeing that passion resonate with millions of people is truly humbling. I hope this achievement inspires more young gamers to chase their dreams and believe that they too can earn global recognition through dedication and hard work. I am deeply grateful to S8UL for being the backbone of my journey. This success is not mine alone- it belongs to every fan, every teammate, and every supporter who believed in me and in the potential of Indian esports.”

This was Mortal’s sixth consecutive nomination at the prestigious awards, a feat achieved by no other Indian gamer. Having been nominated for various categories over the years such as ‘Esports Mobile Player of the Year’, ‘Streamer of the Year’ and ‘Esports Personality of the Year’, Mortal’s victory in this edition is a testament to his immense contribution to growing the esports and gaming content ecosystem in India.

“This award holds a deeply personal meaning for me. Watching Mortal achieve this recognition feels like a shared victory- one that takes me back to where it all began. From the late nights to the sacrifices, every moment has led us here. Together, we’re not just creating history; we’re shaping the future of gaming and esports globally. A victory for him, a milestone for Indian esports!” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.

The Esports Awards is the most prestigious night in esports, dedicated to showcasing top-tier performance and innovation from players, teams, media, hardware providers, games, events, and personalities within the scene.

“When we first started this journey, we had no idea how far it would take us, but we always knew we were in this together. Mortal has always been like a brother to me, and seeing him win this award feels like a personal achievement. For him to be honoured with this accolade today is a reflection of the countless hours, effort and heart we’ve poured into building who we are and what we stand for,” commented Lokesh ‘Goldy’ Jain, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.

Mortal’s achievement reaffirms India’s rise as a formidable force in the global esports and gaming content landscape.

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