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Esports fan engagement startup raises $27 Million

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A startup called chiliZ has raised a funding $27 million through private placement. Promoted by poker industry maven Alexandre Dreyfus, it is reportedly a blockchain-based platform that allows fans to crowd-manage sports, mainly esports, teams and organisations.

Alexandre Dreyfus, a quiet man who had carved a niche for himself in poker, is the owner of the largest live poker database Hendon Mob, the Global Poker Index, and more recently the Global Poker League, which changed the game of poker into what it is today, that is, an international gamefied competition. The new startup is the result of his keen interest in two of the fastest growing verticals: Esports and cryptocurrency.

It is being referred to as a blockchain-based platform allowing fans to crowd-manage sports – primarily esports – teams and organisations. Dreyfus took his inspiration for the project from the soccer clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, which are collectively controlled by over 90,000 “socios” and 170,000 “socios,” respectively. These socios are essentially members who democratically elect the clubs’ presidents.

“After speaking to various esports teams, we realized they shared our experience and our frustrations – there were no tools, and there was no way to monetize that fan base,” says Dreyfus. “The solution to the problem was inspired by traditional sports, more specifically the way in which teams like Real Madrid/FC Barcelona, and also the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, were democratically managed by ‘socios’ or fans. We decided to explore and scale this idea to a completely different level thanks to the latest technologies.”

What chiliZ and Dreyfus anticipate is that the esports landscape, in particular, will not only be shaped by the games, teams and leagues that draw the most players and spectators, but by those best able to activate and monetise audiences by giving fans power. Dreyfus believes that fan engagement is the secret sauce to success of esports growth and chiliZ will serve as the engine to tokenise the process of giving fans power, which is where the crypto element comes in.

“Our vision – to build a tokenised voice platform that focuses on a fan-driven experience – is a first for the industry,” says Dreyfus. “While it is disruptive, it does not compete with the existing ecosystem. In essence, it complements the ecosystem, and will ultimately help to shape and grow the industry as a whole.”

Crypto investors in Asia largely put up the $27 million invested in chiliZ to date, according to Dreyfus. His biggest challenge with the raise was based on the prices of many crypto assets falling far from their peaks in the past few months.

“Raising crypto funds in a bear market is actually pretty difficult, but it’s also very exciting, mainly because we believe that we have a very strong business model and utility in the esports space,” adds Dreyfus. “Moreover, many of our crypto investors have invested on a strategic level, and are helping to further build our initiative.”

Source: inc.com

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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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eSports

The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!

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The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.

This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the

Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.

The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:

  • (R)Evolution in Esports
  • East Meets West
  • Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
  • The Rise of International Esports Competitions
  • (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.

Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.

These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.

Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.

Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.

To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration

See you in Busan!

 

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