Gaming

Arrowhead Game Studios founders invest in the new Swedish gaming catalyst: Mind Detonator

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2021

George Miller

Arrowhead Game Studios invests in Mind Detonator to build the next generation of gaming developers in rural areas

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Building the next generation of gaming developers in rural areas

The founders of Arrowhead Game Studios, the team behind one of the world’s biggest international game successes with the game Magicka, is now investing in the company Mind Detonator whose business concept is to capture talent at a very early stage and build the next generation of gaming developers far from the big cities.

“Mind Detonator is a fantastic initiative that gives us a chance to give back and create an opportunity for more people to be part of a journey equally as fantastic as our own. I really wish there was something similar when we started our business”, says Johan Pilestedt, CEO and founder of Arrowhead.

Mind Detonator is a unique investment in gaming companies in the early stages. It is a combination of local support, local investors and international gaming developers that help each other to create the best conditions for game developers to succeed.

Quality of life and full focus on the game

Mind Detonator has an ambition to open Game Villages in different countries’ rural areas to offer financing for developer teams starting in the Nordic region. They offer opportunities for them to build their games full time, without traditional incubator requirements to learn how to run a business at the same time. Now, the entire working day can be spent creating the game – and in their spare time, teams can recharge and find new energy in the Arctic environment.

“Mind Detonator breaks new ground. In our work to build the Arctic Game Lab, we have looked a lot at incubators and other initiatives to promote growth among gaming developers and come up with our unique solution. We and our partners have found a way forward where the teams we bring in receive basic funding that gives them development time during a full year, housing, studio and the possibility of additional financing after one year combined with the fact that during this time we also take functions in the teams. We believe that this, combined with our and Arrowhead’s network, can lead to game productions that find their audience.” says Lars Lindblom, CEO and founder of Mind Detonator.

In October 2021, our first Game Village in the city of Jörn in northern Sweden opens. An investment that is influenced by the demands of the new age with anti-urbanization and sustainability with a local train station and bus commuting to the ski resort not far away. There in Jörn, five teams with up to five people each will start their journey. It is, however, still possible to apply. In the long run, Mind Detonator aims to open more Game Villages, in other countries, and make at least 15 investments per year.

“Our first step will be to bring in talent and teams from the Nordics to validate the concept, and second step will be to aim for more Game Villages in more countries to be able to help international gaming teams regardless of country” says gaming veteran Michael Stenmark who is now actively working to find talent for Mind Detonator’s first investments.

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eSports

Following Acquisition of an eSports Team & Event Venue Leading Digital Gaming Incubator is using Extensive Community to Educate & Nurture Grassroots Players in eSports Career Opportunities

Published

49 mins ago

March 23, 2023

George Miller

Following Acquisition of an eSports Team & Event Venue Leading Digital Gaming Incubator is using Extensive Community to Educate & Nurture Grassroots Players in eSports Career Opportunities

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ludus, a market-leading digital gaming incubator recently announced a series of acquisitions including eSports team LDN UTD and the first of a series of gaming venues, Ludus Magnus. The rapidly expanding platform is preparing to launch an education programme to educate young people on the opportunities and careers available in eSports as many universities are exploring offering courses in this space.

As one of the fastest-growing industries in the world esports is a complex ecosystem which has proved difficult to navigate for traditional brands, but many see the huge opportunities as leading players in the sector often earn millions each year. However, many organisations have struggled to focus on this particular vertical causing them to lose market share in other areas. The industry is often overlooked and is certainly not seen as a career opportunity in the majority of countries, but many universities and colleges around the world are now considering courses in eSports as the industry becomes more established.

Through continued growth and acquisition, Ludus has consolidated the core verticals within the eSports arena giving the platform the unique opportunity to operate as a single structure. The platform’s primary goal is to bridge the gap between digital and physical gaming and increase accessibility in digital gaming, including extensive education and training courses to develop grassroots talent.

Ludus will continue to invest, operate and deliver gaming solutions from gaming production and development and will also focus on running eSports teams, managing leading gaming venues and educating young players. The team is looking to continue their growth in eSports and is in discussion to acquire other eSports teams. Ludus Magnus is the first of many locations that the incubator plans to launch, and it will offer gamers a safe space to get involved in community gaming.

The firm is built on community and transparency and unlike other gaming platforms, Ludus now offers digital and physical solutions allowing members to maximise their gaming potential and become part of a trusted community of individuals with similar interests.

Daniel Gee, CEO of Ludus, commented, “The team at Ludus are proud to be able to help nurture and educate grassroots players in the opportunities and careers available in eSports. The industry is one of the fastest growing globally and is often overlooked and misunderstood in many countries. It is encouraging to see so many universities are considering launching courses in this space and we are already in discussions with some of them about these courses.

We want to offer gamers digital and physical communities to meet and play for enjoyment whilst making a fair return on their earnings. The social good that platforms are bringing to the gaming world is what is really making them stand out and we want to be at the forefront of this industry.”

eSports

DreamHack Announces Massive Return of “DreamHack Open Feat. Fortnite” With $750,000 Zero Build Circuit Stretching Three DreamHack Festivals– Qualifying Duos To Gamers8 Feat. Fortnite With A $2,000,000 Prize Pool

Published

9 hours ago

March 23, 2023

Hunor Pal

Reading Time: < 1 minute

DreamHack, an international gaming and entertainment festival put on by ESL FACEIT Group, today announced the return of the popular DreamHack Open Featuring Fortnite tournament series. DreamHack San Diego (April 7-9), DreamHack Dallas (June 2-4) and DreamHack Summer (June 16-19) will all feature a $250,000 DreamHack Open Featuring Fortnite Zero Build Duos competition, with the winner of each stop bringing home $30,000 of the pot. The competitions are open to BYOC (LAN) ticket holders and will qualify the top ten Duos from each DreamHack Open tournament to this year’s Gamers8 Featuring Fortnite event.

With the return of Gamers8 Featuring Fortnite, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 6-9, 50 Duos compete for the $2,000,000 prize pool for the final Zero Build tournament in Riyadh this summer. Next to the 30 teams coming from DreamHack Open events we will see the best Duos from the MENA region and some of the world’s largest Fortnite influencers participating. More details will be announced at a later point.

“We had an incredible experience hosting the DreamHack Open Featuring Fortnite both online and in-person events in the past. Thus, we are very excited to announce another year of Fortnite events for our community, especially now that the focus is on Zero Build and teams have a chance to qualify for a massive Gamers8 event” said Brian Krämer, Sr. Director Game Ecosystems – Growth Titles. “To strengthen our connection and involvement in the Fortnite competitive ecosystem is a tremendous opportunity and one that fits perfectly with DreamHack’s focus on bringing the gaming community to life.”

Find out more about DreamHack Open Featuring Fortnite at its official website and on the festival website for DreamHack San Diego, and follow DreamHack on Twitter to get the latest updates. The latest updates on Gamers8 can be found on the official website, on Twitter, and Facebook.

Gaming

BLAST teams up with Fortnite for third year and will operate the entire 2023 Fortnite Champion Series

Published

20 hours ago

March 22, 2023

George Miller

BLAST teams up with Fortnite for third year and will operate the entire 2023 Fortnite Champion Series

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BLAST has teamed up for a third consecutive year with Fortnite, and this year will produce and deliver the entire 2023 Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) with a combined prize pool of $10 million on the line.

As part of the collaboration, BLAST will work with the Competitive Fortnite team to deliver three Majors and bring FNCS to an epic conclusion for the year when the Global Championship takes place in-person from Copenhagen, Denmark in late 2023 with an eye-watering $4 million on the line.

The new FNCS format consists of three Majors played across February and March (Major One), April and May (Major Two) and July and August (Major Three). All three Majors will see the European and North American regions produced and broadcasted from BLAST’s Copenhagen studios with broadcast talent on-site and players playing remotely.

The announcement strengthens and deepens the esports entertainment company’s relationship with Competitive Fortnite, after having delivered the entire 2022 FNCS schedule and the long-awaited return to Fortnite in-person events in Raleigh, North Carolina last November for the FNCS Invitational.

BLAST first teamed up with Fortnite in 2021, when delivering the FNCS All-Star Showdown and FNCS Grand Royale events.

Leo Matlock, MD of Development at BLAST, said: “Extending and expanding the BLAST and Competitive Fortnite partnership into a third year is testament to the brilliant progress that has been made with FNCS over the last few years. We are really proud of the journey we’ve been on with the Competitive Fortnite team and how we have been able to support them in elevating the FNCS fan experience by focusing on player-led storylines and fan-first production techniques. 2023 is turning out to be another thrilling year, Major One has already been completed from the BLAST Copenhagen studios and we’re excited to deliver the remaining three FNCS events with a combined prize pool of $8 million on the line.

“We look forward to building on last year’s unforgettable return to Fortnite in-person events for the FNCS Invitational in Raleigh, North Carolina by bringing the year-defining FNCS Global Championship to our hometown of Copenhagen, Denmark for fans and players to enjoy later this year.”