Connect with us
SOFTSWISS

eSports

The Global Esports Federation turns two, and what an epic ride it has been

Published

on

The Global Esports Federation turns two, and what an epic ride it has been
Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

When the Global Esports Federation (GEF) was launched in 2019, one of its goals was to marry the fast-growing esports world with values often tied to traditional sport.

Esports was already the fastest growing sport in 2019, with revenue over US$1 billion and a worldwide reach of close to 500 million. With its massive reach and widespread appeal among the young, esports is seen as a gateway to connecting with the youth of the world.

What then, could a new esports organization bring? As it turns out, plenty.

For starters, the GEF celebrates its second anniversary just as the inaugural edition of the Global Esports Games (GEG), its flagship event, prepares for a highly-anticipated opening in Singapore.

The GEF’s journey over the past two years has also seen it expand the reach of esports globally while championing causes often overlooked by the larger esports world.

Promoting diversity

Female representation has long been an issue in esports. The lack of opportunities for women to play at major events and an overwhelmingly male-dominated executive workforce both at esports global companies and international bodies often meant that the interest of women in esports was often overlooked.

But the GEF made sure to address this.

For its inaugural edition of the GEG, the GEF set the tone of its flagship event by ensuring that it had a women’s category. Teams Paraguay, Mongolia and Great Britain emerged through regional qualifiers to earn the right to battle it out for Dota 2 supremacy alongside hosts Singapore. GEG 2021 will also be the first major international tournament to feature an all-women Dota 2 category.

In the boardroom, the GEF has also led the way. In two years, it has increased women representation at the GEF, edging toward 40%.

Said Chris Chan, president of the GEF: “The GEF was founded on the principle that everyone in the gaming world should be considered equals and it is why we have always pushed for an inclusive esports and youth culture.

“The beauty of esports is that color, gender, race and how affluent someone is don’t factor in. When you interact virtually, it doesn’t matter what your background is.

“And that is the culture we want to foster with our #worldconnected movement. Esports is universal, and it should be something everyone can experience and enjoy.”

Championing inclusivity

Central to fostering diversity is the need to be more inclusive. And that is where the GEF has also made significant inroads, especially with promoting esports and events in the Middle East.

While esports had made tremendous strides in the dominant markets of Europe, North America and Asia, elite-level, international events are still in its infancy in the Arab world.

The GEF brought two events to the Middle East in its inaugural Global Esports Tour, which opened in Los Angeles in September 2021, before moving to Riyadh in October and Dubai in November.

Aptly, the United Arab Emirates became the 100th Member Federation to join the GEF in August 2021. To date, the GEF has 105 Member Federations.

For the 18-19 December GEG world finals, which will feature over 100 esports athletes from over 40 countries, the GEF has taken the extra step of assembling a Team #worldconnected — which brings athletes of different backgrounds, including those who represent the refugee community, people with disabilities, wounded servicemen and women, and other underserved communities.

Among the athletes in Team #worldconnected is Roby Hormis, a former refugee from Iraq who is now based in the Netherlands. He will compete in eFootball alongside Brazil-born Yuri “Yuri_FPOLIS” Andrade, who now resides in the United States.

And for the pair, initiatives like Team #worldconnected are what makes the GEF a refreshing addition to the global esports ecosystem.

Said Yuri_FPOLIS: “For me, just inviting people from all around the world, from different backgrounds, is a big step to making esports something the whole world can enjoy. It’s awesome and that is something amazing that the GEF is doing.”

Inclusivity is, however, not confined to the athletes.

As part of the Singapore 2021 GEG, GEFCon will bring together thought leaders in esports, sports, technology, and entertainment to explore topical issues facing the industry such as the role of fintech in esports, the future of entertainment, and how organizations are moving from sponsorship to partnership.

There is also the GEFestival, a two-week virtual celebration of esports in the build-up to GEG 2021. It features community gaming, music and entertainment for the gaming communities of the world.

As with any organization, the formative years are crucial. It is where one builds stability and strong roots to form a firm foundation for growth. With a strong base, already established in its first two years, the global esports community can look to many more initiatives that will excite and positively impact esports.

Among the initiatives on the horizon are the expanding of the GEF’s presence in the metaverse with its partnership with 888 The New World, and an exciting line-up of Global Esports Tour and GEG 2022 as the flagship event moves to Istanbul, Turkey.

Said GEF CEO Paul J. Foster: “Just like the dynamic industry that is esports, the GEF also needs to constantly evolve and innovate to cater to an ever-changing target audience and market.

“But as we look to strengthen and add to the many initiatives and partnerships we had built in our first two years, our ethos of bringing inclusivity and celebrating diversity in esports will always remain central to what we do.”

eSports

Oddin.gg has entered into an exclusive multi-year data partnership with premier esports tournament organizer, PGL

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Building on the exceptional viewership of the PGL Major Copenhagen, which ascended to the third-most watched event in Counter-Strike history, PGL and Oddin.gg have agreed their strategic alliance through a substantive multi-year agreement.

This extension reinforces Oddin.gg’s position as the exclusive provider of Data & Integrity services for PGL’s premium Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 events, underscoring Oddin.gg’s ascendancy as a pivotal force in the esports official data sphere.

The scale and caliber of esports content under this partnership have catapulted Oddin.gg to the forefront as a major data authority. The success of this collaboration is a testament to the synergy between Oddin.gg and one of the most impactful tournament organizers in the competitive gaming arena.

The extended multi-year pact encompasses a minimum of eight Dota 2 headline events along with a minimum of eleven Tier 1 Counter-Strike 2 tournaments. These competitions will feature the elite of global teams, competing for prize pools of at least USD 1 million each, promising to further elevate the profile of this flourishing partnership.

Marek Suchar, Co-founder & Managing Director of Partnerships at Oddin.gg, enthusiastically speaks on the extended partnership: “Our commitment is to affiliate with the premier entities in esports, and PGL stands out as a peak of excellence within the tournament circuit.

Their team has masterfully orchestrated the top three most-watched Counter-Strike and the two most-watched Dota 2 tournaments in history. With the dynamic evolution expected in 2025, we are both excited and privileged to align with PGL’s visionary path for the esports community to support, protect and entertain esports fans. This partnership is a strategic step towards enhancing the global esports experience, and we eagerly anticipate the groundbreaking advancements PGL will introduce for Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 in the years ahead.”

Silviu Stroie, CEO of PGL, shares his perspective on the alliance’s growth: “At PGL, our core mission is to craft the ultimate esports experience on a global scale. Independence, innovation, and integrity are the pillars we stand on, promoting fairness and sustainability within the esports world. In Oddin.gg, we’ve found an ally that resonates with our ethos, making them the ideal partner as we forge ahead. Our ongoing partnership solidified through a multi-year contract, echoes our mutual commitment to the community of esports. With Oddin.gg’s unmatched data and integrity expertise, we’re elevating our tournaments beyond mere excitement to meet the highest benchmarks of fairness. United, we are on a quest to curate unrivaled esports events, propelling this dynamic industry toward a vibrant and thrilling future.”

The renewed alliance with Oddin.gg arrives at a transformative juncture for PGL, marking a significant expansion in their annual event roster. This strategic development is timed with the enactment of new regulations starting January 1st, 2025, which mandate the separation of tournament organizers from teams. These guidelines are set to foster a more competitive and varied landscape for Counter-Strike 2 tournaments, ensuring a level playing field and circumventing any potential conflicts of interest.

This partnership renewal covering 2024 to 2026 underscores the commitment to these principles, promising an array of thrilling competitive spectacles in the years to come. It signals a fresh epoch for PGL events, championed by the upcoming Wallachia tournament in May 2024, which will serve as the inaugural event under this new agreement. The Wallachia event is just the beginning, heralding a series of tournaments designed to captivate the global audience with unparalleled competitive narratives and a showcase of elite talent, reinforcing PGL’s status as a trailblazer in the esports domain.

 

Continue Reading

eSports

DATA.BET offers streaming videos collaborating with Bayes Esports

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The provider is reshaping esports content distribution with its new Bayes Esports video streams

DATA.BET, a reliable supplier of esports betting solutions, now delivers a tool that elevates the viewing experience on operators’ platforms in collaboration with Bayes Esports, the leading supplier of official esports live data, services, and products.

The introduction of video streams from a trusted source represents a significant step in addressing the challenges in content distribution for popular disciplines, such as CS2 and Dota 2. Approximately 90-97% of esports events are broadcasted through Twitch. However, the platform generally has delays that can reach up to 2 minutes, equal to a round in CS2, leading to an outdated viewing experience.

“Our live streams with reduced latency mark a significant milestone in esports betting development,” stated Alex Kozachenko, Chief Product Officer at DATA.BET. “In a strong partnership with Bayes Esports, we deliver our clients and their users a faster, more reliable alternative to conventional streaming platforms, ensuring an immersive and authentic viewing experience.”

Bayes Esports’ video streams offer a solution for minimizing delays by providing official broadcasts directly from tournament organizers, serving as a “source of truth” for esports streaming content. The integration of this streaming feature also presents new opportunities for operators to increase retention and enhance their services by incorporating branding and marketing campaigns directly into the streams.

“Our partnership with DATA.BET unlocks new avenues for platform engagement,” commented Amir Mirzaee, CCO and Managing Director of Bayes Esports. “In an industry where user satisfaction is essential, providing operators access to high-quality, low-delay tournament broadcasts is a game-changer. It enables them to provide unique content and enhance the overall betting experience, fostering deeper connections with their audience and driving sustained growth. Official, low delay video feeds are a sure way to identify the respective official data offerings for users and a way to make sure that their engagement benefits the esports ecosystem.”

 

Continue Reading

eSports

TEAM VITALITY TO SET FIRE TO THE TEKKEN 8 SCENE WITH SOUTH KOREAN PLAYER JEONDDING

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Team Vitality, Europe’s leading esports organisation, is back on the fighting game scene with the latest instalment of the famous franchise TEKKEN. Following the release of the eighth edition of the renowned game earlier this year, the French club now welcomes TEKKEN 8 player “Jeondding” to the hive. This expansion strengthens the organisation’s presence in South Korea, reaching a new milestone on its mission to dominate the international stage.

JEONDDING MAKES DEBUT WITH TEAM VITALITY AT EVO JAPAN 2024

Jeon “Jeondding” Sanghyeon stands as a formidable player in the competitive TEKKEN 8 scene, boasting several successes and titles to his name. Recently, Jeondding ranked amongst the top two players in the Tekken 7 World Tour Grand Finals 2022 and top eight in 2023. His dominance also extends beyond the global stage, as in the same year, he emerged as the champion in both the VSFighting XI 2023 and CEO 2023 tournaments.

Recognised for his distinctive gameplay style, Jeondding has become widely known for his mastery of often overlooked characters in competitive play, such as ‘Eddy Gordo’. His ability to excel with these characters has earned him esteemed recognition within the fighting game community. Jeondding will continue to showcase his skills with ‘Eddy Gordo’ as he represents Team Vitality at EVO Japan, marking his debut on the international stage with the team from April 27th to 29th.

Beyond his skill, Jeondding’s charm shines through in LAN events. His charismatic presence strikes a perfect balance between competitive performance and entertainment, engaging fans worldwide. A passionate sports fan himself, Jeondding recognises the power of fans, electrifying the atmosphere wherever he competes!

“When I first got contacted by Team Vitality, I couldn’t believe it! I wondered if I could join a huge team like this, and now that dream has come true. While exchanging with the organisation, I started to get to know more and more about the identity of the club, watching their videos on their YouTube channel, their trophees… and it gave me goosebumps. I want to grow with this club, continue to be a great player and bring new titles on Tekken 8 for Team Vitality!” explains Jeon “Jeondding” Sanghyeon

REACHING A NEW MILESTONE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE BEFORE ESPORTS WORLD CUP

With the latest addition of Tekken 8, Team Vitality expands its competitive game titles to eight, along with ten rosters across male and female esports circuits under its banner. This addition not only solidifies the French club’s foothold in South Korea but also marks the organisation’s return to the fighting game community. Jeondding’s participation in key international events further strengthens Team Vitality’s commitment to tackling the global esports scene, with appearances slated for TEKKEN 8 tournaments at EVO Japan, Evo and CEO.

“I’m thrilled to announce our return to the fighting game scene with TEKKEN 8. We’re especially excited to debut alongside the highly respected and renowned player Jeondding. With this title, we hope to expand Team Vitality’s fan base as we embrace the passionate fighting game community! This new game also strengthens our presence overseas, adding enormous value to Team Vitality’s journey towards international domination.“ explains Fabien “Neo” Devide, Co-founder and President of Team Vitality.

Team Vitality’s international expansion is accelerated by the multiplication of top-level international competitions, including the much-anticipated Esports World Cup in the summer of 2024. Tekken’s welcome to the Team Vitality teams marks the first part of the announcements linked to this competition. With its performance-based DNA, Team Vitality is adding another string to its bow to win new titles on the international scene.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Alpha Affiliates
Advertisement

EveryMatrix

Advertisement

SaaS-builder for partner program development and performance marketing optimization

Advertisement

Launch your iGaming business swiftly and effortlessly with our comprehensive turnkey solutions

Advertisement

LEADING AFFILIATE MARKETING SHOW

Trending

Get it on Google Play

EuropeanGaming.eu is a premier online platform that serves as a leading information hub for the gaming and gambling industry. This industry-centric media outlet reaches over 200,000 readers monthly, providing them with compelling content, the latest news, and deep-dive insights.

Offering comprehensive coverage on all aspects of the gaming sector, EuropeanGaming.eu includes online and land-based gaming, betting, esports, regulatory and compliance updates, and technological advancements. Regular features encompass daily news articles, press releases, exclusive interviews, and insightful event reports.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant virtual meetups and conferences, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - European Gaming is part of HIPTHER. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.