eSports
Tears, Anger and Cheers: ESL and BBC Studios present the esports documentary “Game and Glory”

ESL, an ESL FACEIT Group brand, and BBC Studios, the content company of the BBC, the world’s leading public service broadcaster, proudly present the upcoming esports documentary “Game and Glory”. It will premiere on January 24, 2023, at 5pm CET on ESL CS’ Twitch and YouTube channels. On Twitch, you can watch the premiere together with Gaules and more.
In “Game and Glory” you will discover the personal side of the pro-players Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato, and Casper “cadiaN” Møller. Find out what went through their heads while they were competing at the Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Major Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Follow them on their quest to conquer the biggest title in esports and relive countless intense moments and nerve-racking action. CS:GO-caster Alex “MACHINE” Richardson guides you through “Game and Glory” and gives you an inside look.
“The Rio major was special for many different reasons for many different people,” says Alex “MACHINE” Richardson. “Two years in the making. A crowd like no other. A first tour to remember. On a crucial continent of the counter-strike landscape. A special first time for us all, but certainly not the last!”
“Participating in the documentary was really cool to show a little bit of my family, where I come from, what I did as a kid, what the atmosphere is like in my family when I’m competing, and how things are in general,” says Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato. “It was rewarding to have my family in a documentary that will surely be eternalized. I felt accomplished and, certainly, they did too because after playing for 13 years we didn’t imagine we would reach this point.”
For the documentary “Game and Glory”, BBC Studios captured the spectacular atmosphere of the IEM Rio Major as well as the tremendous support and passion of the on-site fans. From October 31, 2022, until November 13, 2022, EFG hosted its largest CS:GO Major ever with a total prize pool of $1,250,000. It became the most-watched ESL competition and the third most-watched CS:GO competition of all time. During the first two phases of the tournament, 3,500 fans per day came to watch the tournament on-site and during the final four days, 14,000 fans experienced a live atmosphere like no other.
Even if you know who became champion in the end, the movie will captivate you and completely pull you in.
Watch the premiere of the documentary “Game and Glory” on January 24, 2023, at 5pm CET on YouTube, and join our watch parties on Twitch happening at the same time.
For more information, head to BBC Studios, check out the ESL Pro Tour for CS:GO, and stay up-to-date by following ESL CS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
eSports
Gods Reigns unveiled as franchise of Skyesports Masters; star-studded CS:GO roster ready to dominate India’s biggest gaming tournament

Gods Reign, India’s leading Esports organization based in Bangalore, has been announced as a franchise team of the Skyesports Masters, the country’s biggest gaming tournament with its star-studded Counter-Strike:GO (CS:GO) roster gearing up to make waves at the prominent tournament.
Gods Reign has revealed its CSGO roster ahead of the tournament, which is home to some of the title’s biggest stars from the country. Their lineup includes:
- Anshul “KiiLSwitCh” Adarkar – IGL / Support
- Hrishikesh “Crazy_Gamer” Shenoy – Rifler
- Piyush “Clouda” Kalwania – Rifler
- Akash “Ph1NN” Bose – Rifler
- Parijaat “Rev3nn” Banerjee – Awper/ Secondary IGL / Support
The Skyesports Masters is India’s first-ever franchised league with eight teams and is set to begin soon with its League Stage spanning multiple weeks. From here, the top teams will advance to the Skyesports Masters Playoffs, which is set to happen as a LAN event. With a total prize pool of INR 2 crore and some of the biggest names in gaming set to compete, the tournament will be a spectacle for Esports audiences across the country.
Commenting on the development, K.R.Rohith, CEO of Gods Reign stated, “We are incredibly delighted to announce our participation in the biggest Esports tournament. Our organization is committed to contributing to the growth of CS:GO’s ecosystem in the country and Skesports Masters will act as the perfect catalyst for it. The tournament is not just an opportunity to compete with India’s best CS:GO teams, but a chance to showcase the immense potential of Esports and the incredible talent of our team. We believe in the ability of our supremely skilled athletes and cannot wait to show the nation what we’re made of.”
While the team’s notable players including team captain KiiLSwitCh and Crazy_Gamer have represented India on the international stage in CS:GO at the World Esports Championships in 2021 and 2022, star rifler Clouda is part of the team that will be competing to secure their berth in the title at the prestigious tournament this year.
“Representing our organization in this revolutionary tournament is a feeling of great pride for the entire team. All of us will be pouring our hearts and souls into preparing for the league by developing strategies, perfecting our teamwork to excel as a team and improving our individual gameplay. We are looking forward to making our fans proud and proving our mettle against the very best in the game,” said Anshul Adarkar, captain of Gods Reign’s CS:GO team.
Gods Reign will further be making two additions to the team from the open-for-all cafe qualifiers to abide by the Skyesports Masters roster rules. The Skyesports Masters cafe qualifiers are set to happen across 20 Indian cities.
By utilizing their supreme ability and the efficient teamwork, the team will go out with all guns blazing to win the tournament and cement their name as India’s best CS:GO unit.
eSports
S8UL Triumphs in India Qualifiers; Secures Spot at Pokemon UNITE World Championship 2023

Emerging victorious in the coveted Indian qualifiers, S8UL, the country’s premier Esports organization, delivered remarkable performances against renowned Esports outfits and secured their coveted spot in the global finals of the Pokemon UNITE World Championships 2023.
Led by skipper Manmohan Singh (S8UL AllMight), alongside Deep Patel (S8UL • Snowyy), Rudra Narayan Nayak (S8UL • Rex), Adnan Badshah (S8UL.Badshah), and Rahul Lavhate (S8UL • Kyurem), the team exhibited dominant gameplay throughout the tournament, ultimately claiming the prize money of $15,000.
Now poised to compete on the grand stage, S8UL will face off against the world’s most formidable teams at the Pokemon UNITE World Championships, slated to take place in Yokohama, Japan. This highly anticipated tournament boasts an impressive prize pool of USD 500,000.
“We take immense pride in S8UL’s exceptional performance during the India qualifiers, showcasing their resilience by bouncing back from an initial defeat and emerging victorious in all subsequent games. This accomplishment truly embodies our vision of attaining excellence in the title, as the Indian Esports community witnesses substantial growth within the Pokemon UNITE realm. Each team member deserves recognition for their unwavering dedication to mastering the game. We eagerly await the global finals where S8UL will face off against the world’s best,” expressed Animesh Agarwal aka 8bit Thug, Founder and CEO of 8bit Creatives and S8ul Esports.
S8UL’s journey to victory is a testament to their unparalleled teamwork, supreme ability, and unwavering spirit. The five-man roster showcased their dominance by defeating Gods Reign in the semifinals with a close score of 2-1. They continued their remarkable run, triumphing over FS Esports in the grand final with a commanding 2-0 victory.
Commenting on the team’s achievement, team captain Manmohan Singh, also known as S8UL AllMight, expressed his honor in representing India at the World Championships and showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of their team on the global stage. Through tireless analysis of tactics, formulation of new strategies, and pushing the boundaries of their gameplay, they capitalized on the opportunity to dominate the best teams from India.
“S8UL carries the hopes of the nation on its shoulders and strives to make the gaming community proud. Japan, here we come!” stated Manmohan Singh.
The Pokemon UNITE World Championship 2023 will feature a total of 32 teams from around the world, with the winning team securing $100,000 in prize money.
S8UL is determined to bring their A-game to the grand stage and become the first Indian team to win this prestigious tournament.
eSports
MerkurXTIP launches in esports with Oddin.gg

MerkurXTIP, a leading sports betting and gaming operator in Serbia and a member of the German-based Gauselmann family, enters into the world of esports betting through a partnership with Oddin.gg.
As a part of the Merkur Group, MerkurXTIP is committed to providing its customers with a seamless, enjoyable, and innovative multichannel experience. With its strategic entry into the esports market, the operator not only strengthens its position in the industry but also expands its offerings to meet the surging demand for esports betting.
Oddin.gg is the premier B2B provider for operators seeking to integrate cutting-edge esports solutions. By leveraging Oddin.gg’s technology, MerkurXTIP will offer its customers an outstanding esports betting experience with a wide range of markets and competitive odds.
Marek Suchar, Co-founder & Managing Director, Partnerships, at Oddin.gg, says: “We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to MerkurXTIP as they become a part of the Oddin.gg family. The fusion of their extensive knowledge in the sports betting industry and our state-of-the-art esports solutions is poised to generate a great synergy, fostering success for both organizations.”
Nenad Aleksic, Head of Online, at MerkurXTIP, comments: “As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, entering the esports betting market is a natural progression for MerkurXTIP. By partnering with Oddin.gg, we can provide our customers with an exciting way of betting on their favorite esports events. We are confident that this collaboration will be a great success.”
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