Latest News
AMIQUS & Ukie’s #RaiseTheGame launch new EDI Platform, Empower Up
Award-winning specialist games recruitment agency Amiqus and Ukie’s #RaiseTheGame initiative have today launched Empower Up, a comprehensive platform to equip games companies of all sizes with the knowledge, frameworks, guidance and resources they need to establish, improve or grow their Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) policies, practices and processes.
Empower Up is suitable for all games companies, wherever they are on their EDI journey. For those looking to gain more understanding about what EDI is and why it’s important, the Intro To EDI section provides an overview. It also provides a summary of different Diversity Characteristics and Under-Represented Groups, along with some specific advice and guidance on each.
At the heart of Empower Up is a practical Health Check tool that enables games companies to benchmark where they are on their EDI journey. This will then signpost those companies and individuals to specific areas of the website where they can gain relevant advice and actionable steps on how to move forwards.
The EDI Journey section provides just that information and guidance, covering a number of areas, including:
- Getting Started
- Your Workplace Culture
- Recruitment & Hiring
- Staff Development & Retention
- Marketing & Communications
- Accessibility & Representation
- Activities & Outreach
- Legal Requirements
Meanwhile, a Resources section will provide inspirational Case Studies from studios already doing great work in EDI; a Directory of EDI organisations and initiatives; and a Glossary of Terms area. News and Events will also be regularly updated.
Studios and individuals are encouraged to sign up to become Empower Up Members, which will provide additional benefits, namely:
- Take the Health Check and save results, allowing you to monitor your progress
- Access to informative Case Studies from other games businesses and organisations
- Bookmark articles to save in your personal Reading List
- Downloadable resources, such as document and policy templates
- Receive a monthly newsletter
- VIP invitations to Empower Up events
Empower Up is a not-for-profit, industry-led platform from Amiqus and #RaiseTheGame.
Amiqus is headed up by Business Manager Liz Prince. With 20 years industry experience as a woman in games, she is also the force behind the G Into Gaming campaign, a pro bono initiative to drive more diversity and promote gender balance in the games industry. She is also a Women in Games Ambassador and a regular speaker on EDI topics at industry events. She said:
“There are many studios and employees who know that making their organisations a more inclusive, equal and welcoming place is the right thing to do – but often they just don’t know where to start, or how to progress. That is where the idea for Empower Up was created. There are some brilliant organisations and initiatives out there, but nothing that pulls everything together in one place to help studios to take actionable steps in this area. Empower Up has been a real labour of love, and we’re really proud and happy that it’s now ready to help games companies in the UK push forward with their EDI efforts.”
Ukie’s #RaiseTheGame initiative aims to get games businesses of all sizes to pledge to improve EDI through diverse recruiting practices, building inclusive working environments and representing voices in their games. Dom Shaw is the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator for Ukie, as well as managing #RaiseTheGame. He said:
“It’s really exciting to see Empower Up come to life, and we thank both Amiqus and our leading #RaiseTheGame partners for supporting this important project. We want the games industry to be a more diverse and inclusive community, in which people from all backgrounds are welcome, valued and can flourish in their careers. Empower Up exists to empower organisations and individuals in the UK games industry to take their EDI knowledge and practices to the next level, through measurable and actionable steps. We look forward to seeing it in action in studios around the UK.”
Latest News
BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25
BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25
- BLAST to start hosting regular Dota 2 tournaments in 2024/25
- First studio event to take place in November 2024
- BLAST.tv will become new home of Dota 2 esports, platform will allow fans to tailor their viewing experience, get closer to the action and impact the entertainment unfolding before their eyes
Esports entertainment company BLAST has revealed plans to enter Dota 2 with a full schedule of events to be rolled out in 2024/25. BLAST will become the new home of Dota 2 esports through arranging a tournament series focused on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments.
The tournament organiser will host a first Dota 2 studio event in November, ahead of four events taking place in 2025. The full extent of the new Dota 2 tournament series will be revealed in the summer, where further information on format, prize pool and locations will be shared.
Andrew Haworth, VP of Ecosystems, Valve & Riot Games, said: “We are delighted to be entering Dota 2 and have plans for BLAST to bring a new level of production and excitement that Dota fans haven’t seen before. It’s a game we love as fans and players, we’ve been following closely as an interested tournament organiser for the last few years. As we’ve grown as a business and expand into further titles, Dota has always been on our wish list.
With the recent changes to the Dota ecosystem we feel it’s the perfect opportunity for BLAST to come in, provide the community with the next level of tournaments and become the new home of Dota 2.
“BLAST prides itself on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments while bringing together the very best teams and biggest superstars to fight it out for glory on the server. We look forward to bringing this approach to the world of Dota 2 and providing fans with the best esports entertainment on offer.”
This strategic move marks a significant expansion of BLAST’s tournament portfolio, further diversifying its offerings beyond its successful ventures in Fortnite (FNCS), Rocket League (RLCS), Counter-Strike, and Rainbow Six Siege.
BLAST.tv, a custom made esports live viewing platform, will add Dota 2 to its offering meaning fans will be able to enjoy a tailor made competitive esports viewing experience and platform. Fans will never miss a key moment of the action with the BLAST.tv interactive timeline feature, which catalogues standout highlights to be replayed instantly on the playback timeline.
The platform has a custom built video player with 4K capabilities and a moderated live chat feature that will enable fans to connect with a like-minded community, where fans will be able to impact the events unfolding before their eyes through interactive polls.
Outside of the live experience, BLAST.tv will be a one-stop-shop for Dota 2 esports fans. Providing them with the latest player stats, team standings, mini-games, news and exclusive content and experiences.
Sign up to BLAST.tv for all the latest news, updates and BLAST’s future plans for Dota 2.
Latest News
Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards
SolutionsHub’s Head of Compliance, Emma Shilling, has been recognised at the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards, winning the prestigious Visionary Compliance Leader Award. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence within the compliance landscape.
The 2024 Women in Leadership Awards celebrate excellence in leadership by meticulously evaluating outstanding individuals and organisations. Through a rigorous selection process based on comprehensive standards, these awards recognise impactful contributions.
This award is a testament to Emma’s remarkable achievements and her leadership excellence, specifically in eGaming compliance. As a compliance leader, she has consistently demonstrated visionary thinking, dedication to sustainability, and a passion for responsible gambling practices within the online gambling industry.
SolutionsHub Director Nick Wright, said “We are very proud of Emma. Her strategic vision, dedication to pragmatic and ethical compliance, and pursuit of excellence underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and innovation.
“This award reinforces Emma’s reputation as a compliance leader and enhances her credibility within our industry and beyond.”
In response to receiving this award Emma said “I would like to thank those that nominated me and the judges for this honor. To be recognised with this award is immensely satisfying for me personally and a testiment to our teams collective commitment to innovation while furthering responsible gambling practices and maintaining the highest standards of compliance.”
SolutionsHub, a leading compliance consultancy, specialises in tailoring comprehensive solutions for Isle of Man-licensed eGaming businesses. With a seasoned team of industry veterans and former regulators at the helm, SolutionsHub ensures that businesses maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in the often challenging online gambling sector.
Emma Shilling is Head of Compliance at SolutionsHub, where she leads the compliance team in delivering bespoke compliance solutions for Isle of Man licensed eGaming businesses.
Note: The Women in Leadership Awards are organized by EMG Publishing Group and recognise exceptional female leaders across various sectors.
eSports
ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project
The Legendary Counter-Strike Star’s Educational Program Will Offer 60+ Tutorials and Exclusive FACEIT Features To Help Players Up Their Game.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and renowned Counter-Strike player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev today announced a partnership with Play Like s1mple Project – an educational video series designed to change how players approach mastering Counter-Strike 2.
The program will include more than 60 interactive sessions, with a focus on in-game skill development and strategy as well as out-of-game topics such as career advancement. The program aims to empower gamers of all levels to unlock their full potential in Counter-Strike 2.
“We’re thrilled to launch the Play Like s1mple Project and provide gamers with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business,” said s1mple. “Whether you’re a casual player looking to improve your skills, better understand the game, and achieve a champion mindset or a great pro aiming to take your game to the next level, this program has something for everyone. I wish someone could have shared these skills with me when I just started my journey in CS.”
Play Like s1mple Project will bring the comprehensive educational program to the global gaming audience in partnership with FACEIT, the leading community platform for online PvP play. FACEIT has been the home of competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade and will now offer a suite of educational programming that supports the in-game learning experience it offers for casual players and aspiring pros alike. Through this collaboration, Play Like s1mple Project participants will gain exclusive access to FACEIT’s premium features and exclusive on-platform content.
“s1mple’s success, longevity in Counter-Strike and legacy with FACEIT, makes him uniquely qualified to help our global community learn and master their game at the highest level of competition. ” said Fabio Floris, President, Digital Platforms, ESL FACEIT Group. “Viewers will not only pick up the intricacies of top-tier CS, but also insights on what it takes to break into the industry in other ways, including as caster, talent manager, and more.”
Key features of the Play Like s1mple Project include:
- Unmatched Talent: s1mple, possibly the greatest player in Counter-Strike history, will share his expertise and practical knowledge.
- Legendary Experience: Comparable to legends like Jordan or Messi, s1mple will share secrets and best practices developed over more than a decade of play.
- Career Development Resources: Gain insights into the esports industry and learn how to turn your passion for gaming into a successful career with guidance from industry experts.
FACEIT Community Support:
- Join a community of gamers and CS enthusiasts.
- Get tips and strategies directly from s1mple
- Connect with like-minded individuals worldwide.
Exclusive Content and Competitions:
- Access premium content.
- Participate in tournaments for the community.
- Have personal communication with s1mple and other top players, providing unparalleled insights into the world of professional gaming.
Registration for the Play Like s1mple Project will open May13 with limited spots available. Visit playlikes1mple.com for more information, and follow All Stars Promo on Twitter or Instagram. For more information on the FACEIT platform, check out eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.
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