Asia
IESF to Host Two-Day World Esports Academia Seminar in Busan
The International Esports Federation will host the World Esports Academia Seminar, a two-day event at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, from November 28 to 29, 2023. The theme of this year’s Seminar is “Socio-cultural challenges in the World of Esports Education” and will support the development of the World Esports industry through academic knowledge and research.
The Seminar will feature keynote speeches from knowledgeable members of the World Esports Family, including Del Rosario University esports professor Mario Andrés Agudelo Padilla, Chinese University of Hong Kong Professor Peichi Chung, Chair of IESF Equity Committee Diana Tjong, NASEF Executive Director Gerald Solomon and more.
NASEF Executive Director and Chair of IESF’s Education Committee Gerald Solomon said:
“IESF could not be more excited to host the World Esports Academia Seminar once again. Together with esports stakeholders from all corners of the world, we will revitalize the relationship between esports researchers and educators. This year’s theme will inspire us all to think outside of the box and unite the World Esports Family. We look forward to the insightful discussions that will take place in Busan.”
The first day of the Seminar will feature four keynote speeches representing different regions around the world. Day one will conclude with a panel discussion entitled “How Can IESF’s Approach to Esports Competition and Education Be Socially and Culturally Sensitive To Global Differences,” moderated by Solomon with panelists Mario Andrés Agudelo Padilla, James Fraser-Murison and more to be announced.
The second will include four workshops to share the value of esports education, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The full schedule can be found below.
Day 1 Keynote Speeches and panel discussions:
- Esports Education in Asia: A Digital Solution and Paradigm Shift: Peichi Chung, Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Esports in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and the Emerging Trends
- How Esports are helping to solve Colombia’s problems through education: Mario Andrés Agudelo Padilla, Esports Professor at Del Rosario University
- European Esports Education: Introducing Essentials Skills for the Modern-Day Workplace: James Fraser-Murison, Director at Fraser Esports
- How Can IESF’s Approach to Esports Competition and Education Be Socially and Culturally Sensitive To Global Differences: Gerald Solomon, Mario Andrés Agudelo Padilla, James Fraser-Murison and more.
Day 2 workshops:
- The IESF x NASEF Scholastic Esports Model: Integrating Competition, Learning and Career Development: Gerald Solomon and Jorrel Batac
- Breaking Barriers – Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Esports: Diana Tjong, Chair of IESF Equity Committee, and Debora Imanuella, Global Senior Vice President & Founder at UniPin & Luna Nera
- Leveling the Playing Field – Addressing Disparities in Esports Opportunities: Diana Tjong, Chair of IESF Equity Committee, and Debora Imanuella, Global Senior Vice President & Founder at UniPin & Luna Nera
- Creating a Safe and Inclusive Esports Environment – Combating Toxicity and Bullying: Diana Tjong, Chair of IESF Equity Committee, and Debora Imanuella, Global Senior Vice President & Founder at UniPin & Luna Nera
IESF continues to use education as a tool to unite the World Esports Family and contribute to the overall growth and development of the industry. IESF recently announced the details for the third annual WE Academia Competition, which called for members of the World Esports Family to submit research papers related to the two chosen research subjects: “Esports Toxicity: The Challenge, Evidence, and Solutions” and “Managing Harassment in Esports – The Role of Accountability and Standards to Address the Harassment.”
Asia
NewCasinoRank Unveils Specifics of Thai New Online Casino Market
NewCasinoRank, a leading website specialising in reviewing new online casinos and covering various aspects of iGaming, has provided an in-depth analysis of the emerging online casino scene in Thailand. As Thailand remains one of the most frequented locations accessing NewCasinoRank, the team is dedicated to delivering precise and relevant information that aligns with the country’s strict gambling regulations.
Gambling in Thailand is heavily regulated under the Gambling Act of 1935, which prohibits most forms of gambling except for the government-run lottery and horse racing. Despite these restrictions, the popularity of online casinos continues to grow, driven by increasing internet accessibility. According to Statista, the online gambling market in Thailand is projected to grow by 5.56% (2024-2028), resulting in a market volume of €628.90m in 2028.
Thai players frequently visit NewCasinoRank to find reliable information on accessible new online casinos that comply with local laws. To meet this demand, NewCasinoRank’s team meticulously curates content that adheres to Thailand’s legal framework, ensuring players have access to safe and trustworthy gaming options.
Chloe O’Sullivan, CasinoRank’s Writer, emphasizes the platform’s commitment: “We highly value our Thai audience and strive to provide up-to-date information on our dedicated Thailand page. This comprehensive resource includes special features of new casino sites in Thailand, the most popular casino game developers in the country, an overview of the average bonus values based on market trends and local currency, and much more.”
Samuel Adeoye, CasinoRank’s Researcher, said: “Speaking of new casinos, sometimes it’s hard to get the most accurate information because the subject is new. Still, we manage to do that by collecting data from reputable open sources and collaborating with trusted casinos that partner with NewCasinoRank. This ensures that our content is both accurate and relevant, providing Thai players with the information they need to make informed decisions.”
Asia
Revenant Esports and Team XSpark Join Forces to Form Revenant XSpark, ScoutOP Revealed as Brand Ambassador
Revenant Esports and Team XSpark, two titans of Indian esports, have announced a strategic merger to create Revenant XSpark. This new super organization is set to redefine the esports landscape, combining the resources, expertise, and dedicated fan followings of both organizations.
United under the Revenant XSpark banner, the collaboration aims to compete in multiple popular esports titles, establish original community IPs, deliver engaging fan activations, drive innovative brand partnerships, and expand internationally.
As part of this joint venture, Revenant XSpark has introduced its BGMI lineup, featuring the lineup of Sarang, Spraygod, Shadow, and Joker, with Osmium serving as the team’s coach. These players recently captured back-to-back victories at the BGMI Pro Series and BGMI India Series, making them the only team in the history of the game to win two official BGMI LAN events.
In addition to its BGMI team, Revenant XSpark has been chosen as one of only 10 partnered organizations by The Pokémon Company to compete in the newly launched Pokémon UNITE ACL India League 2025. Fans can look forward to an exciting roster announcement soon.
ScoutOP Joins as Brand Ambassador, Expanding Revenant XSpark’s Reach
Tanmay “ScoutOP” Singh, a legend in the Indian gaming community with over 10 million followers on social media, has officially joined Revenant XSpark as its brand ambassador.
Scout was the mastermind behind the Team XSpark roster, mentoring and nurturing them to their historical back to back victories in BGMI esports. Now, as the ambassador for Revenant XSpark, Scout will bring his vast following, which not only covers India but also extends internationally, to the united brand.
Commenting on the partnership, Tanmay “ScoutOP” Singh, brand ambassador of Revenant XSpark said, “I’ve known Rohit for a while, and I’ve always been a fan of Revenant’s unique approach to content—it’s witty, filled with banter, but still subtle. It’s exactly the kind of vibe I wanted to bring to XSpark. Beyond that, our shared vision for expanding esports with multiple rosters across India and internationally made this partnership a perfect fit. Joining forces to take the Revenant XSpark name global was a no-brainer for me.”
Rohit Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports, commented, “Scout and I have a strong personal connection, and our brands, Revenant and XSpark, naturally share a similar fan base and values. This partnership feels like an organic next step. Scout’s holistic approach to content, spanning gaming and entertainment across multiple platforms, makes him the perfect ambassador for our brand as we aim to establish Revenant XSpark as India’s leading esports organization and expand our footprint globally.”
To celebrate this partnership, Revenant XSpark, including the BGMI team and ScoutOP, will host an exclusive meet-and-greet event in Mumbai in November, giving fans a chance to interact with their favorite players and ScoutOP himself. Stay tuned to Revenant XSpark’s social media handles for more information.
Revenant XSpark will also be working to build esports IPs. Recently, Revenant Esports also partnered with IPL team, Gujarat Titans, to bring BGMI Titans, an open-for-all esports tournament.
Additionally, Revenant Esports has a strong history within the Indian esports scene, having won the VALORANT Challengers 2024: South Asia – Split 2, to be the lone Indian team in the VCT Pacific Ascension. Furthermore, it is the only esports organization to represent India internationally in the Pokemon UNITE World Championship and the Brawl Stars World Finals.
Asia
NODWIN Gaming partners with Japanese gaming company KONAMI for ‘eFootball Diwali Showdown’
The ‘eFootball Diwali Showdown’, a special influencer tournament organised by NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, and Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (KONAMI), the leading video game developer and publisher from Japan culminated with S8UL Aman being crowned as the champion.
Eight of India’s prominent gaming personalities including Dreamboy, Yes Smarty Pie, Ezio18Rip, Sid, Senpai Spider, K18, Binks, and Aman, competed in both group stage and knockout formats.
In addition to the tournament, KONAMI has also announced special in-game rewards to celebrate Diwali with Indian gamers. Players will have the opportunity to log in to eFootball and earn exclusive Diwali-themed rewards.
This includes unique player packs featuring popular Indian football team stars, giving fans the opportunity to play with homegrown talent while celebrating the festival of lights. Alongside these packs, players can unlock special Diwali-themed jerseys, available only during this festive period.
Tournament participants K18, Senpai Spider, and Yes Smarty Pie will also be streaming the game extensively and hosting matches for fans on an integrated YouTube stream from their individual channels.
These Diwali-focused initiatives are a testament to KONAMI’s commitment to catering to India’s fast-growing mobile gaming market. As a free-to-play title, eFootball provides open access to casual as well as high-level competitive gaming, eliminating any financial and accessibility barriers for gamers from all backgrounds.
Recently, eFootball was selected by FIFA as an official title in the FIFAe World Cup, with India among the 18 countries invited to participate. Additionally, eFootball is also set to be featured in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s WAVES Esports Championship 2025 (WESC), further solidifying its relevance and appeal in India’s gaming landscape.
Earlier this year, Konami announced that eFootball has surpassed 700 million total downloads worldwide.
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