eSports
DreamHack reveals EU expansion with the launch of DreamHack Stockholm for 2024
DreamHack, an ESL FACEIT Group brand is set to break new ground in 2024 as it enters Stockholm, the gaming capital of Scandinavia. The festival, which originated in Sweden back in 1994, welcomes gamers from all over the world to Stockholmsmässan on November 22-24, 2024.
Having toured numerous Swedish cities and hosted events worldwide, from San Diego to Melbourne, India, and Tokyo, DreamHack has entranced a global gaming community since its inception. This new chapter, entering the gaming capital of Scandinavia, brings the festival full circle on its home turf, becoming the must-visit gaming destination of the year.
“Bringing DreamHack to Stockholm is not just another expansion, it’s a personal mission. Gaming simply belongs here. We’re weaving a new thread in the city’s cultural tapestry, celebrating the unique spirit that makes gaming in Stockholm so special. From content creators & talented cosplayers to the newest games & hardware and best esports, we’re creating an arena for everyone to celebrate their community”, says Shahin Zarrabi, Vice President of Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group.DreamHack Stockholm is poised to elevate the festival gaming experience, building upon the foundations laid by its predecessors, with international connections and a major venue. The city, known for its status as one of the highest video game-exporting hubs per capita, has played a pivotal role in birthing iconic titles such as Minecraft, Battlefield, and Candy Crush. These games, born from the phenomenon known as “det svenska spelundret” (the Swedish gaming wonder), have captivated the global gaming community and reached hundreds of millions of players worldwide. The venue, Stockholmsmässan, is the largest exhibition facility in the Nordic region.
”I am very pleased to welcome DreamHack to Stockholm in 2024. DreamHack brings together gamers from different corners of the globe promoting cultural exchange and entrepreneurship. This festival holds a significant importance for Stockholm and underscores its pivotal role in the global gaming community and the game development industry. Our city has more game developers per capita than anywhere else in the world, and is a creative hotspot where esport, tech, music and fashion intersect. This is an important step in reinforcing Stockholms reputation as a welcoming and progressive destination for the gaming community”, says Staffan Ingvarsson, CEO Stockholm Business Region.
“We are excited to host DreamHack Stockholm at Stockholmsmässan in November next year. To host a festival that sparks the interest of young people in gaming and esports activities is significant and it is a fantastic opportunity to welcome not only those who already are interested in gaming but also to welcome and create interests for new participants. Since esports and gaming as live events are growing in Sweden and globally, we are happy to welcome such a festival to Stockholm and Stockholmsmässan”, says Christian Clemens CEO at Stockholmsmässan.
Teaming up with various partners and organizations, including returning presenting partner Elgiganten, DreamHack Stockholm is set to transcend the realm of gaming, embracing various facets of the entertainment industry. The festival, known for its diverse offerings, aims to expand its reach and build on past successes at DreamHack Winter, which has previously included live music acts, collaborations with Swedish tech partners, and film nights. The gaming and lifestyle festival provides attendees with a unique opportunity to not only play and compete but also to connect with their favorite content creators and engage with their communities whilst tapping into the rich gaming heritage of Stockholm and joining the ranks of prestigious events previously hosted in the city. From the FIFA World Cup to the Olympics, Eurovision, and more, DreamHack will, rightfully, stand alongside giants, ready to make its mark on Stockholm’s event landscape. The events strive to cover multiple aspects, creating an immersive experience for attendees.
“Our multiyear partnership with DreamHack is one of our most important investments into the Gaming community. It’s also a partnership that we are very passionate about. Gaming brings people together, and with this new festival in Stockholm, it will become even easier for people to gather and enjoy the amazing experience that DreamHack has to offer. We look forward to DreamHack Stockholm 2024 and will do our best to bring it to the next level together with the team at EFG”, says Alexander Åberg, Gaminglead at Elgiganten.
Gaming will remain a key aspect of DreamHack Stockholm, and its location in the heart of Sweden aims to attract visitors from across the country and Europe. Front and center are the attendees themselves as they dive into the immersive experience, engage with their favorite content creators, play games with or against each other, and immerse themselves in various esports competitions, both as players and spectators, as the festival celebrates all corners of the industry. Amongst all of this, the world-famous LAN party will, of course, also be featured in a dedicated hall of its own.
Stockholm will be the second festival stop for DreamHack in Sweden, whilst Jönköping will continue to serve as the perfect backdrop for DreamHack Summer on June 14-16.
eSports
Red Bull Media House Announces Global Premiere of Counter-Strike Documentary ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’
- Emmy Award-winning Red Bull Media House-produced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) documentary is set to premiere on 4 December
- ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ features personal insights from legendary talent, including Casper “cadiaN” Møller, Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, Alexandre “gAuLeS” Borba and more
- Fans can tune in via Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube channel
Red Bull’s deep dive into the glory years of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) continues with the announcement of ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’, a brand new documentary set to premiere globally on 4 December 2024.
Produced by Emmy Award-winning Red Bull Media House, the new feature-length film closely follows 2024’s ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Early Years’, which charted the origins of one of the world’s most influential games from its grassroots beginnings to its evolution as a global esports phenomenon. Continuing the saga, ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ chronicles an emotional journey from the perspective of its key protagonists, recalling the thrilling rise of Team Liquid as Team Astralis’ reign falls, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the way to Team Vitality’s victory at the last-ever CS:GO Major.
Hosted by Freya “Freya” Spiers, the brand new 90-minute film features personal accounts from iconic figures including Astralis’ trio of Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, Casper “cadiaN” Møller, Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, as well as Team Liquid’s Jonathan “Elige” Jablonowski and Jordan “n0thing” Gilbert. As it explores fierce rivalries, pivotal roster changes that changed the course of CS:GO history, and the perseverance, teamwork and passion that forged the game’s legends, ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ also delves into the fierce dedication of the Brazilian community with Alexandre “gAuLeS” Borba and Wilton “zews” Prado, looking back at Brazil’s first-ever Major.
‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ is a sweeping tale of toil, triumph, and teamwork that offers an insightful look into the remarkable trajectory of CS:GO and the unwavering support and dedication of its community. It’s scheduled to premiere December 4, 2024 via Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube channel.
Event Details:
- What: Premiere of “Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years”
- When: December 4th, 2024
- Where to watch: Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube Channel
eSports
Guilhoto to lead GIANTX in the LEC
The Portuguese head coach signs a two-year deal to guide GIANTX in Europe’s top esports league and aim for the Worlds. Guilhoto embarks on his third tenure with the organization and returns to the LEC after reaching two finals.
Nico Perez and Emi complete the coaching staff
André Guilhoto will be the head coach of GIANTX in the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), Europe’s premier esports league. Guilhoto returns to the organization to replace Christophe ‘Kaas’ van Oudheusden and lead its League of Legends international project. His goal is to qualify the team for the Worlds. He has signed a two-year contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Guilhoto (Portugal, 1994) returns to both GIANTX and the LEC. Between 2018 and 2020, he coached several teams in the European league, including reaching two finals with Schalke 04 and Origen. He entered the European scene after winning the Spanish league with GIANTX, then known as Giants Gaming.
After his time in the LEC, he coached in North America with Immortals and Team Liquid. In 2023, he returned to Málaga to work with Giants, which later merged with British club Excel to form GIANTX. In 2024, he coached in the Superliga with CASE Esports and Team Heretics, where he won the Spanish championship.
Guilhoto is one of the most experienced head coaches in the scene and a well-known figure within the Spanish-speaking League of Legends community. GIANTX announced his return with a video confirming his new role as head coach.
GIANTX looks to Guilhoto to improve its results in the LEC. The team finished eighth in the winter and spring splits and reached the summer season finals, but missed out on qualifying for the Worlds. The organization aims to achieve this goal with Guilhoto leading the coaching staff.
Joining Guilhoto in Berlin, the home of the LEC, are assistant coach Nico Perez (France, 1998) and strategic coach Emanuel Ursachi ‘Emi’ (Romania, 1995). Nico spent the last year with GIANTX, first as head coach in the Superliga and then as assistant coach in the LEC. Emi, now in his second tenure with the company, will serve as the strategic coach.
The LEC season begins on January 18, 2025. GIANTX will announce the roster under Guilhoto’s leadership in the coming days.
Asia
AMD Announces GameOn 2024: Nationwide Counter-Strike 2 Tournament Offers ₹300,000 Prize, Culminates in Hyderabad
AMD, a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, has unveiled the AMD GameOn 2024, an open-for-all esports tournament for Counter-Strike 2 with a total prize pool of INR 300,000. The Main Event of the AMD GameOne 2024 is set to take place at IndiaJoy 2024 Asia’s premier media and entertainment congregation, in the HICC, Novotel, Hyderabad on Nov. 16 and 17.
Commenting on the tournament, Pramit Khanna, Channel Marketing Manager DIY and Gaming, AMD India said, “As one of the leaders in the computing space, we have been supporting India’s esports ecosystem since day 1, and the AMD GameOn 2024 is another such IP for esports enthusiasts. The open-for-all format ensures every gamer has a chance to compete in the pan-India tournament and make it to the LAN in Hyderabad. I wish the best of luck to all participants and can’t wait to welcome the four finalists in Hyderabad.”
The AMD GameOn 2024 began with the open qualifiers, where the registered teams competed for slots to the Closed Qualifiers. The Closed Qualifier, with 8 total teams, has wrapped up, confirming the four finalists for the AMD GameOn 2024 Main Event at IndiaJoy 2024 on Nov. 16 and 17 in Hyderabad. Skyesports is set to be the esports partner for the event.
The four teams are listed below. They will compete in a single-elimination bracket to determine the champions of India. Matches from the AMD GameOn 2024 Main Event will be livestreamed on the Skyesports YouTube channel.
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True Rippers
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Carnival Gaming
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Gods Reign
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Victores Sumus
Besides the esports action at the AMD booth in the IndiaJoy 2024, players will also be able to experience gaming on AMD Advantage systems, which deliver a supreme and optimized performance by combining AMD Ryzen™ CPUs, AMD Radeon™ GPUs, smart technologies, and AMD software. Therefore, AMD’s experiential zone at the IndiaJoy 2024 will be the one-stop immersive place for gamers, combining esports action and providing a hands-on gaming experience.
Shiva Nandy, the Founder and CEO of Skyesports, said, “We are thrilled to be the esports partner for AMD GameOn 2024, working once again with our anchor brand, AMD. With open qualifiers to give every gamer a chance and invited teams to ensure top-notch esports action, this tournament is a delight for all gamers. AMD has been one of the biggest supporters of esports in India over the years, and this tournament aligns with our vision of bringing Counter-Strike 2 into the spotlight ahead of Skyesports’ $1.7 million prize pool roadmap for 2025, where we will host four on-ground events across the country.”
India currently has about 500 million gamers, a number expected to grow to 730 million by 2028, with a 5-year CAGR of 10 percent, making the country the largest market by the number of gamers. Additionally, 65 percent of gamers either watch esports or compete in tournaments, per Niko Partners, with IPs like the AMD GameOn at the forefront of attracting their attention.
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