The BLAST Premier YouTube channel has released GG Chronicles, a series about the lives of famous esports players sponsored by GG.BET. In the first season, you’ll be able to find out which Tier-1 player captained a football team, who turned down a life in accounting for a gaming career, and who escaped falling in with a bad crowd thanks to esports.

The first episode of GG Chronicles will delve into the past of Finnish player AleksiB, the now in-game leader of NAVI, champions of the first ever CS2 Major in Copenhagen. The second episode will tell the story of his Latvian teammate jL, who was the MVP of that same tournament. We’ll then jump over to Team Vitality to get to know mezii, the winner of the last CS:GO Major in Paris, for our third episode. The final episode will give us VIP access into the life of FaZe Clan’s frozen. FaZe Clan made history in Antwerp in 2022 when they became the first international team to win a CS:GO Major.

GG Chronicles is a collection of personal stories which prove that behind every star champion is a normal person with the same fears and weaknesses as the rest of us. Each episode will show the players you know and love in a new light, as we follow them through the world of esports and share all the highs and the lows their journey entails!

The series came to be thanks to the year-long partnership between BLAST Premier, the organizers of the world-famous series of Counter-Strike tournaments, and the betting brand GG.BET, who are currently making a name for themselves in the gaming world as an enthusiastic supporter of the esports industry. The creators plan to release another 10 episodes by the end of 2024.

Putting up stellar performances, Revenant Esports emerged victorious in the LAN playoffs of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia Split 2, securing their spot at the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Ascension: Pacific.

Organized by NODWIN Gaming, the leading South Asian gaming and esports company, in collaboration with Riot Games, the tournament’s playoffs witnessed fierce competition amongst Revenant Esports, Velocity Gaming, True Rippers, and Orangutan at the NODWIN Gaming Arena in Chattarpur.

Revenant Esports, featuring India’s top VALORANT players including in-game leader (IGL) Jayanth Ramesh (skillZ), Ganesh Gangadhar (SkRossi), Kasif Sayyed (Paradox), Prish Valvani (Tricky) alongside Kazakhstan’s Dastan Zhumagali (dos9) and Sultan Akbay (sultan), remained unbeaten throughout Split 2. After winning three straight games in the league stage, the team sustained their momentum in the LAN playoffs.

They defeated Orangutan 2-0 in the upper bracket semi-finals, followed by a 2-1 win over True Rippers in the upper bracket final. In the grand finale, Revenant Esports secured another decisive victory over True Rippers with a commanding 3-0 win. The LAN playoffs were contested in a double elimination bracket, with all matches played in a best-of-three format, except the lower bracket final and grand final, which were best-of-five.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the victory, Ganesh Gangadhar aka SkRossi of Revenant Esports stated, “Winning the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia Split 2 is an incredible milestone for us at Revenant Esports. We faced numerous hurdles in Split 1, but those results only made us stronger and more determined to prove ourselves on the main stage again. Personally, returning to the South Asia circuit after competing internationally was a rollercoaster journey, but I have always believed in the potential of our region. This win reinforces that belief and motivates us to aim even higher. A huge shoutout to all our fans for their constant support. We promise to keep pushing our limits and make you proud at VCT Ascension.”

OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024 boasted an overall prize pool of $130,000 (approx. INR 1 crore) across Split 1 and Split 2. The total prize pool of Split 1 was $66,000 (approx INR 55.11 lakhs) distributed evenly across Cup 1 and Cup 2.

In Split 2, Revenant Esports took home $ 20,000 (approx. INR 16.68 lakhs) from the overall $ 64,000 (approx. INR 55 lakhs) prize pool while fellow finalists True Rippers secured $12,500 (INR 10 lakhs). Velocity Gaming were awarded with $10,000 (approx. INR 8.34 lakhs), and Orangutan received $7,000 (approx. INR 5.84 lakhs). OMEN by HP was the tournament’s title partner and Philips was the styling partner.

“Congratulations to Revenant Esports for demonstrating their prowess against the top teams in the region. Through OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia, NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games have dedicated themselves to establishing a sustainable ecosystem for the title, providing a platform for the nation’s best talent to shine. The invaluable support from our partners and the overwhelming response from fans, has made this event truly unforgettable. We are proud to have played a role in elevating the VALORANT esports scene in the region and look forward to Revenant Esports representing South Asia on the global stage,” said Gautam Virk, Co-Founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming.

The dual split format of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024, initiated earlier this year by NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games, has been instrumental in showcasing the skills of South Asian teams and players. The tournament saw an impressive online viewership of 8 million across Split 1 and 2, recording a total footfall of 30,000.

“The OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024 has been an incredible journey. The intense competition and high level of gameplay we have witnessed has been truly inspiring for the viewers as well as the next generation of esports athletes. We are excited to see Revenant Esports take on the best teams from across APAC at the VCT Ascension Pacific and wish them the very best. We look forward to continuing our support for the region’s growing esports ecosystem,” commented Sukamal Pegu, Esports Lead, India & South Asia, Riot Games.

As the sole Indian representative, Revenant Esports will compete against nine other leading teams from the continent at the VCT Ascension: Pacific which is set to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this September. The winner will secure a coveted spot in the Pacific League 2025.

Jameel Motorsport, part of Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) have announced a two-year expansive partnership for the Esports World Cup (“EWC”), marking a strategic alliance poised to redefine the landscape of virtual and traditional Motorsports. This partnership is set to elevate the virtual and traditional motorsports experience to new heights, embodying the spirit of “Compete to Succeed.”

As a founding partner, Jameel Motorsport will bring an array of exhilarating experiences to the Esports World Cup. Fans can look forward to high-speed karting, immersive sim and VR racing, skill-based competitive challenges, and interactive exhibits. These activities are designed to inspire and engage visitors of all ages, showcasing the brand’s commitment to excellence and high performance.

The Esports World Cup, with Jameel Motorsport’s support, will offer a family-friendly environment called “Jameel Motorsport Park” where fans of all ages can enjoy the thrill of racing competition. From traditional to virtual racing challenges and exhibits, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of motorsports and gaming together, fostering a shared passion and creating lasting memories. Moreover, fans will have access to a range of merchandise from Toyota, Rally Jameel, GR, and Jameel Motorsport at the event.

Peter Aberle, CEO at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors said: “Our strategic partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation represents a very exciting venture. This new initiative underlines our commitment to engage the people of Saudi Arabia by introducing and developing projects that align with Vision 2030’s socio-economic growth objectives. Together, we look forward to inspiring and empowering a new generation of gamers and racing enthusiasts across the world.”

This partnership signifies a step towards shaping the future of motorsports, blending virtual and physical realms. Through a variety of activations and initiatives, including a fully branded karting venue at EWC, Jameel Motorsport aims to captivate audiences of all ages, fostering a community united by their passion for speed and competition.

“We are excited to welcome Jameel Motorsport to the EWC family,” said Ralf Reichert from Esports World Cup Foundation. “Together, we will deliver unforgettable experiences to gamers and racing fans worldwide.”

With its kickoff having occurred on July 3, the Esports World Cup will transform Riyadh into the epicenter of esports fandom and gaming culture. Located in Boulevard City, fans can watch their favorite athletes and clubs compete across 22 game championships for a share of more than $60 million in life-changing prize money — the largest prize pool in esports history. Across eight weeks, the Esports World Cup will also feature festival activities that include numerous gaming activations, community tournaments, pop culture celebrations, international experiences, and more.