eSports

First-ever Olympic Esports Games to take place in 2025; massive opportunity for Indian esports

Published

2 months ago

July 12, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Following the IOC’s partnership with the NOC of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, India’s growing esports sector has an opportunity to prove its mettle on the international stage and flourish

In a historic move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the inaugural Olympic Esports Games will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This decision follows the recent proposal by the IOC’s Executive Board and will be presented at the IOC Session ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The IOC has entered a 12-year partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the Olympic Esports Games. As per the official announcement, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee remarked, “The world is invited to join us in 2025 and celebrate this moment together.”

Indian esports, already on the rise, stands to gain significantly from this development. Following a bronze medal win in DOTA 2 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and competing in five titles at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, India’s esports scene is on track for further growth.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the groundbreaking development, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, said, “NODWIN Gaming is thrilled that esports has earned its place in the Olympics with its own standalone event, akin to the Summer, Winter, and Paralympics. This recognition allows countries to develop independent esports programs. Together with our partners in the GEF and the EWC, NODWIN Gaming is eager to build esports in our core growth markets, seizing this opportunity for hope and glory.”

The IOC launched its first esports pilot, the Olympic Virtual Series, in 2021 followed by the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June 2023. This event brought together over 130 players from around the world, competing in 10 mixed-gender categories, attracting over 500,000 unique participants and six million views, with 75% of the audience aged 13 to 34.

“The IOC’s embrace of the Olympic Esports Games honors the dedication and skill of millions of gamers worldwide. It goes beyond just competition; it elevates esports to a global platform, encouraging international collaboration and potentially ushering in a new generation of athletes. This initiative truly is a landmark moment for esports, bringing it the global recognition it has long earned. The inclusion of esports in the Olympic movement demonstrates its growing influence and cements its place in the future of sports,” commented Roby John, CEO and Co-founder at SuperGaming.

The introduction of the Olympic Esports Games is set to further enhance the credibility of esports in India, establishing it as a viable sport and career option.

“This recognition will further legitimize esports as a career option, more parents will now support their children in pursuing careers in this field, elevating the professional landscape of competitive gaming. We are proud to support the growth of esports in India, giving our players the chance to shine on this prestigious international platform,” further.

With the official announcement of the Olympic Esports Games, work will now begin on selecting the host city and venue, determining the event’s timing, selecting titles, and establishing the qualification process for players. The IOC has emphasized collaboration with International Federations already engaged in e-sports and National Olympic Committees that include esports in their activities.

While the titles for the Olympic Esports Games have not been officially announced, the potential inclusion of games across diverse platforms is expected to stimulate growth in India’s gaming industry. This could lead to a rise in PC and console gaming, diversifying India’s predominantly mobile gaming market as players aim to represent their nation at the largest international multi-sport event.

“We are absolutely elated by the announcement of the Olympic Esports Games which is being hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This marks a monumental step for the industry and all its stakeholders. The Indian esports sector is on an upward trajectory and this will further empower it. Esports being integrated under the banner of the pinnacle of sports events in the world will bring further legitimacy to this form of sport and encourage a new generation of esports talent to rise from the country. We’re excited and look forward to extending our support to the esports community of India so they make a mark at the global event!” said Vishal Parekh, COO, CyberPowerPC India.

Additionally, the IOC will establish a dedicated structure for the Olympic Esports Games, distinct from the traditional Olympic Games model, to address the unique aspects of esports financing and organization.

eSports

Tundra Esports Announces New Official Partnership With Ethlas

Published

8 hours ago

August 28, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Tundra Esports, The International 11 Champions and a leading name in Dota 2, announces its partnership with Ethlas, a trailblazer in the Web3 gaming industry.

Starting September 1st, both will collaborate during the Dota 2 International to kick-off the exciting partnership, showing the exciting capabilities of Gambit, a new gamer trading platform developed by Ethlas.

Gambit introduces a unique economic model that unites players with their Patrons (Bit holders). Players are rewarded proportionally based on their in-game performance, ensuring top skills translate to real-world value. Throughout TI 2024, they are putting up a US $100,000 prize pot for traders around the world.

“We are thrilled to partner with Tundra Esports, one of the most formidable teams in the esports arena, especially as they compete in The International this year. This collaboration aligns perfectly with Gambit Finance’s mission to revolutionise how fans and traders engage with their favourite gamers, allowing them to support and participate in the growth of esports talent. Together with Tundra, we’re pushing the boundaries of innovation in both gaming and finance”, stated Elston Sam, co-founder of Gambit Finance.

The collaboration between Tundra Esports and Ethlas is founded on shared values and a mutual dedication to excellence in esports, uniting Dota 2 enthusiasts worldwide to tap into their deepest strategic insights and expertise in the game.

Maxim Demin, Owner & Co-Managing Director of Tundra Esports: “We are excited to embark on this journey with Ethlas. At Tundra we are constantly looking for new ways to engage with our audience in an authentic and meaningful way, and we hope that this partnership will unlock new opportunities for every Tundra fan around the globe. Please welcome Ethlas as our new Official Partner!”

Tundra’s Dota 2 team are the reigning world champions, winning The International in 2022, beating the opposing team in a clean 3-0 sweep. The roster have qualified for their placement in The International on Jun 23, 2024, with an exciting 2-1 win against PSG.Quest.

eSports

G2 Esports and Warner Bros. reveal Batman Streetwear Capsule Collection

Published

8 hours ago

August 28, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

G2 Esports, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the G2 Esports x Batman Capsule Collection, a stylish new limited edition streetwear line as part of its ongoing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP).

In the year of Batman’s 85th Anniversary, this Capsule Collection is a celebration of one of the most iconic DC Super Heroes in comic book history, as well as G2’s ongoing collaboration with WBDGCP bringing together the worlds of esports, comics and entertainment.

Fans will be able to get their hands on this collection for the very first time in person at the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) Summer Finals on August 31st, before it launches online on September 2nd.

An exclusive and limited drop, the G2 Esports x Batman Capsule Collection is a four-piece, unisex line of apparel blending a stylish mixture of esports and streetwear, perfect for fans watching G2 Esports compete, as well as everyday wear. Featuring a drop shoulder hoodie, oversized tee, sherpa fleece jacket and windbreaker, each item has a unique and subtle design with nods to both G2 Esports and the renowned DC Super Hero.

Last year, G2 Esports and WBDGCP kicked off their partnership with the launch of two pro-wear collections – the G2 Esports x The Joker and G2 Esports x Superman Prestige jerseys, one of the organisation’s most popular collections to date.

Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2 Esports said: “G2 fans and our teams already had the pleasure of wearing iconic jerseys based on DC’s Superman and The Joker in 2023, and now our new G2 x Batman Capsule Collection has emerged from the shadows, offering casual and stylish options with subtle designs that emulate the Dark Knight himself. This is a dream partnership for G2, and we’re honoured to be a part of the 85th-anniversary celebrations for such a legendary character. This is an incredible opportunity to continue bringing together the worlds of esports, comics and entertainment with a collection our fans will feel proud to wear.”

The G2 x Batman Capsule Collection will be available for purchase at the LEC Finals in Munich on August 31st, before launching online on the G2 Esports website on September 2nd.

eSports

G2 Esports and Warner Bros. reveal Batman Streetwear Capsule Collection

Published

1 day ago

August 27, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2 Esports said: “G2 fans and our teams already had the pleasure of wearing iconic jerseys based on DC’s Superman and The Joker in 2023, and now our new G2 x Batman Capsule Collection has emerged from the shadows, offering casual and stylish options with subtle designs that emulate the Dark Knight himself. This is a dream partnership for G2, and we’re honoured to be a part of the 85th-anniversary celebrations for such a legendary character. This is an incredible opportunity to continue bringing together the worlds of esports, comics and entertainment with a collection our fans will feel proud to wear.”

The G2 x Batman Capsule Collection will be available for purchase at the LEC Finals in Munich on August 31st, before launching online on the G2 Esports website on September 2nd.