The Philippines team (SIBOL) reigned supreme at the IESF World Esports Championship 2023, winning the championship title in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament. In a thrilling best-of-five series against Indonesia, Team Philippines took home the lion’s share of the $100,000 prize pool. It was also the first clean sweep for the SIBOL national team, who went all the way from the qualifiers to the Grand Final, leaving Indonesia in second place.
This year’s event took place in Iași, Romania and featured sixteen international Mobile Legends: Bang Bang teams battled it out in the lower and upper brackets for the title of IESF MLBB Champion. Notably, Saudi Arabia came third in the tournament, followed by Egypt (fourth), who proved their unrivalled rivalry.
Congratulations to the SIBOL team for bringing home the gold! The event was a tremendous success. We appreciate the professionalism and sportsmanship of the participating teams.
The International Esports Federation, which brings together 140 national federations, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 28 August in Iasi, Romania, during the 15th World Esports Championship Finals.
110 national federations actively participated in the AGM and discussed the agenda, which consisted of 44 motions that were voted on. One of the proposals put forward by the Russian Esports Federation was the Russian athletes to compete in 2024 under their national flag and anthem.
There was no Russian team at this year’s World Championships, and no Russian delegate was present at the General Assembly. After expressing their opinions, all 70 members present took a democratic vote, which resulted in against, 32 in favour and 25 abstentions.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Esports Federation did not accept the vote and refused to meet with IESF leadership to discuss options to assist them in this difficult situation. The decision will come into for next year’s World Esports Championships, scheduled for late 2024.
The IESF team and Athletes Committee have been there to support and assist all Ukrainian players as the athletes are at the heart of what the IESF is all about. The Ukrainian teams performed well at the tournament. In CS:GO they qualified for the semi-finals.
With the athletes’ interests at heart, the IESF Athletes’ Committee did everything in its power to resolve the the unfortunate situation of the Ukrainian players and the Ukrainian Esports Federation, who informed the IESF that they would be withdrawing their teams from this year’s competition.
The IESF strongly condemns all war, hatred, political interference and discrimination. Sport offers us a unique platform for peace building and future conflict prevention. We expect all members of the World Esports Family to use this platform for positive change and to embody the IESF values of respect, unity and friendship.
The IESF will continue to strive for peace and unity, while firmly standing by all democratic processes within the organisation and, most importantly, supporting and protecting the athletes.
Plutus, the London-based fintech company, has entered the esports arena with a six-figure headline sponsorship of Lionscreed.
Notably, the company has also announced its intention to expand its presence in esports and the wider gaming space, having already integrated PlayStation, Xbox and Steam into its perks and rewards.
Founded in 2015, Plutus is committed to empowering users when it comes to managing their money. They offer many of the same financial products as banks, with a focus on flexibility, integrating cryptocurrency and rewards programmes into their services. Spending with a Plutus card earns the user 3% back in digital rewards, as well as benefits from a range of products and services. These perks are personalised to the user and can include Spotify, Deliveroo, Netflix and more, and as mentioned there’s plenty for gaming fans too, with PlayStation, Xbox and Steam included.
Plutus CEO Danial Daychopan said:
Since the launch of our Gaming Perks in May, a significant portion of our user base has enthusiastically embraced one or more of these offers. This trend clearly demonstrates the appeal of the Plutus Rewards card within the gaming community, allowing them to easily earn rewards on everyday purchases, including game-related expenses. PLU Rewards is the most effective way to introduce Web2 consumers to Web3, and this collaboration with Lionscreed is a major step towards our long-term goal of dominating the gaming sector.
Plutus CEO Danial Daychopan
Dale Adams, COO and co-founder of Lionscreed, commented:
This is a milestone for LC, and we are delighted to be working with Plutus. Lionscreed has established itself as one of the most exciting up-and-coming eSports teams in the UK, and working with Plutus will allow us to launch a number of projects and tournaments that we are actively working on for our community. With Plutus’ support, we can offer the best events and opportunities to everyone, including those involved in our new educational mission. We already have exciting plans for community events at New Meta and activations at EGX, Insomnia, and ESI London in the coming months, with more to follow.
Dale Adams, COO and co-founder of Lionscreed
This investment and commitment to the sector come at a time of some economic turbulence for teams, especially with some sponsors pulling back, but Plutus is unequivocal in its belief in the potential of esports and gaming fans in general for its ROI.
With many Plutus customers actively involved in gaming, the company wanted to support this passion and explore the exciting potential of enhancing gaming through crypto rewards, with what they see as “a clear affinity between the two”. You can read more about Plutus here and join Discord here.
RisingWings, an independent studio within KRAFTON, Inc. has officially launchedDefense Derby, a worldwide real-time strategy defense mobile game.
Defense Derby is an exciting new twist on the tower defense genre, offering four-player, four-way combat packed with strategy, mind games, and powerful synergies. Each round begins with a ‘bidding phase’ where players bid against each other to recruit fighter units and build their teams. Players then strategically place their units in their castles to capitalise on their unique abilities and fend off a series of monster attacks. The last player standing before their castle falls is declared the victor.
With Defense Derby, KRAFTON also introduces a new genre known as “Betting Royale”. This unique gameplay mechanic is based on players researching units and bidding in-game for the units they want on their team. Available in over 190 countries worldwide in nine languages including Korean, English, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Portuguese and Simplified Chinese, Defense Derby can be downloaded from Google Play, the Apple App Store and the Samsung Galaxy Store.
Defense Derby is packed with new modes and content to make the experience even more fun. As well as the core game modes of Derby Mode (PvP) and Blitz Mode (PvE), players can also try out Valley of Trials, where they must use fighters of the same race as the units in the dungeon. Other fun modes include Friendly Derby, where you can create rooms and play with your friends, and Themed Mode, which is available for a set period of time and has different rules each time. In addition to Themed Mode, there is also Ban Pick Mode, where players can ban certain units owned by their opponents before the battle begins, and Quest Mode, where the first player to survive the battle and complete the given missions wins.
To celebrate the launch of the game, there will be a series of exciting in-game events. During the launch period, all players will receive a ‘Welcome Pack’ filled with in-game bonuses, including 20,000 gold, a Rare Hero card, a Rare Unit card and a special castle skin. Players will have the opportunity to win prizes such as Legendary Unit Cards, Rare Unit Cards, Cubics, Gold and more through in-game events such as the Login Event, Lucky Draw and Event Store. Events will also be organised on the official YouTube, Facebook and Discord channels.
Sinchan Park, Director of Production for Defense Derby, said:
Defense Derby has been in development for almost two years and we are very excited to officially launch it to players worldwide. By adding regular content and providing a consistent service, we want to ensure that players get the most out of the game.
Season 0: Ready for Action, the latest update to KONAMI’s flagship football game eFootball™, is available today. Season 0 gives football fans the chance to update some of their favourite teams’ uniforms and rosters for the upcoming campaign.
eFootball™ Mobile Hits 650 Million Downloads!
In February 2023, KONAMI announced that the mobile version of eFootball™ had reached 600 million downloads worldwide. Six months later, the game celebrates a brand new milestone of 650 million downloads!
A campaign full of bonuses, achievements, challenge events and more kicks off on the 3rd of August to celebrate this achievement:
A total of 450,000 GP, 150 coins, 3 chances to win Epic Chance Deals with login bonuses
Opportunity to earn 360,000 GP, 90,000 experience points and 200 extra coins from all campaign events
Possibility to win 300 coins on v.3.0.0 release by playing 50 games in total.
Whether you’re a veteran or a new user, there’s so much to try and win in eFootball™ throughout August and into a new year!
About eFootball™
eFootball™ is the rebranded version of KONAMI’s popular PES series. This change adds a new football game engine, gameplay enhancements and makes the game “free to play” on all compatible devices! eFootball™ is a constantly evolving platform that aims to maximise entertainment and accessibility for football fans worldwide.
Guild Esports and Sky Broadband are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Rocket League Boost Championship, which will see women’s teams compete for a share of £5,000 in prize money. The grassroots league, which kicks off with open qualifiers on 5 August, is open to female gamers looking to turn professional and represents Guild and Sky’s commitment to increasing diversity in esports by providing more support and opportunities for women to compete in a safe online space.
Guild and Sky Broadband are committed to ensuring that women and people from marginalised genders have the opportunity to compete regularly in a fully staffed and org-supported competition, helping to professionalise esport.
The league will take place in a safe online space for women, with safeguards in place, including female and non-binary staff running the competition. Four elite European teams will participate, with a further four places up for grabs for those who win their spots in the open qualifiers.
The top four teams will compete for a share of the £5,000 prize pool, playing two games each week for the chance to reach the final and win the grand prize. Each week, Guild will broadcast a recap show highlighting the best moments and matches of the week.
CEO of Guild Esports Jasmine Skee, said:
Ensuring that we’re supporting and nurturing womens esports is a huge priority for us here at Guild. Boost Championship is just one of our many ongoing commitments alongside our partner Sky Broadband, to the development of womens’ esports, and to making the Sky Guild Gaming Centre a safe space for diverse gamers of all backgrounds.
CEO of Guild Esports Jasmine Skee
Managing Director of Broadband and Connectivity at Sky Broadband Amber Pine, said:
There is still a long way to go in creating a level playing field for women in gaming. As part of our mission to improve this, we’re powering the Boost Championship, creating a competition that connects female gamers and gives them the opportunity to compete in a safe and respectful environment.
Managing Director of Broadband and Connectivity at Sky Broadband Amber Pine
The Boost Championship will satisfy the growing demand for opportunities to develop female and under-represented talent in esports. Guild and Sky Broadband’s commitment to creating more opportunities for women and increasing diversity in esports remains a key priority. This competition is just one of many initiatives the Guild and Sky Broadband are developing to help more women consider gaming as a viable career path. Earlier this summer, the partnership hosted The Lobby Live gaming evenings at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre as part of the #NoRoomForAbuse campaign to help create a safer and more inclusive gaming environment for women and allies.
More details on the teams and match-ups will be available in the run-up to the first league match on 25 August. Fans can watch and learn more every week on the Guild’s Twitch and Twitter feeds.
Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, is already pushing the boundaries of mobile gaming. Today, it announced a major update to the Razer Nexus app for both iPhone and Android. Nexus 3.0 brings a variety of innovative features for Android and a polished and upgraded experience for iPhone users. As the main launcher for Razer Edge & Kishi V2 and fuelled by Razer’s commitment to high-performance gaming, the Razer Nexus 3.0 update brings innovation, immersion, and intuitive user experiences. The app update is available for free to users.
Razer Nexus 3.0 Redefines Gaming Exploration
The Razer Nexus app becomes the ultimate gaming advisor for the Razer community, offering a hand-picked selection of games. On-demand video previews and carefully considered categories minimize the time between discovery and gameplay. This enriched catalog is now live for Android and iPhone users.
Updated User Interface
Razer Nexus users will now experience an improved user interface with new options for the Game Background feature, which brings an animated Dynamic Colour background or unique, hand-picked wallpapers for installed games. The update also introduces a Favourites Row for instant access to users’ preferred games and automatically launches the app when Kishi V2 or Kishi V2 Pro is connected to Android.
New Improvements for Groundbreaking Virtual Controller Mode (Android Only)
Virtual Controller Mode allows users to add Kishi V2 compatibility to touchscreen-only games. Nexus 3.0 offers significant improvements, such as support for MOBA games, X/Y camera axis reversal options, camera sensitivity control, unique key mapping for M1/M2 buttons, and removal of the Android Accessibility permission requirement. Razer continues to invest in Virtual Controller Mode for the massive increase in the number of games available to Kishi V2 Android users.
Optimised Gaming Performance (Android Only)
The update demonstrates Razer’s rigorous focus on performance and reliability with reduced power consumption for Kishi V2 controllers, automatic prevention of controller input when the device is asleep, improved app launch button consistency, and superior quality and reliability for captured videos and screenshots. Also, for the first time, users can now choose between HID and XInput controller modes with Kishi V2 Pro.
Razer Hardware Business Unit Senior Vice President Alvin Cheung said:
As the mobile gaming landscape evolves at an astonishing pace, we recognize the need for a platform that keeps pace. With Nexus 3.0, gamers can explore new realms and play their favorite games without subscription fees. More than just an app, Nexus 3.0 is our commitment to putting unlimited gaming in the palm of your hands.
Razer Hardware Business Unit Senior Vice President Alvin Cheung
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is proud to announce the appointment of Mr Hussain AlKooheji as a distinguished Board Member and Executive Chairman of the IESF Publishers Commission. This appointment is a testament to Mr. AlKooheji’s exemplary leadership, remarkable achievements, and unwavering commitment to the World Esports Family. “As the world’s preeminent esports governing body, the IESF has been instrumental in driving the growth and development of competitive gaming on a global scale,” said IESF President Vlad Marinscu:
The IESF recognizes that the unique challenges faced by publishers, who play a critical role in shaping the esports landscape, require a dedicated platform for engagement and collaboration. The establishment of a Publishers Commission within the IESF will provide a structured framework to address these challenges and ensure a collective effort to improve the industry.
IESF President Vlad Marinscu
The Publishers Commission will focus on advancing the following areas:
1.The Commission’s objective is to facilitate open communication and dialogue among game publishers, fostering the sharing of industry insights, best practices, and collaborative problem-solving.
2. Through collaborative efforts, we seek to develop strategies that promote the sustainable growth of the games industry and ensure a healthy ecosystem for both established publishers and gamers.
3. The Commission will identify the key challenges facing game publishers and explore opportunities for innovation, expansion, and diversification within the games market.
As President of the Bahrain Esports Federation and Vice President of the GCC Esports Federation, Mr. AlKooheji has played a pivotal role in spearheading the growth of the esports community in Bahrain and the development of local athletes into regional and world champions. His passion since the 80s has given him a deep understanding of the industry, and his continued dedication to the industry and his continued dedication to esports has led him to achieve significant milestones as an esports athlete, most notably being crowned champion of the 2021 Season 4 Redbull M.E.O. PUBG Arab Championship. “I am honored and humbled to be appointed as a Board Member and Executive Chairman of the IESF Game Publishers Commission,” said Mr AlKooheji.
Esports has always been close to my heart, and I am looking forward to using my experience, championship mentality, and multicultural background to contribute to the strategic growth and development of the industry on a global scale.
Mr Hussain AlKooheji
A five-time Superbike champion, Mr. AlKooheji’s goal-oriented approach, and the champion’s mentality have led him to excel both on and off the digital battlefield. With a proven track record of community engagement, partnership building, and fostering positive relationships within the ecosystem, Mr. AlKooheji will bridge continents and drive strategic initiatives in his new role.
As the Executive Chairman of the IESF Game Publishers Commission, Mr. AlKooheji will undoubtedly play an instrumental role in shaping the future of eSports worldwide. His passion for diversity, inclusivity, and aligns seamlessly with the IESF’s mission, and he is committed to promoting the organization’s goals on a global scale.
About the International Esports Federation (IESF)
The IESF is the governing body of World Esports. Founded in 2008 by nine member nations, the IESF has 140 Member Federations across six continents. The IESF brings together all esports stakeholders to create an ecosystem for the development of sustainable and responsible gaming worldwide. The IESF WE Championships is the largest multi-sport esports spectacle in the world. The IESF also organizes the annual World Esports Summit to promote the highest standards of esports governance worldwide.
LNZ spent over two and a half years in the Swedish organization Ninjas in Pyjamas, mostly in their academy team Young Ninjas, before joining Sangal. His most notable success in his carreer is the IEM Fall 2021 championship with NiP.
Sangal Esports parted ways with Kory last month and ScrunK was moved to the bench, after being pushed outside of top 50 in team rankings. The team is currently ranked as #73.
With the transfer of the 20-year-old Swedish player, there is only 1 spot to left to be filled in the active roster. LNZ’s Sangal debut will be against Anonymo in the play-in stage of Thunderpick World Championship 2023 Europe Series 1, on July 28th.
Activision Blizzard has revealed that Overwatch League franchise owners will be voting on a revised ‘operating agreement’ once the current season concludes. This disclosure was made in a financial filing by the company.
In the event that teams decide not to continue operating under the updated agreement, they will be required to pay a termination fee of $6 million per franchise. The total cost of these termination fees, if all teams choose this option, would amount to $114 million.
The information regarding the voting and termination fees was disclosed as part of Activision Blizzard’s Q2 financial results. Within these results, it was also disclosed that the total revenues generated by the Overwatch League constitute less than 1% of the company’s consolidated net revenue.
As previously disclosed, our collaborative arrangements for our professional esports leagues continue to face headwinds. During the second quarter, we amended certain terms of our collaborative arrangements with team entities participating in the Overwatch League. According to the amended terms, following the conclusion of the current Overwatch League season, the teams will vote on an updated operating agreement.
2023 Financial Results
The financial filing did not provide specific details about the vote, such as the threshold needed for it to pass, the exact content of the updated operating agreement, or the date when the vote would take place. However, it was mentioned that the vote is expected to occur at the end of the current Overwatch League season, which is scheduled to end on October 1st.
In June, OverActive Media, an Overwatch League franchise slot owner, made an announcement stating that they had reached an agreement with Activision Blizzard to clear their outstanding franchise fee payments. This deal was valued at $6.5 million and included a sponsorship arrangement between the two parties. While OverActive Media had to disclose the deal publicly because it is a publicly traded company, it is widely believed that other franchises may have also had their remaining fees waived in similar deals.
Interestingly, based on the disclosed $114 million total in termination fees, with each franchise receiving $6 million, it suggests that there are 19 franchises. This is peculiar because the Overwatch League was initially intended to have 20 franchises. In May, The Esports Advocate reported that the Chengdu Hunters had disbanded, but the fate of Chengdu Hunters’ franchise slot was not officially confirmed.
