FIFA set to widen gaming and eSports portfolio
FIFA and EA announce expanded FIFA 22 esports program
Challengermode expands women in esports drive with organizer partnerships
ThriveFantasy Partners with NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars for 2021 Season to be Daily Fantasy Sports and Esports Partner
PUBG Finland partners with Challengermode to simplify their grassroots PUBG efforts
Challengermode partners with Opera GX to set up world’s first grassroots esports organisers fund
World’s biggest FIFAe national team competition sees 200 percent increase in participating member associations
Record number of FIFAe clubs on their journey to reach the world's pinnacle club event
FIFAe tournament season kicks off with new structure and total prize money of USD 4.35 million
Digital 911 GT3 Cup racers tackle America’s Road Atlanta rollercoaster
-
Global Esports Industry Revenue to Jump 50% and Touch $1.6bn by 2023
The eSports market is expected to grow rapidly in the following years. According to data gathered by SafeBettingSites.com, the global eSports industry revenue is set to hit $1.05bn value in 2020. The increasing trend is forecast to continue in the following years, with the revenue jumping 50% and reaching $1.6bn by 2023. Digital and Streaming Esports Revenue to Witness the Highest Growth In 2018, the global eSports industry revenue amounted to $776.4 million, revealed Statista and Newzoo data. By the end of 2019, this figure rose to $957.5 million, a 24% jump in a year. Statistics show the global eSports industry profit is set to increase by 10.6% in 2020. The Newzoo data also revealed that sponsorships remain the most significant revenue stream of the global eSports industry, set to reach $614.9 million profit this year, a 13.1% jump in a year. As the second-largest revenue source, media rights are expected to generate $176.2 million in profit in 2020, an 11.5% increase in a year. Publisher fees will drop by 2.5%, reaching $120.2 million in revenue. Merchandise and tickets are set to reach $106.5 million profit in 2020, a 13% drop amid coronavirus outbreak. However, due to canceled or postponed events, the eSports digital and streaming revenues are expected to witness substantial growth. Statistics indicate the digital revenue stream is set to generate $21.5 million profit this year, a 60.9% jump year-on-year. Streaming profits are forecast to grow 44.9% in a year, reaching $19.9 million value in 2020. Esports Audience to Hit 646 Million by 2023 Recent years have also witnessed a surge in the number of people watching their favorite games and eSports tournaments. In 2018, there were 173 million frequent eSports viewers, and 222 million occasional viewers worldwide. Since then, the number of eSports fans rose to 495 million globally, with enthusiasts accounting for 45% of that figure. Statistics show that by 2023, there will be almost 300 million frequent eSports viewers worldwide, a 75% increase compared to 2018 figures. Additionally, more than 350 million people are expected to occasionally watch eSports tournaments and events in the next three years.
-
Sim racers tackle the virtual “Green Hell” at round five
The Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup prepares for the next season highlight this coming Saturday: At the fifth of ten rounds of the global esports championship run on the iRacing simulation platform on 4 July, around 40 drivers will fight for fractions of seconds and championship points on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. The almost 25-kilometre combination of the “Green Hell” and the 24-hour variant of the Grand Prix circuit is the longest racetrack on the current calendar of the virtual one-make race series. At the previous round in Le Mans, British sim racer Kevin Ellis Jr. from the Apex Racing squad was first across the line in the sprint race. The 30-minute main race went to the German Redline driver Maximilian Benecke at the wheel of his digital reproduction of the latest Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The results, however, do not count towards the championship. The reason: Due to a technical error, the 15-minute sprint race was one lap too long. As a result, some competitors ran out of fuel or had to make a pitstop to refuel. Since the outcome of the sprint race determines the grid line-up for the main race, the simulation platform revoked all results. The prize money, however, will be paid out. A rerun of the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup Le Mans event will be held on 26 September. The current championship standings after round three at Donington still apply. Last year’s champion, Joshua Rogers (VRS Coanda Simsport) from Australia, leads the series with 161 points followed by Sebastian Job from the Red Bull Racing team (155 points) and Rogers’ teammate Tommy Østgaard from Norway with 135 points. At the Nürburgring, sim racers will contest the sprint race over two laps, followed by the main race over four laps. The event also includes a free practice, a qualifying session and a warm-up. Fans can watch the event live on the Porsche YouTube channel ( https://youtu.be/itnr3a5_TJw ) and Twitch ( https://www.twitch.tv/porsche ). Further information on the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup can be found on the Porsche Motorsport Hub, Porsche Newsroom and the Twitter account @PorscheRaces. The programme (4 July) 4:03 to 4:15pm: Qualifying 4:17 to 4:32pm: Sprint race 4:34 to 4:44pm: Warm-up 4:45 to 5:15pm: Main race (All times CEST) Upcoming races 18.07.2020 – Silverstone Circuit (Great Britain) 01.08.2020 – Road Atlanta (USA) 15.08.2020 – Brands Hatch Circuit (Great Britain) 29.08.2020 – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 26.09.2020 – Circuit de la Sarthe (France) 10.10.2020 – Autodromo Nazionale Monza (Italy)
-
FIFA and EA SPORTS announce FIFA eChallenger Series for Asia
FIFA and EA SPORTS have announced today an exciting FIFA organized esports activation for Asia, bringing together football stars, influencers, and professional esports players that will go head-to-head in a special remote EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 4 competition series to take place later this month. As part of FIFA’s objective to bring football to more fans around the world, FIFA will host the FIFA eChallenger Series, which will see teams and players from EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 4 countries South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and China compete to become the winner of their respective country. Taking place throughout the second half of June and streamed live on FIFA.gg, the initiative will replace the FIFA eChampions Cup Spring 2020. It will be the first-ever activation organised by FIFA for EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 4 fans in Asia, providing a chance for both fans and the community to watch and engage with famous football stars, influencers and professional eSports players in their country. Four teams of three players from each country will compete in the FIFA eChallenger Series with each exciting match-up consisting of three games - including 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 matches. Speaking on the introduction of the FIFA eChallenger Series, Simon Thomas, FIFA Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The FIFA eChallenger Series is another exciting FIFA eSports event. For the first time, EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 4 fans across Asia will have the chance to watch and engage directly with their favourite football stars, influencers and eSports professionals.” Competition dates for the first-ever FIFA eChallenger Series are: • Vietnam: 25 and 27 June • Thailand: 29 and 30 June • South Korea: 26-28 June • China: 28-30 June Further details on match schedule and timings will be announced on FIFA channels over the coming weeks. Players and teams will be nominated and revealed prior to the start of the tournament.
-
Denmark to host FIFA eNations Cup 2020
In a landmark step for the further development of FIFA eSports, FIFA and the Danish Football Association (DBU) announced today that Denmark will host the FIFA eNations Cup 2020, taking one of the most exciting FIFA eSports competitions to Danish fans and a live audience for the first time. FIFA’s official inter-nation team eSports competition will take place from 22 to 24 May and will crown the world’s best EA SPORTS FIFA 20 Global Series nation, with players competing as teams in a 2v2 format throughout the tournament. With national pride and global glory at stake, Copenhagen will play host to the world’s best EA SPORTS FIFA 20 Global Series nations as the competition looks to build on the excitement, passion and drama witnessed during the inaugural event in London in 2019. France, who won the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup with a team including Corentin “MAESTRO” Thullier and Lucas “DaXe” Cuillerier, will be looking to qualify when online qualification begins in April as they look to retain their crown. Twenty-four of the world’s top EA SPORTS FIFA 20 Global Series nations will go head-to-head in Denmark in May and will be competing for international glory and a total prize pool of over USD 100,000. Speaking on the decision to host the tournament in Denmark, Christian Volk, Director of eFootball & Gaming at FIFA, said: “As a nation rich in eSports history and with an exciting and enthusiastic fan base, Denmark and the DBU were a natural choice to host the FIFA eNations Cup in 2020. Building on the incredible success and interest in the inaugural event last year in London, we are excited to take the FIFA eNations Cup to Denmark and bring the excitement and passion of an international and innovative team format like the FIFA eNations Cup to Danish fans, as well as a live audience, for the very first time.” Kenneth Reeh, Acting CEO at the DBU, said: “We’re very proud that Copenhagen has been selected to host the FIFA eNations Cup 2020 and are looking forward to welcoming players and fans to a big and hopefully memorable event. Last year, our national team had the pleasure of participating in the inaugural event in London and this year it will be even more delightful for the team to be able to play in the tournament on home soil in Copenhagen. eSports is widely popular in Denmark so it’s going to be exciting to be able to open the doors and have a live audience during the tournament.” A new addition to the calendar last season, the FIFA eNations Cup will see some of the best nations and best FIFA players in the world compete in a unique team (2v2) format on both Xbox and PlayStation during the group stage. The top two nations in each of the four groups will progress through to the knockout stages for the chance to win the FIFA eNations Cup 2020. The qualification period for national teams to identify their FIFA eNations Cup squad is currently underway, with national qualifying events currently being run by eligible member associations all around the world. The Draw for the FIFA eNations Cup 2020 will take place ahead of the tournament in spring 2020.
-
Emerge Gaming & Viacom Africa to Launch Nickelodeon eSports Gaming Platform
Emerge Gaming Limited (ASX: EM1), the developer and operator of online eSports and casual gaming tournament platform and lifestyle hub “ArcadeX”, advises that it has signed a Term Sheet with Viacom Africa Inc (“Viacom Africa”) for the phased international roll out of eSports product “NickX”. Viacom International Media Networks Africa is a television and multi-media broadcast organisation based in South Africa and Nigeria, reaching audiences of over 100 million viewers across 52 territories of the African continent through its portfolio of 10 television channels, including: BET, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV Base, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., NickToons and VH1 Classic. VIMN Africa is part of Viacom International Media Networks; a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all platforms. The company's dynamic digital and social media portfolio holds a footprint of 2.5 million page views per month, 3 million engagements monthly and a reach of over 53 million. Its African business interests include content production and distribution, spot sales, 360 degree sponsorships, events, mobile, as well as digital and consumer products. NickX – Emerge Gaming is pleased to partner with Viacom Africa to build NickX; a kids focussed eSportsinteractive tournament platform showcasing content from the #1 entertainment brand for kids - Viacom Africa’s Nickelodeon. NickX will be based on Emerge Gaming’s ArcadeX technology. NickX will allow Nickelodeon's target market globally to engage in an interactive esports tournament platform that showcases unique games and content. The platform allows for brand affiliation through extended engagement hours and unique product retention. The platform will be freely accessible through the Nickelodeon web app, Android app and iOS app and available on all devices. Monetisation will be through brand take-up, premium subscriptions, in-app subscriptions and advertising across the platform. Bert Mondello, Chairman of Emerge Gaming said“We are delighted to partner with Viacom Africa in the delivery of this new kids focussed eSports platform. Viacom Africa represents the absolute best in terms of a portfolio of leading global brands with global reach and represents the first leading brand targeted to partner with Emerge Gaming. “Emerge Gaming will deliver NickX for Viacom Africa’s Nickelodeon, the leading entertainment brand for kids. Working with Nickelodeon will give Emerge Gaming access to unrivalled content for kids. The strategy is to provide kids with educational content through the NickX gaming platform whilst creating an engaging gaming environment.”
-
1047 Games Partners with SLIVER.tv Blockchain Esports Platform Powered by Theta and TFuel Rewards
1047 Games has announced a partnership with blockchain Esports entertainment platform SLIVER.tv. Exclusive in-game items will be available to viewers who watch streamers broadcast Splitgate gameplay to SLIVER.tv; viewers will automatically share their upload bandwidth and earn Theta Fuel, or “TFuel” for short. TFuel can be used to purchase exclusive gun skins in the SLIVER shop or generously donated back to the streamers. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with SLIVER.tv and bringing unique TFuel rewards to Splitgate players,” said Ian Proulx, co-founder of 1047 Games. “The streamers benefit from seeing tons of engaged viewers, who earn exclusive skins for watching Splitgate gameplay, and we, the developer, get more players enjoying our game. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!” Splitgate launches May 22nd for free on Steam and has been highly regarded during its Beta run by top streamers such as Summit1g, shroud, CouRage, and hundreds more. While viewing Splitgate matches on community-driven live streaming platform SLIVER.tv, players will be able to earn TFuel simply by logging in and watching live content. Viewers can also use TFuel to purchase in-game exclusive skins or for discounts on real-world products from sponsors. “It made perfect sense for us to partner up with such a promising game as Splitgate and get our streamers involved” said Mitch Liu, co-founder, and CEO of SLIVER.tv and Theta Labs, Inc. “With our combined unique Theta Fuel in-game rewards and blockchain technology, viewers become part of the Esports experience, driving substantial engagement and retention for our partners and games.”
-
France crowned first-ever FIFA eNations Cup champions
France were crowned the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup champions today after a dramatic victory in the final against Argentina. Following a weekend of excitement, tension and drama that saw eFootball teams from 20 member associations and six confederations battle it out, France secured their place in eFootball history to become the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup champions, winning the USD 40,000 top prize and 1,500 EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Points. The team of France comprised of world number 6 on PS4, Corentin ‘MAESTRO’ Thullier, and world number 5 on Xbox, Lucas ‘DaXe’ Cuillerier. Following the victory alongside his team-mate, Corentin ‘MAESTRO’ Thullier from France said: “Becoming the FIFA eNations Cup champion is amazing. I can’t believe it. Winning the FIFA eNations Cup for your country and becoming the first-ever champion is an absolutely incredible feeling. Both DaXe and I had some really tough matches over the two days so to come away as champions and the title of the best eFootball nation in the world is really special.” The crowning of the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup champion capped an exciting two days of competition between 20 of the world’s best eFootball nations at the FIFA eNations Cup, which also provided member associations with the opportunity to run a national selection process to identify the two best eFootball players in their respective country. Christian Volk, Director of eFootball and Gaming at FIFA, said: “As part of continued professionalisation of eFootball, the FIFA eNations Cup has presented an important stepping stone to further grow the eFootball ecosystem, offering member associations with the chance to run their own national selection process and qualifying events. “As the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup enters its final stage, we look forward to an exciting conclusion to the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series as eFootball continues to experience unprecedented interest and engage with new audiences around the world.”
-
Draw sets the stage for first-ever FIFA eNations Cup
The group stage for the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup has been set following the Official Draw that took place today at the Home of FIFA. Featuring 20 of the world’s top eFootball teams from across all six confederations (CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, OFC, AFC and UEFA), the inaugural FIFA eNations Cup takes place in London on 13-14 April and will see nations competing to win the title and for a prize pool totalling USD 100,000. FIFA eNations Cup 2019 - Official Draw Group A – England, Finland, South Africa, France, Saudi Arabia Group B – Spain, USA, New Zealand, Mexico, China PR Group C – Germany, Norway, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil Group D – Portugal, Russia, Australia, Denmark, Netherlands To download the graphic, please click HERE. As part of the format of the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup, participating nations and players will compete in individual (1v1) and team (2v2) matches across both consoles during the group stage with the top two nations in each of the four groups progressing through to the knockout stages. The qualification process for national teams competing at the FIFA eNations Cup is underway and will be run by member associations. The FIFA eNations Cup 2019 takes place in London, England during the 13-14 April 2019 and will be streamed live across FIFA’s digital channels.
-
FIFA announces participating countries and Host City for inaugural FIFA eNations Cup
Today, FIFA confirmed the full line-up of participating countries who will compete at the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup, as well as the Host City for the inaugural event taking place next month. As one of the major events in the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series, the FIFA eNations Cup is a new addition by FIFA to this season’s professional eFootball calendar and will feature 20 national teams from all six confederations (Concacaf, CONMEBOL, CAF, OFC, AFC and UEFA). In addition to international glory and a prize pool of USD 100,000 at stake for the teams, players selected by their member association for the FIFA eNations Cup 2019 will also have the chance to win up to 1,500 EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series points, providing them with an opportunity to move up the FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings and take a significant step forward on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019. Following a thorough and extensive evaluation and invitation process conducted by FIFA for the inaugural event, the 20 countries confirmed to participate in the FIFA eNations Cup 2019 are: • Argentina • Australia • Brazil • China PR • Denmark • England (host country) • Finland • France • Germany • Mexico • Netherlands • New Zealand • Norway • Portugal • Saudi Arabia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Russia • USA In addition, London has also been confirmed by FIFA as host and the tournament will be broadcast by the Media Rights Licensees for the event. It will also be streamed live across FIFA’s digital channels on 13 and 14 April 2019. Christian Volk, Director of eFootball and & Gaming at FIFA, said: “With 20 of the world’s best eFootball nations going head-to-head, this year’s inaugural FIFA eNations Cup will provide another great example of the passion and excitement that eFootball has to offer, as well as providing the chance for players and member associations to compete for national pride and international glory. “Following unprecedented interest received in the event, the decision to expand the FIFA eNations Cup from 16 to 20 teams will allow more member associations with a chance to compete at on an international stage in eFootball, as well as providing an important stepping stone for FIFA to continue growing and developing eFootball and the FIFA eNations Cup for member associations and the wider eFootball community in the future.” As part of the format of the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup, participating countries and players will compete in individual (1v1) and team (2v2) matches on both Xbox and PlayStation during the group stage, with the top two nations in each of the four groups progressing through to the knockout stages. Volk concluded: “Following the successful implementation at the recent FIFA eClub World Cup last month, we are hugely excited that the 2v2 team format will return and be part of the first-ever FIFA eNations Cup. The new 2v2 match format is another important innovation for the sport of eFootball this season and will add further drama – as well as another dynamic – to the event during what will be an exciting two-day exhibition of some of the best eFootball in the world.”
-
The next level of eFootball - FIFA introduces the FIFA eNations Cup
FIFA will host the inaugural version of the FIFA eNations Cup on 13-14 April 2019, featuring a national team competition on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019 for the very first time. The first ever FIFA eNations Cup will be an invite-only exhibition event in 2019 and will introduce a new format of national teams and member associations competing against each other in a team competition on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup™ 2019. The event will provide players with a unique opportunity to represent their national team at a tournament during this season’s EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series. Sixteen national teams representing all of FIFA’s confederations, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, OFC, AFC and UEFA will be invited to take part in this event. The nations themselves will be able to host national eFootball championships to find their national team. The two selected players will then be invited to the FIFA eNations Cup to represent their country. As one of eight Majors in the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series, the event will offer up to 1,500 Global Series points in addition to the prize money also on offer. The current standings on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019 can be viewed at the FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings. "The involvement of our member associations with a dedicated nations tournament is another significant and exciting step forward for FIFA and the development of eFootball globally. After the successful introduction of the FIFA eClub World Cup™ in recent years and the new team mode, we are looking forward to integrating this nation vs nation competition into our eFootball portfolio." said Luis Vicente, Chief Digital Transformation & Innovation Officer at FIFA. "Furthermore, the FIFA eNations Cup represents for us another great step in the growth and development of eFootball, further enhancing engagement with fans and players worldwide as well as allowing our member associations to develop and activate eFootball programs and competitions in their country" Vicente added. Taking place from 13 - 14 April 2019, the FIFA eNations Cup is one of eight Majors in the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series and one of three tournaments hosted by FIFA, which also includes the FIFA eClub World Cup™ and - the pinnacle event of eFootball - the FIFA eWorld Cup, which will take place at start of August 2019. More detailed information as well as the host city, competing nations and format for the FIFA eNations Cup will be announced shortly.
-
KiNG eSports crowned new FIFA eClub World Cup champions
KiNG eSports were crowned FIFA eClub World Cup champions today after a weekend of high-drama and excitement in London. Following a journey that saw over 150 teams battle it out in online qualifying and over two days of fierce competition between 16 of the world’s top eFootball teams, KiNG eSports emerged to claim the world title after a clinical performance which saw them beat Dijon SCO in both legs to secure the USD 40,000 top prize and maximum EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Points. KiNG eSports – an endemic eFootball team – included the two current world number ones on both consoles, Nicolas 'KiNG nicolas99fc' Villalba and Donovan 'KiNG Tekkz' Hunt. After becoming FIFA eClub World Cup champion, Donovan 'KiNG Tekkz' Hunt from KiNG eSports said: “Winning the FIFA eClub World Cup alongside my team-mate is incredible. The competition in eFootball to qualify and compete at these live events is now so intense. To come away with the FIFA eClub World Cup title, as well as the prize money and EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Points, is really special.” The crowning of the new FIFA eClub World Cup champion capped an exciting two days in London, which saw 32 of the world’s best eFootball players take a significant step forward on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup™ as well as the introduction of a new 2v2 team format to the competition for the very first time this year. The new 2v2 format - which saw two players play together as one team in the final round of each tie in the group stage, as well as the tiebreaking tie in the knockout phases – was a new innovation to this year’s competition. It provided a new tactical element for players and teams to contend with during eFootball’s pinnacle club competition. Christian Volk, Director of eFootball and Gaming at FIFA, said: “As the pinnacle club event in the eFootball calendar, the FIFA eClub World Cup 2019 has provided two days of high drama with the 2v2 team format adding an exciting new dynamic for players and spectators at this year’s event. “With the eFootball community and gaming scene continuing to professionalise and go from strength-to-strength, FIFA is continuing to identify new and exciting ways to further develop the eFootball ecosystem.”
-
2019 LoL Champions Korea Spring Media Day
On January 11th, Riot Games held '2019 LoL(League of Legends) Champions Korea Spring Media Day' at LoL Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Ahead of '2019 LoL Champions Korea Spring (2019 LCK Spring)' that will be held from January 16th, the event was organized to introduce the features of league management, with the officials including Jun-kyu Park, Korean representative of Riot Games, Sang-heon Oh, director of esports business, Cheol-hak Kim, secretary general of Korean eSports Association in attendance. ▲ '2019 LoL Champions Korea Spring Media Day' was held. As the first order, the operation policy of '2019 LCK Spring' was introduced. According to the announcement, '2019 LCK Spring' consists of a total of two rounds, with the first round being five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday and the second round being four days a week from Thursday to Sunday. Likewise, the league will be held from January 16th to March 31st, and the playoffs will start on April 3rd. The winners will be determined by the finals on April 13th. Broadcasting of '2019 LCK Spring' can be seen on TV cable channel SBS Afreeca and new medias such as Naver, Afreeca TV, and Facebook. In the case of foreign language broadcasts, Chinese version will be broadcasted on Huya TV, English on Facebook and Twitch, French on OhGaming, Japanese on OPENREC.tv, and German on Summoners' Inn. Moreover, the organization of the stadium and the contents of '2019 LCK Spring' are being prepared with the aim of showing like sports as much as possible. It was highlighted that a coach box where coaches, coaching staffs and waiting players are located, and an analysis desk that analyzes the progress of the game will provide more excitement to users through this season. Besides, since the round stadium is structured with open-type booths, white noise and sound curtain system will be actively utilized to thoroughly separate the sound of the audience and that of the stage. ▲ The league will start from January 16th, and the winner will be decided by the finals on April 13th. ▲ TV and new media broadcasting channels were introduced. ▲ International broadcasts will be also available in five languages. ▲ The goal is to show like sports as much as possible. On the other hand, regarding the game judgement, Riot Games and Korean eSports Association will organize a joint judgment committee for unifying the process. This is because referee's decision and confirmation by management had to be done separately in the past. The joint judgement committee of each competition will be composed of six referees including technical referees dispatched by Riot Games and game referees by Korean eSports Association. They will perform tasks such as field management before the match, game operation during the match, and game analyzation after the match. Meanwhile, for enhancing coping abilities and reinforcing capabilities of the referee, '2019 LCK Professional Referee Training Plan' is being pushed forward. As a method of training the referee in accordance with this plan, six referees are selected, and the training course consisting of basic courtesy training, theoretical education and field education has to be completed. After the training, the selectees will be working as an official LCK referees. ▲ Riot Games and Korean eSports Association will organize a joint judgment committee. ▲ '2019 LCK Professional Referee Training Plan' is being pushed forward. Following the operation policy of '2019 LCK Spring', the second order was prepared to listen to the coaches and players' commitments and determinations to this season. (Afreeca Freecs 'Spirit' Da-yoon Lee) Beginning this spring season, we will prepare hard to make good results in domestic and international competitions. (Afreeca Freecs Coach Yeon-sung Choi) We aim to achieve better results than last year, and we are preparing for the best. (kt Rolster 'Smeb' Kyeong-ho Song) LCK is likely to be fierce this year. As many new players have come in, we are working hard with a new mind. (kt Rolster Coach Chang-jong Oh) We want to show a better performance by achieving parts that we could not make last year. Since new players have come, we want to show the experienced kt and new kt as well. (Gen.G Esports 'CuVee' Sung-jin Lee) As I did not show a good picture at LCK last year, I will try to show a better picture this year. (Gen.G Esports Coach Woo-beom Choi) I believe the results will be better if we enjoy, so we will enjoy the match this year. (Hanwha Life Esports 'Sangyoon' Sang-yoon Kwon) I am practicing hard to show a good performance. I ask a lot of encouragement. (Hanwha Life Esports Coach Hyun-jong Kang) We want to go higher than the last season. We'll do the best. (Damwon Gaming 'Nuclear' Jong-hyun Shin) We have been receiving much attention with the promotion to LCK. I will take both cheering and criticism as stepping stone and try hard to show a better performance this season. (Damwon Gaming Coach Mok-kyung Kim) As a new LCK player, I will always try to learn. I will try my best and prepare the season. (Sandbox Gaming 'Joker' Jae-eup Jo) We want to get positive results with a perfect match, and become a team receiving positive comments. (Sandbox Gaming Coach Ui-joon Yoo) I want to know how far we can go up with our own style. (SK Telecom T1 'Faker' Sang-hyeok Lee) The results at KeSPA Cup left much to be desired since we just had gotten togerther as a team at that time. But, in the spring season, we will come back with a better performance. (SK Telecom T1 Coach Jung-kyun Kim) This season we want to show performance that fans will be satisfied with. (Griffin 'Sword' Sung-won Choi) We will make much effort to show good performance in LCK as KeSPA Cup. (Griffin Coach Dae-ho Kim) We will fight hard with other teams and win-win each other to increase global influence. (Jin Air GreenWings 'Stitch' Seung-ju Lee) As various players have gathered, we want to work hard with our first intention. We will do the best in the direction of further development. (Jin Air GreenWings Coach Sang-yong Han) The aim is to make an aggressive team and receive positive evaluation. (Kingzone DragonX 'TusiN' Jong-ik Park) Kingzone DrangonX is a new team, so we will try harder to go higher. (Kingzone DragonX Coach Dong-hoon Kang) Since all players are working hard lately, I am going to prove that Kingzone DragonX is a remarkable team. ▲ There was time to listen to each team's coach and players' commitment to this season.
-
Qualified Teams confirmed for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2019
The best 16 eFootball teams in the world are set to meet in London next month for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2019. Over 150 teams participated in the Online Qualification which took place in January and the 15 qualified teams will join the reigning Champion Brøndby IF, the only team to win the FIFA eClub World Cup so far by claiming the first place in the inaugural event in 2016 and in last year’s edition. The FIFA eClub World Cup will take place from 09 - 10 February 2019 in London. The qualified teams for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2019 are: AFC Ajax (Netherlands) AlNassr FC (Saudi Arabia) Brøndby IF (Denmark) NoFuchsGiven eSports (England) Dijon Football Côte-d'Or (France) ECV eSports (Netherlands) FaZe Clan (USA) Futbolist (Turkey) Imperial (England) KiNG eSports (Germany) Manchester City eSports (England) Prime NINJA (Japan) Team Vitality (France) Tricked eSport (Denmark) VFL Bochum 1848 (Germany) Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (England)
-
2018 LoL KeSPA Cup Finals Event
On December 31, 2018, ‘2018 LoL KeSPA Cup Finals’ was held at Gwanggaetogwan Convention Hall of Sejong University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The event was held to decide the winner of ‘2018 LoL KeSPA Cup’, which has been held from December 18th. Gen.G and Griffin, who won against KT Rolster and DAMWON Gaming in the semi-final, respectively, had a match of best of five. ▲ Gen.G and Griffin, who entered the finals, stood with the trophy in the middle. In the first set, Griffin won by succeeding in overturning the game through an engagement in a crisis situation. Griffin has been active all over the map early in the set and has made a prevailing atmosphere by destroying the bottom turret shield as well as scoring kill points. Thereupon, Gen.G fought back with kill points made by ‘CuVee’ Seong-jin Lee, and ‘Peanut’ Wang-ho Han. Also in the joint battle of the 11th minute, the situation became favorable with the performance of ‘Peanut’. Both teams exchanged attacks and tried to interfere with each other's aiming. Griffin got the first Baron, but the second Baron was stolen by Gen.G‘s ‘Peanut’, and Griffin was in crisis all over the map. However, while Griffin had been hurried and watched for a chance with 3 earth dragon buffs, at the huge engagement after the third fire dragon, ‘Lehends’ Si-woo Son won a victory with ‘Death Sentence’ skill and succeeded in turning the tables. Keeping the momentum, Griffin entered the opponent base, removed the tower and suppressor, destroyed the nexus and got the first set point. At the second set, Griffin succeeded in continuing the momentum of the previous set and once again won. At the beginning of the set, Griffin's 'Tarzan' Seung-yong Lee started pleasantly by stealing the red buff that Gen.G was hunting. At the engagement in the middle area of the 9th minute, ‘Chovy’ Ji-hoon Jeong’s Irelia jumped inside the opponent’s tower and pushed hard from the beginning with double kills. Gen.G succeeded in defending Griffin’s offensive with defensive tactics, but failed to overturn the situation while chasing the opponent for counterattack since the team rather counterattacked. At the situation, Griffin stole the Rift Herald that Gen.G was hunting and raised the pace of the offensive. Griffin continuously succeeded in destroying the second middle tower at the 23rd minute and raised the attack power by hunting the dragon. At the engagement occurred after hunting Baron, Griffin eliminated the champions of Gen.G without difficulty and arranged the middle line. In the end, Griffin successfully entered the opponent’s main base, eliminated Gen.G’s champions one by one, destroyed nexus, and finally scored the second set point. ▲ Griffin reversed the situation with the engagements won the first set. ▲ In the third set, Griffin also dominated the game by pushing the opponents hard from all areas. The third set, which was the last chance for Gen.G, was finished with a victory for Griffin who did not miss the chance. Until the first dragon appears in the game, both teams focused on the defense and did not show much movement. However, Griffin got the dragon and the clash had begun in earnest. After Griffin scored a point in the bottom area, Griffin went a little ahead with ‘Chovy’ Ji-hoon Jeong’s solo kill from Gen.G’s ‘Fly’ Yong-jun Song, but Gen.G soon narrowed the gap by recording three kills successively after Rift Herald. Nevertheless, the situation gradually became favorable to Griffin. In the top area, ‘Sword’ Sung-won Choi got Gen.G’s ‘CuVee’ Sung-jin Lee, summoned Rift Herald and succeeded in eliminating the first middle tower. Gen.G’s ‘Ruler’ Jae-hyuk Park tried counterattack with scoring several kills, but Gen.G soon lost power by blocking the attempt of stealing from Griffin’s ‘Peanut’ Wang-ho Han. Eventually, Griffin got into the main base of Gen.G, and the engagements took place on the access way at each line. Griffin managed to destroy the nexus while maintaining the dominant position, and set score 3 : 0 to win the championship. Meanwhile, as the MVP of the finals, Griffin’s ‘Chovy’ Ji-hoon Jeong, who showed powerful attack at every set, was selected. ▲ President of KeSPA, Young-man Kim, presented trophy and prize money to the winner Griffin. ▲ Griffin's 'Chovy' Ji-hoon Jeong was selected as the MVP of the finals.
-
FIFA and EA SPORTS unveil new FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings
• New weekly world rankings launched for FIFA Competitive Gaming • Players and fans now able to track progress on Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup™ • Rankings now available on FIFA.gg FIFA and EA SPORTS have unveiled today the FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings – a new, dedicated world rankings platform for eFootball. With more than 20 million players across 60 nations having participated in last season’s EA SPORTS FIFA Global Series, players and fans will now be able to monitor the progress of the world’s top competitive FIFA players throughout the season on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup. The new FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings will be updated on FIFA.gg every Tuesday after Weekend League* and competitive events within the Global Series, providing fans with an interactive platform to monitor the progress of the top FUT Champions verified( https://www.fifa.com/fifaeworldcup/how-to-play ) FIFA 19 players around the world. "The FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings will provide fans with a dedicated platform to follow the top players on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup, as well as establishing a regular worldwide competition ranking to further underline the exciting growth and professionalization of eFootball. Fans are now able to keep track on the results of their favourite players, and competitors themselves are able to monitor their standings during the season. We are looking forward to finding out who the best 32 competitors will be at the end of the season and welcoming them at the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019,“ said Luis Vicente, Chief Digital Transformation & Innovation Officer at FIFA. The FIFA 19 Global Series features a range of qualifying events both online and at live events. These include tournaments hosted by leading companies including PlayStation, Professional Gamers League (PGL) and Gfinity, as well as an anticipated 15 Official League Partners, FUT Champions Cups, the FIFA eClub World Cup and the brand new FIFA eNations Cup leading to the pinnacle event for eFootball: The FIFA eWorld Cup. “The introduction of a new and dedicated world ranking for FIFA gaming is a fantastic step forward by FIFA and EA SPORTS,“ said Mosaad 'Msdossary' Aldossary, reigning FIFA eWorld Cup Champion. "Not only will it help me track the progress of my rivals throughout the season, the FIFA 19 Global Series World Rankings will play an important role in further raising the profile of competitive FIFA gaming around the world and keep fans and the general public updated on who is in contention to compete to become FIFA eWorld Cup Champion at the end of the season.” *Points earned during the Weekend League will be reflected on each following week, not on the first Tuesday after each Weekend League.
-
FIFA and Electronic Arts reveals EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019
FIFA and Electronic Arts Inc. have announced today the tournament schedule for this season’s EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 Global Series*, mapping out the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019. Building on the success of the 2018-19 season and the significant and growing global interest in competitive FIFA gaming, this season’s tournament ecosystem expands as the number of Majors increases from two to six, an all-new Licensed Qualifier System being added – which is led by leading brands PlayStation, Professional Gamers League (PGL) and Gfinity, and involving an anticipated 20 official football league partners such as Bundesliga, Eredivisie, La Liga, Ligue 1, MLS, and the Premier League. This season also includes the unique FIFA eClub World Cup and two EA Champions Cups featuring the best FIFA Online 4 players in the world, as well as a brand new competition: the FIFA eNations Cup. Further details about the format and qualification for the FIFA eNations Cup will be announced over the coming weeks. “The growth of competitive FIFA is both exponential and undeniable,” said Todd Sitrin, SVP and GM of the EA Competitive Gaming Division. “On the heels of the global phenomenon that is the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 launch, the scope of the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series illustrates competitive FIFA’s rapid rise and solidifies its status as a tier one competitive franchise. This past season, we smashed all the previous viewership and engagement records for competitive FIFA, and we are excited to do the same again in the coming season.” The rise of EA SPORTS FIFA competitive gaming is enhanced through its accessibility, if you know the rules of football, you know the rules of FIFA. This approachability fuels not only increased player popularity, but spectator growth as well. It positions the franchise well for sustaining momentum as millions of football fans can understand the game. “Competitive FIFA captivates millions of fans around the world, and its unique connection to the world’s game presents new and innovative ways to uniquely connect football fans globally,” said Luis Vicente, Chief Digital Transformation & Innovation Officer at FIFA. “We’re thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with EA as we aim to push e-Football to new heights and to new audiences.” With more than 20 million players across 60 nations having participated in the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series, new pathways are now available to players aiming to qualify for the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series through the introduction of a new EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Points system. This new points system awards competitors for their cumulative performances across both online and live events and gives the opportunity for all eligible players to become a future star of FIFA eSports. It also increases their chances for EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs qualification and advancing to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019. “Building upon last season’s success, we wanted to give more players around the world the opportunity to compete in the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series, as well as elevate the profile of the superstars of FIFA,” said Brent Koning, EA SPORTS FIFA Competitive Gaming Commissioner. “Every detail of the competitive ecosystem is thoughtfully and strategically crafted to increase its engagement and entertainment for spectators, as well as accelerate our ultimate goal of making stars of all our players.” All eligible players interested in becoming a competitor in the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series must register on FUTChampions.com by October 31, 2018 and become FUT Champions Verified to earn EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series points. The top 60 competitors on the final EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series points leaderboard will qualify for the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs, and then only the best-of-the-best will advance to the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019. There, only one will be crowned the FIFA 19 World Champion. *Eligibility restrictions apply. See Official Rules and FUTChampions.com for details. Final terms and structure subject to change.
-
FIFA eWorld Cup 2018 Grand Final Reaches Record Global Audience
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced today that the FIFA eWorld Cup™ 2018 Grand Final achieved a record global audience – generating more than 29 million views across online platforms during the three-day event. Underlining the exciting potential growth for the tournament and competitive FIFA gaming, the global online audience for this year’s FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final represents a 400 percent increase in digital viewership over the 2017 FIFA Interactive World Cup Final and double the digital viewership of the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs held in Amsterdam May 28 - June 3. Peak concurrent viewership during the August 4 Grand Final broadcast was an estimated 322,000 across 12 digital platforms, in addition to being delivered to 19 broadcasters covering over 60 territories around the world.* The three-day Grand Final at The O2 in London brought together the 32 best FIFA players in the world with Mosaad “MSDossary” Aldossary from Saudi Arabia being crowned FIFA eWorld Cup Champion and winning the grand prize of $250,000 USD, as well as an exclusive invitation to The Best FIFA Football Awards™. As the final event of the season for competitive FIFA gaming, the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final was the culmination of the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series – a new format introduced this year that included international online and live events around the world. More than 20 million players from 60 different countries participated in competitive FIFA this season throughout the Global Series – representing one of the most inclusive and global competitive ecosystems in the eSports industry. Speaking about the event, Jean-Francois Pathy, FIFA Director of Marketing Services, said: “This year’s FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final was an important milestone in the progress and continued professionalization of competitive FIFA gaming. Following the move to a new venue and a new format, the success of this year has underlined the unique opportunity that competitive FIFA gaming has to engage with new fans and audiences, as well as how it can support FIFA’s ongoing efforts to drive interest and develop football around the world. “With a 400 percent increase in viewership from 2017 to 2018, we are thrilled with this year’s results and look forward to our continued partnership with EA SPORTS and accelerating our programs in the coming year.” Todd Sitrin, General Manager and Senior Vice President Competitive Gaming Division at EA SPORTS stated: “The power of real-world sports and esports is a massive multiplier, and this year’s increase in online viewership is indicative of this power coming to life. We've dramatically accelerated the growth of competitive gaming through the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series and this year's Grand Final, rallying the global football community together within this singular ecosystem that we know will only grow in the seasons to come.”
