Videogames
Games studios, celebrities & players unite to ‘Make Green Tuesday Moves’
Leading games studios are marking Earth Day by joining disruptive NPO PlanetPlay’s groundbreaking new Make Green Tuesday Moves (MGTM) initiative, which will enable both industry and players to make an important real-world impact in the fight against climate change.
SYBO (Subway Surfers), Lockwood Publishing (Avakin Life), Ten Square Games (Fishing Clash) and CM Games (Nitro Nation) have all been confirmed as proud MGTM launch partners.
On the first Tuesday of each month, starting June 4th 2024, each participating studio will launch a ‘green’ item (or bundle of items) within their game(s) that will be exclusive to the MGTM movement, remaining live until the next monthly activation begins.
The inaugural MGTM will see 100% of the proceeds from the sale of in-game items – which can comprise new and/or upcycled DLC goods such as characters, costumes and objects – invested into fully certified sustainability projects by not-for-profit digital platform PlanetPlay.
Throughout the year a number of the MGTM activations will be supported by a ‘Star of the Month’ from the world of entertainment, supported by a huge social media campaign, helping to inspire gamers all around the world to ‘Make Green Tuesday Moves’.
The first wave of MGTM partner studios have over 36 million daily players1, with games that have been played over 4 billion times2, estimated at 400m monthly active users.
All studios need to do in order to participate in the MGTM initiative is integrate PlanetPlay’s API and/or promo codes to release an item or items on the PlanetPlay store or in-game, as well as supporting the Movement through their own comms channels.
When celebrities are involved in the Movement, PlanetPlay will provide licenses to studios which means that they can create items/DLCs relating to the celebrities, following the theme of the active superstar – with a CTA around Make Green Tuesday Moves.
All gamers need to do is harness their #PassiveActivism, by continuing to play the games they love, with no change in style or habit required to contribute to amazing sustainability causes.
These sustainability causes include PlanetPlay’s flagship Hongera Project, which aims to help over 150,000 families in Kenya improve their living conditions by manufacturing and distributing clean cookstoves to local communities, resulting in around 2,000,000 tonnes of carbon emissions being saved.
A collaboration with Ten Square Games in the widely-played Fishing Clash resulted in an engaging in-game event, rallying 50,000 users and raising €20,000 for the WAI Wanaka water conservation project in New Zealand.
PlanetPlay’s in-game green activations also generate proven uplift for studio partners across multiple commercial and engagement metrics. Lockwood Publishing saw green content from GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Fat Joe feature as part of its Avakin Life virtual world, driving a 6% increase in downloads on the Google Play store over the launch period, plus a 104.8% uplift in new user acquisition. That was alongside a 58.7% upswing in re-activated players, 1,600% uplift in sales of one particular in-game item and a further 458% increase in sales across 30 other items.
In addition, a recent collaboration with Latin artist J Balvin and SYBO’s popular Subway Surfers game saw a portion of the proceeds from the star’s in-game character purchases donated via PlanetPlay to the Hongera Project. Plus, limited edition t-shirts featuring special designs inspired by J Balvin were made available through the PlanetPlay storefront and bundled with a variable carbon emissions reduction starting at a minimum of 100 kg CO2.
SYBO and PlanetPlay were able to offset over 2,000 tons of carbon emissions in the campaign’s three-week run, the equivalent of a concert with nearly 100,000 guests.
PlanetPlay is a not-for-profit digital platform that allows players around the world to contribute to climate action through in-game purchases and gameplay with affiliated game studios.
In the coming months, PlanetPlay will unveil more exciting Green Tuesday partnerships with game makers, fashion brands and music industries.
Rhea Loucas, Founder and CEO of PlanetPlay, said: “The need for climate action is more pressing than ever, and the games industry is one of the most powerful agents to spark real-world change. Our founding MGTM partners boast some of the most popular games in the world right now, enabling us to collectively engage with global fanbases to help raise environmental awareness and fund great sustainability causes.”
Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO at SYBO, said: “Make Green Tuesday Moves is a testament to what is possible when creativity, technology, and a passion for the planet come together – we are proud supporters of all those things here at Sybo. PlanetPlay’s initiatives, including within our own Subway Surfers, have not only elevated the player experience, but have also inspired others in the industry to follow suit, proving that games can be a powerful force for positive environmental change. I’m so excited about what we can achieve with MGTM.”
Halli Thor Bjornsson, CEO at Lockwood Publishing, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of the Make Green Tuesday Moves initiative, having experienced the amazing results of PlanetPlay’s in-game sustainability efforts first-hand within our Avakin Life community. MGTM not only aligns with our values as a studio, but also empowers players to support meaningful, verified sustainability projects around the world. We look forward to delivering a green slice of fun each first Tuesday, and can’t wait to see the real-world benefits of MGTM.”
Andrzej Ilczuk, CEO at Ten Square Games, said: “This collaboration is particularly close to our hearts, as it ties directly into the themes of nature and conservation found in our Fishing Clash and Hunting Clash games. As the first studio participating in Make Green Tuesday Moves, we firmly believe we can leverage the passion of our players and our creativity to combat climate change. This is a powerful example of how games can go beyond entertainment and foster a positive impact on the environment.”
Maria Tyshkovskaya, Head Of Marketing at CM Games, said: “Make Green Tuesday Moves by PlanetPlay is an example where actions speak louder than words. As champions of sustainability, we at CM Games gladly join the movement, knowing that our efforts echo through the gaming community. Together, we pave the way for a greener future, leaving a legacy of positive change for generations to come.”
Jose Cranfield, Education Lead at WAI Wānaka, said: “The funding from PlanetPlay has amplified our project from a small community level citizen science project to provide publishable research on microplastics. It’s given us a way to attract researchers to the region and to produce a method that can now be reliably shared across the country making our data comparable to others doing similar research in their catchments. The funding has allowed us to reach a larger audience and communicate our message through storytelling, at cinemas, at events and in the classroom.”
The post Games studios, celebrities & players unite to ‘Make Green Tuesday Moves’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
- Virtus.pro are the heavy favourites to win the CS2 Thunderpick World Championship 2024 with a 42.2% chance of victory in Berlin, Germany
- With s1mple in their ranks, Team Falcons have a 28.9% chance of making the LAN finals which would be his first LAN appearance in CS2
- If he takes Team Falcons all the way, s1mple would have a good shot at winning the MVP title, taking him to 22 all-time MVPs, two clear of his closest contender Zyw0o
- HEROIC are second favourites at 23.1% coming into the tournament on a great run of form after getting to the semi-finals of IEM RIO
Virtus.pro have been forecast to come out as winners of the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 in Berlin, Germany by the CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament Supercomputer.
The Russian team are expected to clear up with a mighty 42.2% chance of going all the way to win the tournament according to the Supercomputer’s predictions.
However, with the one and only s1mple set to play in his first official match since March there is a chance that the GOAT leads Team Falcons to a shock result.
CS2 Thunderpick World Championship 2024 predicted by the CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament Supercomputer
Final: Virtus.pro (42.2%) to beat HEROIC (23.1%)
Third place play-off: The MongolZ (15.0%) to beat M80 (6.8%)
Semifinal 1: Virtus.pro (59.8%%) to beat The MongolZ (29.3%)
Semifinal 2: HEROIC (41.0%) to beat M80 (10.8%)
Quarterfinal 1: G2 Esports (39.8%) to beat FaZe Clan (32.8%)
Quarterfinal 2: MOUZ (35.9%) to beat Eternal Fire (24.7%)
Group stage:
- Virtus.pro – 42.2% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 77.1% to make LAN Finals
- HEROIC – 23.1% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 66.9% to make LAN Finals
- The MongolZ – 13.3% to finish 1st at LAN Finals: 49.2% to make LAN Finals
- M80 – 4.0% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 26.7% to make LAN Finals
- BIG – 2.9% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 25.1% to make LAN Finals
- Team Falcons – 2.4% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 28.9% to make LAN Finals
- Imperial Esports – 2.1% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 26.0% to make LAN Finals
- 9z – 3.0% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 20.1% to make LAN Finals
- 3DMAX – 2.2% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 19.6% to make LAN Finals
- Fnatic – 1.0% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 11.2% to make LAN Finals
- Ninjas in Pyjamas – 0.9% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 11.1% to make LAN Finals
- Aurora – 0.7% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 9.4% to make LAN Finals
- BESTIA – 0.5% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 7.6% to make LAN Finals
- Legacy – 0.8% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 7.6% to make LAN Finals
- Cloud9 – 0.4% to finish 1st at LAN Finals; 7.9% to make LAN Finals
- Bleed Esports – 0.5% to finish 13-16th; 5.6% to make playoffs
If Team Falcons can make the LAN finals in Berlin, it would be s1mple’s first LAN appearance on CS2 — the team have a 28.9% chance to do just that but are outsiders to win the competition at just 2.4%. With s1mple in their ranks though, who knows what can happen.
Should he flip the odds in their favour, he would surely be the player to seize the MVP award for the tournament, a feat that would take him up to an all-time record of 22 MVP titles, and two clear of his closest rival, Zyw0o.
HEROIC go into the tournament in great form having reached the semi-finals at IEM Rio, which came as a surprise to many. They have been given a 66.9% chance of making the LAN finals and a 23.1% chance of taking the trophy.
Yet it is Virtus.pro who are the most favoured outfit by the SuperComputer mode. Despite struggling through a rocky time after signing Major-winner electroNic for a reported seven-figure fee they have been backed to make a big impact on the competition.
Once seen as the gatekeepers to tier 1 Counter-Strike, Virtus.pro are a yardstick for other teams to measure themselves against to prove they have the quality to mix it in the higher levels of the sport.
Given that this is scheduled to be the last event before the Perfect World Shanghai Major RMRs for many teams, a good result could give them the momentum to fly into the Major season or even qualify for the last Major of 2024.
How was the CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer created?
The CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer is a predictive model created using world ranking points, team quality ratings and performance trends. An element of randomness is also included in the model to avoid the best teams and players always winning, to reflect the fact that upsets can happen.
Every tournament is simulated 1,000 times with the results aggregated into a percentage rating of the chances teams or players have to achieve the predicted result.
CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer results in full
The post CS2 Thunderpick World Championship 2024 Supercomputer: Virtus.pro beat HEROIC in final appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
- After an intense battle, champions have emerged victorious at Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024, held at the majestic Castillo de Almodóvar del Río in Spain!
- Claiming victory over the weekend, Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher, Alexis “MarineLorD” Eusebio, Themistoklis “TheMista” Bonidis and Nguyễn “Chim Sẻ Đi Nắng” Đức Bình were crowned
- The tournament featured some of the best global talent, with Riley Knight and Salome “Soe” Gschwind-Repp taking up the mantle as tournament hosts
- As the official partners of 2024, AGON by AOC, AMD and Backforce delivered the ultimate gaming experience for players
After a tournament of breathtaking battles and fierce strategy, champions have emerged victorious at Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024, claiming titles across four legendary Age of Empires games in front of a roaring crowd at the iconic Castillo de Almodóvar del Río. In one of the most epic Age of Empires showdowns in recent history, these skilled strategists conquered a star-studded field of global competitors to etch their names into the annals of Wololo history.
The champions of Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024 are:
- Age of Empires I: Nguyễn “Chim Sẻ Đi Nắng” Đức Bình
- Age of Empires II: Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher
- Age of Empires IV: Alexis “MarineLorD” Eusebio
- Age of Mythology: Retold: Themistoklis “TheMista” Bonidis
Following edge-of-your-seat matches, these four players reigned supreme across AoE I, AoE II, AoE IV, and Age of Mythology: Retold. Their triumphant journeys through the castle’s medieval courtyard, a setting befitting the Age of Empires saga, culminated in stunning grand finales that captivated fans both live and online.
The seventh edition of Red Bull Wololo saw Age of Empire II champion, Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher, battle against a fiercely competitive roster to claim a well-deserved victory. Facing down 2021 champion Ørjan “TheViper” Larsen in a thrilling grand final, the pair’s display of brilliant strategic play, showmanship and impressive skill saw that the fight for the crown remained intense until the final moment.
Age of Mythology: Retold also made its competitive debut at Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024, adding a mythical twist to the tournament. Themistoklis “TheMista” Bonidis claimed the title of inaugural champion, demonstrating exceptional skill and bringing glory to their chosen god. In Age of Empires I, Nguyễn “Chim Sẻ Đi Nắng” Đức Bình emerged victorious after a fearsome showdown against Đỗ “Xuân Thứ” Thứ, while the Age of Empires IV grand final saw Alexis “MarineLorD” Eusebio crowned.
The tournament, hosted from October 3rd-6th, welcomed a blend of seasoned professionals and rising stars, all seeking to prove their dominance across the Age of Empires universe. As the newest champions of the esteemed Red Bull Wololo series, these players lay claim not only to prestigious titles but also global recognition among Age of Empires dedicated community.
This year’s edition, Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado, took place in the breathtaking surroundings of the Castillo de Almodóvar del Río in Cordoba, Spain, an immersive location that added an extra layer of grandeur to the competition. The incredible event saw players face off in LAN battles within the castle walls, with a live audience of fans witnessing thrilling culminations of in-game ranked ladder champions, online qualifiers, and invited elite players. The final stage of the competition saw intense matchups that had the audience on the edge of their seats.
The Red Bull Wololo series has long been the gold standard for Age of Empires esports. Now, with its seventh edition complete, the tournament continues to elevate the competitive scene. Supported by industry-leading partners, including AGON by AOC, AMD and Backforce delivering the ultimate gaming experience for players, Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado was an unforgettable spectacle.
The post Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024 Crowns its Victors! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
LVL Presents The Thunderpick World Championship, CS2 Finals, Live! Tickets Available for Purchase on Oct. 1
LVL, in collaboration with GRID, proudly announced today that it will host the 2024 Thunderpick World Championship 2024 Finals. The global professional CS2 tournament with a record-setting $1 million (USD) prize pool, along with LVL, one of the premier venues for gaming and esports in Berlin, promises a electrifying LAN event for all Counter-Strike fans!
Official teaser video on youtube: LVL presents Thunderpick World Championship 2024
Tickets to the event, which is shaping to be one of the most exciting events this year with some of the biggest names in esports, will go on sale tomorrow, Oct. 1.
The Thunderpick World Champions 2024 Finals will feature an online GSL Group Stage which will take place from Oct. 21 to 25.
The 16 teams – including:
- BLEED,
- Cloud9,
- Legacy,
- M80,
- Imperial,
- BESTIA,
- BIG,
- HEROIC,
- fnatic,
- Falcons,
- Virtus.
- Pro
and more — will be split into four groups, each with four teams. They will compete within their group for a berth in the single-elimination Playoffs, with the top two teams per group advancing and the remaining two being disqualified.
The eight winning teams will then compete head-to-head in best-of-three matchups on Oct. 26 in the Quarterfinals. The four winning teams proceed to the Semifinals on Nov. 2, played live at LVL in Berlin.
On Nov. 3,, the two losing teams will compete for third place, followed by the best-of-five Grand Final, where the two winning teams will then compete for the title and $500,000 first prize.
“With the stakes higher than ever thanks to a $1M prize pool, crazy talented teams, and an awesome production team, the Thunderpick World Championship is shaping up to be an event fans will not want to miss, and now with LVL, fans can experience all the action in-person,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy for Thunderpick. “Due to the size of the venue, we expect tickets to sell out fast, so we encourage fans to secure their seats now for this epic event!”
The broadcast will be lead by a star-studded lineup of talent:
- Desk Host: Tres “stunna” Saranthus
- Analyst: Janko “YNk” Paunović
- Analyst: Sudhen “Bleh” Wahengbam
- Caster: Hugo “Hugo” Byron
- Caster: Adam “Dinko” Hawthorne
- Interviewer: Edona “Dona Spock” Musliu
This is the second year of the Thunderpick World Championship. In 2023, the total prize pool was $600,000 and FaZe Clan won the Grand Final. For this year’s event, competing teams participated in six qualifier rounds across three global regions – Europe, North America and South America – which started in April.
Tickets to the event, which are limited, can be purchased on lvl.global.
GRID is the official esports services provider and data partner of the Thunderpick World Championship. GRID’s comprehensive suite, featuring cutting-edge tournament tools, data visualization, and robust infrastructure, will be pivotal in enhancing the integrity, security, and commercial potential of the Thunderpick World Championship 2024.
The post LVL Presents the Thunderpick World Championship Finals Live appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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