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Olympic Council of Asia and AESF Introduces the ‘Road to Asian Games’ Campaign for 2022 Asian Games

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The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) has confirmed the introduction of the new program, ‘Road to Asian Games’ for the upcoming 2022 Asian Games. In addition, the OCA has confirmed again the appointment of the AESF as the only Technical Delegate who will take charge of all the matters of technical conduct for Esports events at the 2022 Asian Games.

The AESF will be the exclusive organizer of ‘Road to Asian Games’, the official qualifier program and competition of esports to the Asian Games final. The AESF is the first Esports federation to introduce a direct pathway, ‘Road to Asian Games,’ whereby event titles selection and confirmation will be decided by AESF and allow publishers to be part of an Olympic event such as the Asian Games. The campaign will begin in Hangzhou 2022, and with AESF to continue the organization of Esports through to Nagoya 2026, Doha 2030 and beyond. This initiative will be the first of its kind to bring fair and equal opportunities to all publishers and advance esports developments not just to Asia, but worldwide.

With Esports making its debut as a medal event at the Asian Games, the AESF ‘Road to Asian Games’ campaign will also extend beyond the competition scenes. This campaign will lay the foundation in bringing the Olympic Spirit to esports and introduce an education program for participating Esports athletes to share the Olympic Movement and Values not just in Asia, but globally. With plans for the promotion, sustainability and legacies underway, the emphasis will be on education and development in Esports. The key area of focus will be grassroots development, inclusion programs, career pathways, health and wellbeing support, as well as athlete’s rights and protection.

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The AESF is excited to accelerate the esports movement from competitive video gaming event into official sport event with the participation in the Continental Games. The AESF plans to include virtual and simulating sports to the ‘Road to Asian Games’ and finals competition as a demonstration event, which will further encourage and expand esports scope from traditional titles which are recognised as console, computer or mobile esports game events. This inclusion will also aim to encourage both sports and esports community to engage in physical activity and promote mental wellbeing.

To officialise the partnership for the ‘Road to Asian Games’ campaign and the confirmation on the roles & responsibilities of AESF, an official Signing Ceremony was held with the OCA Director General Dr. Husain A H Z Al-Musallam, OCA Director of Sports Mr. Haider A H E Farman, AESF President Mr. Kenneth Fok, and AESF Director General Mr. Sebastian Lau in attendance.

Announcing the partnership, Director General of OCA Dr. Husain AHZ Al-Musallam said “It is a great pleasure to officially announce our partnership between OCA and AESF for the new Esports program for our Asian Games and OCA will provide full support for successful Esports events at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. We wish the best to our partner AESF on the journey ahead,” he added.

In line with this partnership, the OCA reconfirms that the AESF is the sole official governing body of esports in Asia and will be fully responsible for all technical aspect of esports competitions at Asian Games as well as any other OCA events.

“I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the continuous support and trust from the OCA. I believe that the Asian Games presents the best stage for us to share Olympic Values with Esports community and we aim to make our Esports communities develop further through this opportunity. Also, we look forward to a successful collaboration with OCA as well as LOC.” said Mr. Fok in a speech during the signing.
Disclosing AESF’s role and responsibility, OCA Director of Sports Mr. Haider A H E Farman added, “Leading up to the Asian Games, the Asian Electronic Sports Federation will have the leading role and take full responsibility in the selection of esports titles in collaboration with the OCA. From the qualifying rounds to the grand finals of each esports event, rest assured that the OCA and AESF, together with LOC will work hand-in-hand, ensuring successful esports events for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.”

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Mr. Sebastian Lau of AESF further conveyed his gratitude during the ceremony, “As the Asian Federation, the AESF is honoured to be organizing the esports qualifiers and the Technical Delegate for the upcoming Asian Games. We will start from Hangzhou, and I am looking forward to exploring more opportunities together with all of you and make the evolution of esports further in Nagoya 2026, Doha 2030 and beyond.”

More than just an Esports event, the ‘Road to Asian Games’ and finals at the 19th Asian Games exhibits the growth of Esports from competitive gaming event to an official sport event and the AESF, with the full support of OCA and LOC, will assure the most competitive and extraordinary esports event to date.

Road to Asian Games Partnership Summary

Esports Event Title Selection
AESF will select the esports event titles to be contested for the qualifiers and finals at the 2022 Asian Game and make the final confirmation on the selected titles in collaboration with the OCA.

Eligibility and Participating Teams
Leading up to the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the AESF is responsible for identifying the finalists for their respective esports event titles through regional qualifiers as part of the ‘Road to Asian Games’ competition campaign which will lead to the Final at 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Qualifiers and Finals
The AESF will form the qualifying and final tournament structure for all esports events and conduct the qualifiers for all participating Asian countries at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in collaboration with the OCA.

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Community Outreach Programs
As part of the Asian Games community outreach, AESF will deliver and execute the AESF Experience Program with full support from the OCA. Aiming to connect with the esports community and fans alike, this program also aims to deliver the best Esports experience while also attracting new esports fans.

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Jetapult Strengthens AI Expertise: Onboards Industry Leaders, Oz Silahtar and Dr. Arjun Jain

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Jetapult, an AI-driven gaming investment firm, has strengthened its AI suite by bringing on board two industry leaders—Oz Silahtar and Dr. Arjun Jain. This move reinforces Jetapult’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced AI capabilities across mobile game studios, with a clear focus on solving real industry challenges. These include streamlining content production through large-scale asset generation, automating UA creatives and ASO strategies in a post-IDFA world, and integrating performance and user data systems to enable smarter, faster decision-making.

Oz Silahtar, an MIT alumnus and serial AI entrepreneur, brings deep expertise in machine learning and generative AI. He previously founded Tarentum AI and UA Hero (acquired by TapNation), and was Head of EMEA at Leonardo.ai, which was acquired by Canva in 2024. At Jetapult, he will guide studios in applying global AI best practices to boost operational efficiency and content innovation.

Joining him is Dr. Arjun Jain, a generative AI and computer vision expert with a Ph.D. from the Max-Planck Institute. He has held key roles at global tech leaders like Apple and is best known for his pioneering work on motion capture technology at Weta Digital for Steven Spielberg movies (The Adventures of Tintin). At Jetapult, Dr. Jain will lead efforts in large-scale asset generation and AI-assisted content creation, streamlining production pipelines across mobile gaming studios.

Oz Silahtar, Partner, AI Platforms, Jetapult, said, “As an AI entrepreneur, I’ve always been focused on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with machine learning and generative AI. I see Jetapult’s vision as a bold and timely move to transform mobile gaming. The team is exceptional, and the opportunity to apply AI — from rapid content creation to precision player targeting — is immense.”

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Sharan Tulsiani, Co-founder and CEO of Jetapult, said, “AI isn’t just a tool — it’s the new infrastructure for how games will be built, scaled, and experienced. At Jetapult, we’re not just adapting to this shift — we’re leading it. By bringing in experts like Oz and Dr. Jain, we’re doubling down on our belief that the future of game development lies in AI-native studios. With our GamePac AI platform, we’re giving studios the ability to move faster, create smarter, and operate more efficiently — unlocking a new era of scalable, data-driven creativity in mobile gaming.”

Jetapult’s proprietary GamePac AI suite is built to unlock greater efficiency for studios by integrating AI directly into everyday workflows. Currently used across its portfolio companies, GamePac helps automate asset creation, generate performance-optimized ads, and equip game teams with tools that drive speed, creativity, and smarter decision-making—laying the foundation for more scalable and efficient game development.

Jetapult is actively enhancing its AI capabilities by recruiting top-tier talent, including engineers, researchers, and creatives. The company is focused on building the next generation of AI-native studios across high-growth markets, where creativity and automation converge to unlock new opportunities in gaming.

The post Jetapult Strengthens AI Expertise: Onboards Industry Leaders, Oz Silahtar and Dr. Arjun Jain appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Riot Games announces Legends Ascend South Asia

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Riot Games has announced the launch of Legends Ascend South Asia in association with Aftermath Ventures. Kicking off on April 27, the tournament will be an open-for-all, online-only amateur competition, marking a bold new chapter for competitive League of Legends in the region.

Legends Ascend South Asia runs for four months and features a robust tournament structure, including three open qualifiers, a round-robin league stage, and double-elimination playoffs. With a prize pool of INR 10,00,000, the tournament reflects a strong commitment to building a structured and credible competitive scene for League of Legends players in the region. The winning team will also qualify for the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs, where teams will battle for a place in the LCP promotion and relegation tournament.

Speaking on the upcoming Legends Ascend, Arun Rajappa, Country Manager India & South Asia, Riot Games, said: “Legends Ascend is about giving players in South Asia a real shot at competitive League of Legends. It’s a step towards building a stronger, more connected community where players and fans can all find more ways to play, engage, grow, and be part of something bigger.”

Tailored for the region’s core League of Legends players, Legends Ascend offers a structured, high-intensity environment that rewards skill, strategy, and consistency. Open to teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, the tournament presents a global competitive model, delivering a professional experience from start to finish. Teams can sign up for open qualifier #1 by registering here.

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Mansoor ‘Nabu’ Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Aftermath Ventures, said: “Legends Ascend South Asia is more than just a tournament—it’s a platform built to empower a new generation of League players in the region. From playing the game ourselves to now hosting it for the community, this moment is incredibly special. Our partnership with Riot Games marks a milestone in our mission to create consistent, high-quality opportunities for emerging talent. We’re excited to see South Asia rise, compete, and make its mark on the global League of Legends stage.” All matches will be broadcast on Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube Channel, giving fans front-row access to every game-changing moment, clutch play, and underdog stories that could define the next breakout star.

The initiative is a step forward in Riot’s long-term mission to cultivate a sustainable competitive community in South Asia by creating more opportunities for amateur players in the region.

Legends Ascend South Asia: All You Need to Know

  • Registration: Registrations for the Legends Ascend begin on April 27, 2025.
  • Registration Link: Teams can sign up for open qualifier #1 by registering here.
  • Tournament Format: Teams from across South Asia can compete through 3 Open Qualifiers, followed by a Round Robin League stage, and culminating in double-elimination playoffs.
  • Duration: 27th April to 3rd Aug 2025
  • Broadcast: Live Broadcast for Legends Ascend begins on May 4 on Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube Channel
  • Prize Pool: INR 10,00,000

○ The winner also qualifies for the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs.

Key Dates

  • Open Qualifier #1:

○Registrations: 27th April to 3rd May

○Matches: 4th to 11 May

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  • Open Qualifier #2:

○Registrations: 12th to 17th May

○Matches: 18th to 25th May

  • Open Qualifier #3:

○Registrations: 26th May to 31st May

○Matches:1st to 8th June

Round Robin League: 13th June to 20th July

Playoffs (Top 4 Double Elimination): 25th July to 3rd August

Join the Action

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The Legends Ascend South Asia Amateur Online Championship is the beginning of a new chapter for League of Legends in the region. Whether you’re a player looking to prove your skill or a fan ready to cheer

for your favorite underdog, Legends Ascend invites everyone to witness the rise of South Asia’s next generation of League stars.

Stay tuned to Riot Games India & South Asia’s social channels and Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube channel for live match coverage, team stories, and tournament updates. Get ready for action-packed weekends as the Legends Ascend live broadcast goes live starting May 4, exclusively on the Fragnation YouTube channel.

The post Riot Games announces Legends Ascend South Asia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025

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As excitement builds for G2E Asia 2025, Zitro is set to make a powerful statement with the debut of its all-new CONCEPT cabinet line alongside a portfolio of new, tailor-made game titles designed specifically for the Asian gaming market. This year’s lineup reflects Zitro’s continued evolution as a key player in gaming innovation, offering both cutting-edge hardware and captivating content.

Among the titles on display will be Legendary SwordTriple Charm JourneyFairyland QuestKing Fu FrogMerging Fu PotsLucky Vaulty, and Cash Totems—each developed with exciting features, enhanced with rich narratives, and high-quality multimedia to elevate player engagement across diverse markets.

Zitro’s rising influence in Asia is evident. The company’s recent expansion in the Philippines—where Zitro’s slot games are among the top performers in casinos within Entertainment City—underscores its rapid success in the region.

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“We are proud to showcase our latest innovations at G2E Asia 2025,” said Sebastián Salat, President International of Zitro. “Our commitment to the Asian market remains steadfast, and we are confident that our player-centric products—crafted with deep understanding of the region’s vibrant gaming culture—will resonate with both operators and players. The introduction of our CONCEPT cabinet line and ambitious 2025 game release roadmap in place marks a new chapter for Zitro in this market, and we look forward to sharing it with the Asian gaming community.”

The post ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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