eSports
GEF Reveals Innovation Showcase Partners for Commonwealth Esports Championship
The Global Esports Federation (GEF) has revealed that the forthcoming Commonwealth Esports Championships will feature a dedicated Innovation Showcase area, shining light on powerful Active Esports technologies that are leading in the convergence of esports and sport.
Three key presenting partners – Refract Technologies, Init Esports and the World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA) – have been confirmed for the Innovation Showcase, which will run during the #CEC2022 in Birmingham from 5-7 August 2022.
“The Innovation Showcase at the first-ever Commonwealth Esports Championships will provide a live, interactive opportunity for these leading partners to share their technology and innovations with the athletes and ticket holders. The Global Esports Federation is proud to provide this opportunity and forum to connect, discuss and share these innovations. Esports and its related sectors are built around communities, and we are proud to collaborate with leading innovators like Refract, Init Esports and the WFFA,” Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF, said.
Refract Technologies, GEF’s Global Partner for Interactive Technology, is a Singapore-based group of engineers, game producers, artists, and entrepreneurs with a deep passion for, and experience in the gaming and technology industries.
Refract will demonstrate AXIS, a proprietary real-time, full-body, motion-tracking solution offering untethered freedom of movement, turning the body into a real-time game controller. Players can use this to play FreeStriker, a first-person fighting game in a futuristic virtual arena. Refract will also be showcasing Tic Tac Bow, a new mobile archery game.
“Refract is thrilled to have this opportunity to showcase AXIS, our proprietary active gaming technology, as well as our game titles, at the first-ever Commonwealth Esports Championships. We are proud to partner with the GEF. Besides directly engaging with games fans and esports spectators through our Live exhibit, we also hope to inspire more developers and content creators around the world to join us in redefining game experiences and extending human experience beyond reality,” Michael Chng, CEO of Refract Technologies, said.
Init Esports is a woman-led startup that focuses on sim racing special events and motorcycle esports tournaments, bringing esports content to fans and sponsorship opportunities to brands. At the Innovation Showcase they will demonstrate Sim Racing experience by Init Esports, using the market-leading game Assetto Corsa Competizione.
“Sim racing creates a direct line into the real world. Current F1 and NASCAR race car drivers practice their skills on simulators, and gamers perfect their talent to have a chance to fill a seat in an F1 car or become a digital esports sim racing champion. It’s so interconnected. Motorsports and gaming tend to be heavy on the male side and sim racing can provide a relatable and less threatening way for everyone interested in both industries. The possibility to make mistakes while playing is also very important because it can shape one individual life to keep trying and learning. Proud for this collaboration with the GEF. During the #CEC2022 everyone new to esports – should come and try a sim – and for the experts to show the public how engaging it is,” said Stefy Bau, CEO of Init Esports, three-time motocross World Champion.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and GeoGuessr announced that GeoGuessr will join the Esports World Cup Festival tournament program, a new series of competitive events held alongside the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC). The Esports World Cup and its accompanying EWC Festival will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.
The EWC Festival will play host to a Last Chance Wildcard Tournament for the 2025 GeoGuessr World Championship. Taking place during Week 3 (July 21–27), the last chance tournament will feature a $20,000 prize pool and award two spots for the GeoGuessr World Championship later this year in Copenhagen on August 29–30. 16 of the top ranked GeoGuessr players will be invited to compete for the final two places on the global stage.
Celebrated for transforming online exploration into a competitive experience, GeoGuessr joins the EWC Festival as a global fan favorite. Launched in 2013, the geography-based guessing game gained worldwide momentum in 2020, similar to Chess, which also debuts at EWC 2025 this year. Since then, GeoGuessr has attracted millions of players to its browser-based and Steam platforms, connecting players through exploration of countries, continents, and cultures. Using the widely recognized Google Street View, GeoGuessr makes exploring the world accessible to all.
“We’re excited to welcome GeoGuessr to the Esports World Cup 2025 as part of our EWC Festival tournament program,” said Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Few games have captured the imagination of players around the world quite like it – its blend of exploration, puzzle solving, and fast-paced competition has turned it into a global phenomenon. Together, we are bringing GeoGuessr’s official tournament to the Middle East to grow global ecosystems, expand opportunities for players and fans, and showcase the diversity of modern competitive gaming on the world’s biggest stage.”
Since launching the official GeoGuessr World Championship in 2023, the game has further elevated itself into a professional esport, with elite players and creators drawing global audiences across competitive circuits and livestreams.
The inclusion of GeoGuessr at EWC represents a major milestone for the game’s competitive scene, placing it alongside iconic titles and opening new opportunities to reach players and fans worldwide. The EWCF remains committed to providing games with strong communities and competitive potential the platform to grow and thrive.
The Esports World Cup Festival is a global celebration of gaming and esports culture. From esports tournaments and live music stages to retro arcades, anime cafes, cosplay shows and creator studios, the EWC Festival invites millions to explore and play together in the heart of Riyadh during the Esports World Cup.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool.
The post GeoGuessr Joins the Esports World Cup Festival 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Esportes da Sorte
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces Hugo Baungartner as Executive Director for Institutional Relations and Partnerships
The executive will focus on expanding the group’s presence in Brazil’s regulated market, with an emphasis on institutional engagement, new business, and compliance.
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group composed of Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces the appointment of Hugo Baungartner as its new Executive Director of Institutional Relations and Strategic Partnerships (Chief Business Officer – CBO). He joins the company’s leadership team with the mission of strengthening institutional engagement with public authorities, regulatory bodies, and strategic partners, as well as driving the continued expansion of the group in Brazil.
Baungartner will be responsible for liaising with institutions such as the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF), the Federal Revenue Service, the Central Bank, and COAF, as well as certification bodies and accredited laboratories. His responsibilities also include preparing the company for developments in the regulatory landscape.
“Hugo’s arrival strengthens our ability to act strategically in a constantly evolving sector. He brings an experienced, technical perspective aligned with the principles of governance and innovation that guide our group’s companies,” said Darwin Filho, CEO of Esportes Gaming Brasil.
“Brazil is going through a crucial moment in regulating the sector, and being at the forefront of this movement with such a relevant group is a challenge that truly motivates me. Our goal is to ensure our operations not only meet legal requirements but also serve as a benchmark for best practices, innovation, and sustainable growth,” said Hugo Baungartner.
With over 28 years of experience in the technology and gaming sectors, Baungartner will also be responsible for developing partnerships with global providers, evaluating merger and acquisition opportunities (M&A), and structuring new projects with full legal and regulatory compliance. He previously held leadership roles at companies such as Grupo Aposta Ganha, RCT Gaming, and Prohards.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces Hugo Baungartner as Executive Director for Institutional Relations and Partnerships appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
eSports
Thunderpick World Championship Returns for 2025 with $1 Million Prize Pool – and a Commitment to 2026
Thunderpick, the leading online esports betting platform, announced the return of the Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) for 2025, featuring a $1 million USD prize pool. Reinforcing its long-term vision for Counter-Strike esports, Thunderpick also confirmed its commitment to continue the championship in 2026 and beyond.
After the thrilling finale of the 2024 season—where The MongolZ triumphed over HEROIC in a 3-1 Grand Final—Thunderpick is once again raising the bar for Counter-Strike competition. TWC remains one of the largest independently sponsored CS2 tournaments globally, underscoring Thunderpick’s ambition to grow and elevate the esports ecosystem.
TWC 2025 returns with Regional Series events in North America, South America and Europe, culminating in the Tier 1 LAN Final in Malta from October 15 to October 19, with $850,000 USD on the line.
This year’s championship, presented by Hotspawn (Hotspawn.com), debuts a refreshed visual identity, featuring innovative production elements and viewer-first features, aiming to deliver an engaging and immersive experience for CS2 fans worldwide.
The full 2025 event schedule is as follows:
- TWC EU1: April 28 – May 7, 2025
- TWC NA1: May 8 – May 16, 2025
- TWC SA1: June 27 – July 2, 2025
- TWC SA2: July 8 – July 13, 2025
- TWC NA2: July 24 – August 1, 2025
- TWC EU2: August 5 – August 14, 2025
- TWC Finals Closed Qualifier: September 9 – September 11, 2025
- TWC Finals Malta (LAN): October 15 – October 19, 2025
All matches are broadcast live on twitch.tv/thunderpicktv.
“As we head into our third year of the Thunderpick World Championship, our mission remains clear: to provide a world-class tournament experience for players and fans alike,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “With our 2025 plans underway and 2026 already in motion, we’re proud to continue investing in the future of CS2.”
In a strategic collaboration, Thunderpick partners with Hotspawn (Hotspawn.com) – the website built for esport and video game enthusiasts by those who share the same passion.
With an unrivaled dedication to community, the two organizations are committed to delivering the engaging entertainment and fairplay that players and audiences both want and deserve. Hotspawn Editor in Chief Sophie McCarthy said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Thunderpick World Championship, an event that is fast becoming one of the most exciting in the Counter-Strike calendar. This partnership is a huge milestone for Hotspawn as we go all in on the biggest tournaments and we’re excited to bring our community even closer to the action.”
The post Thunderpick World Championship Returns for 2025 with $1 Million Prize Pool – and a Commitment to 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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