eSports
Exclusive Q&A/Widget with Nicolas Marlier, CTO at PandaScore
What motivated you to upgrade your Widget product?
Our revamped Widget 2.0 product builds on the huge success of the original solution we launched several years ago. The upgrade forms part of wider efforts to deliver the best products and player experiences to the esports ecosystem, driven by the power of data. Operators using Widget 2.0 can better attract and engage esports fans, particularly during live, with highly customisable esports widgets that provide game-specific, real-time data. This means that players can enjoy in-depth esports information on their favourite games, delivered via undelayed data so that they know they are getting a real-time viewing and betting experience.
With Widget 2.0 we can offer a more customised integration through a block system that allows each bookmaker to adjust what kind of information they want to make available on specific sections of their website or app. We have also improved the data visualisation so that players can more easily understand complex datasets at a glance while providing even greater data granularity for expert players that really want to deep dive into specific games.
What titles does Widget 2.0 cover in live? And to what depth?
So we offer a dedicated Widget for each of the 11 esports titles we cover including three live widgets for CS:GO, Dota 2 and League of Legends (LoL). Take LoL, for example. We have a radar chart designed by League of Legends experts so that bettors can quickly and easily see the strengths and weaknesses of each team. For CS:GO, that information is presented on a map-by-map basis and depending on team sides. This is to take into account the differences between each game and to make the player experience as intuitive and seamless as possible.
Why was customisation so important to your revamped Widget product?
Each bookmaker wants to deliver an experience that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its players. It also wants to do this while standing out from its rivals. As a data provider, it is important for us to give operators the tools they need to do both of these things. Our block system adapts to the different experiences offered by each bookmaker, as well as the wide range of devices used by players. In addition, operators have complete freedom to customise the front end with their own branding colours to maintain a consistent user experience at all times.
What are the player engagement benefits of Widget and how can operators leverage the product in innovative ways?
Esports fans want a seamless stream but also access to stats and data points about their team and/or their opponents. Bringing that insight directly onto the operator’s platform via our Widget 2.0 product provides this and allows sportsbooks to drive greater engagement among existing players and esports bettors, but also attract new customers that are not necessarily bettors yet but are looking for access to this data via an easy-to-use interface. That makes our Widget product innovative in itself as it allows operators to connect with esports fans and bettors in an entirely new way.
What’s next for PandaScore?
Our product roadmap has been busy, that’s for sure. Recently, we’ve added Starcraft 1 and 2 to the long list of games we offer coverage on, extended our cutting-edge BetBuilder product to cover all three major games, will be offering micro betting markets for the first time, launch community engagement tools to let operators to better engage with their users on Discord and Twitch. More exotic betting markets, such as player specials for LoL and Dota 2 are also underway, and this is not the full list of innovative products to come. We are committed to designing and developing the tools and features operators need to unlock the true potential of esports and esports betting, and our product roadmap over the next 12 months will allow them to do just that.
It is still very early days for esports betting, but more and more sportsbook operators understand the opportunities on the table and are making moves in the space for the first time. PandaScore is here to guide them through the sector and deliver the best possible experience to both new and existing esports fans and bettors.
Asia
AA Gaming Announce the Rajasthan State Esports Championship (RSEC) with Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Govt. Of Rajasthan
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Open Qualifiers
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Inter-College Knockout Rounds
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Semifinals
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Grand Finals – which will be live-streamed and culminate in a prestigious awards ceremony.
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Gaming techniques and strategic play
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Game development fundamentals
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Esports career pathways
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Mental health and well-being for athletes
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Team-building and communication
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Professional conduct in esports
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In-depth game analysis and review
The post AA Gaming Announce the Rajasthan State Esports Championship (RSEC) with Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Govt. Of Rajasthan appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
StarLadder today announced that it will host the second Counter-Strike 2 Major of 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, culminating in a four-day Playoff stage inside the MVM Dome – one of the largest and most advanced esports venues in Europe, and one of the biggest CS2 Major venues to date.
The event will run from November 24 to December 14, featuring the world’s top 32 Counter-Strike 2 teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool and one of the most prestigious titles in the esports world.
Kicking off on November 24, the early stages of the tournament will take place at Budapest’s MTK Sportpark, a recently upgraded venue with seating for 2,000 spectators. This modern, esports-ready venue offers fans a unique opportunity to get close to the action and experience high-level Counter-Strike in the vibrant atmosphere of an offline setting.
From December 11 to 14, the tournament moves to the MVM Dome for the playoffs. With 20,000 seats and cutting-edge production capabilities, the Dome will deliver a stadium-scale experience – featuring record-breaking LED setups, immersive lighting, and arena-wide special effects crafted to elevate the show for every fan on site. Set against the backdrop of Budapest’s iconic pre-Christmas charm, the Major will offer not just world-class esports, but also a chance for fans to experience one of Europe’s most vibrant cities during its most magical season.
“ Hosting another Major is an incredible honor, and we’re determined to make it unforgettable,” said Roman Romantsov, CEO of StarLadder. “Budapest gives us the perfect stage to push the boundaries of what a live CS2 event can look and feel like. From day one to the Grand Finals, we’re building something that fans – both in the arena and watching around the world – will remember. We invite every Counter-Strike fan to be part of this iconic moment with us.”
The post StarLadder to Host 2025 CS2 Major in Budapest’s 20,000-Seat MVM Dome appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Global “Road to EWC” Program, Unveiling Qualification Pathways for the Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has unveiled the full scope of the qualification system for the Esports World Cup 2025 with the launch of the global “Road to EWC” program. Featuring over 200 tournaments spanning grassroots leagues to elite international circuits, the Road to EWC offers opportunities for players at every level to compete on the world’s biggest stage, the Esports World Cup, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.
“Road to EWC is a platform for every player, Club, and community whose journey defines the spirit of competition,” said Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer, of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “By connecting hundreds of tournaments across the world, we are creating life-changing opportunities for players at every level, bringing the world’s best talent to Riyadh. This is how we grow the sport – by growing our partnerships, investing in competitions and laying the foundation for sustainable growth across the industry.”
The Road to EWC qualification program marks a major milestone for the Esports World Cup and is a core component of EWCF’s commitment to the sustainable growth of esports, supporting the professional ecosystem and advancing the sport on a global scale. With 25 tournaments in 24 games, including four new games – Chess, Crossfire, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and VALORANT – the EWC 2025 will bring together more than 2,000 elite esports players and 200 top Clubs to compete for a prize pool of more than $70 million, the largest in esports history.
For League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legends, official publisher circuits such as the LEC, VCT, OWCS, and ALGS serve as the primary route to qualification. Other games, including Dota 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, Teamfight Tactics, and StarCraft II, are holding open online qualifiers, while fighting games, including Street Fighter 6, TEKKEN 8, and Fatal Fury are qualifying players through community-driven tournaments such as EVO Japan, Combo Breaker, and CEO.
In mobile titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, PUBG MOBILE, and Honor of Kings, region-specific leagues across Southeast Asia, MENA, and LATAM are producing national champions who will represent their respective nations in Riyadh. Finally, for titles such as Chess, EA SPORTS FC 25, and Overwatch 2, a final wave of Last Chance Qualifiers will be staged in July, giving one last opportunity for breakout players and rising stars to earn their spot in Riyadh.
Additional information about the Road to EWC, including events and dates for specific titles, can be found at esportsworldcup.com.
As anticipation builds for the Esports World Cup, the Road to EWC also features a multi-channel marketing campaign with a calendar of original content from selected qualifier events and partner leagues around the world. Player interviews and behind-the-scenes access will bring to life the stakes, talent, dedication and human interest stories behind the competition, alongside tournament and game explainers to introduce EWC games to broader audiences and bring fans closer to the action.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The post Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Global “Road to EWC” Program, Unveiling Qualification Pathways for the Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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