eSports
Guild Esports Launches The Guild Academy
The Guild Academy is the most comprehensive and innovative in the industry, developing the esports stars of tomorrow
Guild Esports today announces the opening of the Guild Academy – the world’s most comprehensive and innovative esports online academy.
The online academy will welcome budding players aged 11+, and provide a range of resources designed to nurture their learning and life skills, as well as gaming abilities. The Guild Academy will provide all players of any ability individualised support and personalised challenges.
Academy members will be able to access detailed training programmes, designed to improve specific areas of play. They will also be able to test their skills in tournaments, and have gameplay performance analysed by Guild’s team of experts.
For beginner and intermediate players, Guild will offer peer-to-peer coaching and advice, whereby players are able to record specific areas of gameplay which can then be reviewed by more experienced players and feedback and advice given.
Guild’s vision is to use its unique academy structure to find the next generation of talent within esports by scouting players showing the most potential. These players will be offered live player development, greater 1-2-1 support, and invitations to bootcamps to participate in local area network (LAN) tournaments. This is part of Guild Esports’ path to pro strategy – using its in-house talent scouts to recruit the next generation of players.
The Academy is launching first with Fortnite & Rocket League specific training, with more esports to follow in the next six months, including FIFA and Valorant. The Guild Academy online platform is the first step in creating an esports talent pipeline based on the traditional sporting model.
The mission at the heart of the academy is to ensure all players leave having acquired new skills, both in gaming and life, regardless of whether they turn professional. Guild’s priority is to put the person first, the player second. The academy will take the personal development of each player beyond gaming – with its industry-leading team delivering masterclasses designed to both improve learning, and provide knowledge and skills to succeed in later life.
Guild understands the importance of taking parents on the journey with their ambitious gamer children. As part of the online academy, there will be a dedicated Parents Centre, keeping them involved and informed about careers in esports. Robust policies will be in place to ensure a safe and friendly environment, and players will need the appropriate parental consent to join the academy, depending on local data protection laws.
Outside of esport-specific coaching, The Guild Academy offers a holistic approach to player development where the focus will be on building good habits through better nutrition, work-life balance and much more. The first activation will be alongside Guild’s main partner, and official Academy partner, Subway. Working together to develop a fully integrated programme to the Guild Academy which will provide opportunities and education to the membership—ranging from from career opportunities to health and wellbeing leaning on Subway’s values of empowering people to make better choices.
New players will be able to sign up to a 30-day free trial – access to The Guild Academy will be £4.99, or local currency equivalent, per month after this period.
Carleton Curtis, Executive Chairman at Guild Esports, said: “Over the last year, people have recognised us for building some of the most talented rosters in esports. The Guild Academy represents our vision for the future. The academy will contain the most comprehensive training platform in esports, with individualised support and tailored training programmes provided to develop the esports stars of tomorrow. Ingrained in all aspects of the academy will be our culture of excellence, and our priority is nurturing aspiring gamers to develop in all areas of their life. We’re thrilled to launch, and help to push the industry forward.”
Joe Sutton, Director of Academy at Guild Esports added, “We’re very proud to have created such a special and unique academy. The level of training and development resources we have on offer to players of all abilities, is what sets the Guild Academy apart. We’ll be working to provide each player the tools to reach their gaming potential, whilst also setting them up with life skills for the future. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited for the future of the academy.”
Asia
Esports to make its mark at Khelo India Youth Games 2025 with BGMI, Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball
Featuring titles that span mobile, console, and strategy-based formats like chess, the esports lineup at KIYG 2025 reflects a deliberate effort to cater to diverse gaming audiences. This move also signals a broader national recognition of esports as a legitimate sporting pursuit, on par with traditional disciplines, a direction that India has been moving toward with increased pace.
While BGMI remains the most popular esports title in India, Chess stands out as a particularly noteworthy addition to KIYG 2025. Once considered a purely traditional sport, Chess has increasingly found a home in the esports world, most recently as part of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, which boasts a prize pool of $1.5 million (INR 12.6 crore) for the title. NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asia’s esports and gaming ecosystem, has been one of the pioneers of this shift in India. In 2021, the company organised the Chess Super League, featuring national and international stars and also hosted Chess tournaments at DreamHack India 2024 across rapid and blitz formats.
“The inclusion of titles like BGMI, Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 signals a big step forward for grassroots esports in India,” says Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming. “It’s encouraging to see esports standing shoulder to shoulder with traditional sports, and the addition of Chess – bridging classical and digital strategy shows how in tune this initiative is with global trends. But this isn’t just about tournaments. It’s about creating real opportunities to discover talent from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, places that have been overlooked for too long, thus building the foundation for a future where Indian gamers don’t just participate, they dominate on the world stage.”
Further underscoring the growing stature of Indian Chess in esports, S8UL, a global force in esports and gaming content, has signed Grandmasters Aravindh Chithambaram and Nihal Sarin to compete at the EWC 2025. In addition to Chess, S8UL will also field players in Street Fighter 6, as well as EAFC25, Call of Duty Warzone, Tekken 8, and Apex Legends at the prestigious tournament.
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL believes that the inclusion of titles like Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball console in KIYG 2025 reflects a thoughtful push to diversify beyond mobile gaming and build a more well-rounded competitive ecosystem. “It is especially encouraging to see Street Fighter 6 and Chess recognised through a government-led initiative, at a time when S8UL will be representing India in these very titles at the upcoming Esports World Cup. This development is crucial for identifying and nurturing talent across a range of platforms and genres from the grassroots level. Such proactive support from the authorities is a strong indicator of the growing legitimacy of esports in India and a positive sign for the industry’s future,” he adds.
The roots of esports entering the mainstream have already been visible across various states. Before its inclusion in KIYG 2025, the state of Bihar actively embraced the esports movement by organising the Bihar State Esports Open Championship and the Bihar Inter School and College Esports Championship over the past year. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland have also taken proactive steps to support and formalise grassroots esports programs.
Mikhail Bhuta, Co-Founder & Tech Lead, Dirtcube Interactive LLP remarked, “Including esports in the Khelo India Youth Games is a practical step toward building a grassroots ecosystem for new-age sports. We believe that through this program, we’ll soon see national esports heroes rise from across the country and bolster India’s representation on the global stage. With this being the inaugural season, we envision having Made-in-India esports-based games be part of KIYG’s future seasons.”
With S8UL participating in Chess and Street Fighter at the EWC 2025, India has already been making waves on the international stage in eFootball, with Pavan Kampelli winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Esports Games in Bangkok.
Esports will be an official medal sport at the 2026 Asian Games, and the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is scheduled to debut in 2027. These developments mark a global shift toward legitimising esports within mainstream sporting culture.
KIYG 2025 featuring esports will help identify, nurture, and empower gaming talent from the ground up. With both state and national bodies supporting the push, the future of Indian esports looks brighter than ever.
The post Esports to make its mark at Khelo India Youth Games 2025 with BGMI, Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Danial “DaNiAL” Patel and Tejaskumar Hasmukhbhai Bhoi will represent Team India at the prestigious WAVES Esports Championship (WESC), organised by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI), in Mumbai’s Jio Convention Centre from May 1. The duo will clash against players from five foreign countries in the International leg after emerging victorious in the fiercely contested India leg of WESC 2025, which saw the top Phase winners battle it out for national supremacy.
From a field of over 35,000 participants, the Indian leg brought together the top eight players in two titles—eFootball and World Cricket Championship 3—from the four WESC 2025 phases. In an intense showdown, DaNiAL clinched the top spot in eFootball while Tejas outperformed his peers in WCC3. In the international leg, DaNiAL will face opponents from Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand in eFootball, while Tejas will compete against representatives from Nepal and Sri Lanka in WCC3.
Speaking on the occasion, ESFI President, Mr Lokesh Suji, said: “I am incredibly proud of DaNiAL and Tejas for earning the honour of representing India at the inaugural WAVES Esports Summit. WAVES has been instrumental in unearthing talent from every corner of the country. Their qualification reflects the rising calibre of Indian esports, and I’m confident they’ll make the nation proud on the international stage.”
Esports holds a significant place within the AVGC-XR pillar of the WAVES Summit, recognising the burgeoning gaming and competitive video gaming scene in India. This dynamic segment benefits from the global Summit’s impressive scale, anticipating over 5,000 delegates from 100 countries and the participation of more than 750 creators.
Amidst this vibrant setting, DaNiAL and Tejas will be honored with the WAVES Trophy on May 4, celebrating their triumph in the Indian leg. Joining them in recognition will be Love Sharma and Pappu Kumar Priyedarshi—who secured second and third place in WCC3—along with Akash Rudro Dhar and Pawan Kampelli, who rounded out the podium in eFootball. The overall international champions will be honoured with WESC Medals at the Creatosphere Award Ceremony on May 4.
On his triumph in the Indian leg and his preparations ahead, DaNiAL said: “I’m incredibly proud of this victory—it’s a testament to the hard work, discipline, and support from everyone around me. Winning here is just the beginning, and I’m excited to take this momentum into the international stage. My preparation for the international leg will be even more intense. I’ll be analyzing top players, refining my strategies, and staying mentally and physically sharp. This next step is huge, and I’m committed to giving it everything I have.”
Speaking on his qualification and the chance to represent India, Tejas said: “I feel very proud about qualifying for the finals in the waves. I will try to accept the opportunity that I have got to bring glory to India, and I will try my best to bring the trophy to India. I am ready for the finals. The preparations are intense. I will come back after winning.”
As the governing body for esports in India, ESFI has been instrumental in shaping the country’s competitive gaming landscape. With a track record that includes the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Esports Championship, and affiliations with leading global bodies, ESFI now proudly hosts WESC as part of its commitment to putting India on the international esports map.
The post DaNiAL, Tejas to Represent India at Prestigious WAVES Esports Championship Starting May 1 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Esports World Cup Foundation Launches ‘Music of EWC’ Initiative with Recording at Legendary Abbey Road Studios to Connect Esports Fans Around the World Through the Power of Music
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced the launch of ‘Music of EWC,’ a new initiative that will create an original musical identity for the Esports World Cup 2025, the world’s largest esports and gaming festival, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24. The multi-stage program kicked off on Sunday, April 27, with the recording of a four-track music suite at the legendary Abbey Road Studios featuring original compositions by acclaimed music development collectives 2WEI and Hollywood Scoring.
The EWCF now invites the global music community to take part in shaping the sound of the EWC 2025 through an open competition on Audiotool, a leading cloud-based music creation platform. Two winning tracks will be selected and added to the official EWC music suite, joining the professional works recorded at Abbey Road. The full soundtrack will be featured across tournament broadcasts, on-site events, and digital content during the seven-week event this summer. The inaugural EWC 2024 recorded over 250 million hours watched, reaching more than 500 million viewers and welcomed 2.6 million visitors to Riyadh’s Boulevard City.
“At its core, the Esports World Cup is about community – a global platform that connects people and elevates talent in all forms,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Music of EWC is a natural extension of that purpose, built on the same passion, creativity, and collaboration that define gaming and competition. Music and esports both bring people together, they let us feel the same rhythm, the same energy, wherever we are. With Music of EWC, we’re creating our own voice, sharing a universal language that tells the story of our sport and defines the role of esports in global culture.”
Studio One at Abbey Road, the birthplace of iconic albums for Pink Floyd, Adele and more; films such as Star Wars, Avengers: Endgame, Across The Spiderverse, and games such as Halo, Call of Duty, Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft, and more, hosted the initial recording session, bringing together two of gaming’s most respected music collaborators. 2WEI, known for producing some of the most popular anthems in League of Legends, and campaigns for Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Call of Duty, and Hollywood Scoring, recognized for its work on the Star Wars films, Riot Games’ Arcane, and Disney Parks, will each contribute two original tracks to anchor the suite.
“Music of EWC” marks the beginning of a long-term investment by EWCF in music as a universal language that elevates the storytelling, emotion, and drama of competition. By combining professionally recorded music at one of the most iconic studios in the world with community-created works, the EWCF is building a new platform that celebrates the evolving sound of esports and helps shape the cultural identity of the Esports World Cup.
In addition, to support emerging talent from across the globe, two winning tracks from the Audiotool competition will be selected by industry judges to join the suite and debut during the Esports World Cup this summer. The winners will also receive 25 limited-edition vinyls of their track and a one-year LANDR Studio subscription –an opportunity that could launch careers in gaming and entertainment. Submissions must be original, under a Creative Commons license, and are open until 8 June 2025 at ewc.audiotool.com.
“Partnering with the Esports World Cup, the world’s biggest esports and gaming festival, is a unique opportunity to spotlight new talent on a global stage,” said Andreas Jacobi, CEO of Audiotool. “Together with EWCF, we’re proud to help emerging artists bring their music into esports – a space that’s rapidly reshaping the future of entertainment – and share their work with a global audience as part of a cultural moment that connects creativity, community, and competition.”
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 Club 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 ‘Music of EWC’ Initiative with Recording at Legendary Abbey Road Studios to Connect Esports Fans Around the World Through the Power of Music appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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