eSports
Karmine Corp Acquires Astralis’ LEC Slot
LFL royalty Karmine Corp is taking over the LEC spot of Astralis, joining the LEC from the start of the 2024 season
As the battle for the 2023 World Championship rages on in South Korea, we’re briefly interrupting to bring EMEA LoL eSports fans some news from a little closer to home. We’re happy to announce that 2023 EMEA Masters Summer Champions Karmine Corp will be taking over the LEC spot of Astralis. The team will make its LEC debut in the 2024 LEC Winter Split and we’re so excited to see what they’ll bring to the Berlin stage.
If you know anything about League of Legends (LoL) in EMEA, then chances are that you’ve already heard of French powerhouse and fan favourite Karmine Corp. Qualifying to the La Ligue Francaise (LFL) First Division in 2021, Karmine Corp went onto win two LFL titles and four EMEA Masters trophies, making the team one of the most decorated organisations in the EMEA Masters ecosystem.
The French community has consistently been one of the loudest and most passionate in the EMEA region. At our recent 2023 LEC Season Finals in Montpellier, in the Occitanie region, we were blown away by the support our teams received from the French crowd and we can’t wait to welcome Karmine Corp’s loyal fanbase to the LEC.
But as one door opens, another closes, and in welcoming Karmine Corp to the LEC we must also say goodbye to Astralis. They’ve had an unforgettable three years in the LEC and we wish the team and its players all the best moving forward.
“Astralis has been a valued partner to us throughout its time in the LEC and we wish the organisation the very best with its future endeavours,” the Director of League of Legends Esports EMEA at Riot Games, Maximilian Peter Schmidt, said “But we know its spot will be in capable hands with Karmine Corp. LEC fans have wanted to see the team in the league for some time now, which is, in part, due to the incredible strength of the organisation’s brand and its loyal and passionate fan base, something that has been showcased since its entry into the EMEA Masters ecosystem. We also know how locally resonant the organisation is in France, a country that is a major force in EMEA LoL Esports, and 2024 will be the season we find out whether that ERL dominance translates to the LEC stage.”
It’ll be a few months yet until Karmine Corp makes its debut but make sure to follow us on socials and keep an eye on LoleSports .com to stay up to date with all our offseason news.
FAQ
What happens with Astralis’ LEC players?
All Astralis players will become free agents from the start of the upcoming offseason.
What will happen to Karmine Corp’s LFL team?
Karmine Corp will continue to compete in the LFL alongside the LEC with its LFL roster used as an academy team that will focus on developing emerging talents.
Why were Karmine Corp chosen as Astralis’ successors?
The selling team has the final say on which team their spot is sold to, as long as the purchasing team fits Riot’s criteria for a partnered organisation. The LEC works closely with both the selling team and applicants throughout the selling process and reserves the right to veto applicants on evaluation of various aspects of their application. But the final decision is made by the selling and purchasing organisations.
What does the review process look like for teams wanting to enter the league?
The LEC conducts a detailed review into any prospective partnered teams’ ownership group, brand and fandom, business history and objectives as well as their approach to player development and performance. Based on this criteria teams are either vetoed or can progress to finalise negotiations with the selling team.
Did the LEC get a cut from the sale?
Astralis is entitled to all proceeds from the sale of its spot in the league.
Asia
Revenant XSpark Partners With iQOO In Landmark Esports Deal
Revenant XSpark, one of India’s leading Esports organization is excited to announce a ground-breaking partnership with iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand. Leveraging the growing appeal of Esports, Revenant XSparks & iQOO have partnered together, with iQOO securing the naming rights for India’s top-performing Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) roster under the Revenant XSpark brand. The team will now compete under the name iQOO RNTX, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian esports. This collaboration stands as one of the biggest deals in Indian Esports history.
A collaboration between Revenant Esports and Team XSpark; The vision & goal behind the creation of ‘Revenant XSpark’ was to redefine the Esports landscape in India and neighbouring regions.
Having been unveiled at the recent collaboration, Revenant XSpark’s (BGMI) roster competes across regional and international competitions. With an unmatched track record of securing two back-to-back titles at major Krafton events, the team is led by coach Osmium as one of the premier teams in the country. Dominating competition across the board, the team of Sarang (Sarangajyoti Deka), Spraygod (Harsh Malik), Joker (Khush Singh), and Shadow (Tenzin Kelsang), have been able to carve a name for themselves in the Esports landscape as a force to be reckoned with in both global and local platforms.
Champions at the BGMI Pro Series and BGMI India Series, the team already has a firm foothold in the India market and is aiming to build and expand its narrative globally. Alongside iQOO’s innovation driven mindset, the collaboration will leverage expertise from both sides for mutual beneficial outcomes.
Rohit Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports, said, “We’re incredibly proud to announce our groundbreaking partnership with iQOO. This is a monumental moment for Indian Esports – marking one of the largest deals in the industry. iQOO’s commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with our vision at Revenant XSpark. By joining forces, we’re creating a powerful synergy that will elevate the Indian Esports scene to new heights. Together, we aim to redefine the landscape of competitive gaming and inspire the next generation of gamers.”
Nipun Marya, CEO, iQOO said, “We’re thrilled to be part of this moment in Indian esports. Partnering with Revenant XSpark goes beyond supporting an exceptional team it’s an investment in the future of competitive gaming. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of gamers, drive meaningful innovation, and shape the future of esports in India. This collaboration is a step towards achieving long-term synergies that align with our broader vision to elevate the gaming experience.”
The post Revenant XSpark Partners With iQOO In Landmark Esports Deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
8Bit Creatives secures biggest ever esports Naming Rights deal in India with iQOO
8Bit Creatives, India’s premier esports & gaming talent management agency, has secured a major mandate in the largest naming rights sponsorship deal in Indian gaming history with iQOO, a leading performance smartphone brand. 8Bit Creatives bagged three out of the five naming rights deals, further cementing its leadership in the esports ecosystem.
The three teams represented by 8Bit Creatives are:
- 8bit Esports
- Reckoning Esports
- Revenant Xspark
This historic partnership further cements iQOO’s commitment to the esports ecosystem in India, building on its ongoing association with Team iQOO Soul, which has been a flagship collaboration with 8Bit Creatives for over a year.
Speaking about the partnership, Animesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to iQOO for placing their trust in us to represent three of their five teams, and we are happy to support their gaming & esports initiatives. This is a moment of great pride for Indian gaming, and we are excited to see iQOO’s continued contribution to growing the esports landscape in India.”
Sarang Naicker, Owner of Reckoning Esports, commented:
“Partnering with 8Bit Creatives has always been a key driver of Reckoning Esports’ growth. This historic association with iQOO reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision to elevate the esports ecosystem in India. Together, we aim to continue setting new benchmarks for gaming excellence.”
Rohit Jagasia, team owner of Revenant Xspark, added:
“Our partnership with 8Bit Creatives has always been focused on driving innovation and creating meaningful opportunities for our players and fans. This association with iQOO is a testament to that vision, and we are thrilled to continue our journey together to elevate esports in India.”
With this deal, iQOO continues redefining the boundaries of brand integration within esports, ensuring that fans and players benefit from an elevated experience. By associating its high-performance brand with some of India’s leading esports teams, iQOO reinforces its position as a key driver of the country’s gaming revolution.
The naming rights deal is not just a commercial success but also a testament to the thriving Indian esports ecosystem, as brands increasingly recognize the value of invest ing in gaming’s vibrant community.
The post 8Bit Creatives secures biggest ever esports Naming Rights deal in India with iQOO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
BETER partners up with VeliTech
BETER and VeliTech Partner to Enhance Betting Esports and Sports Content
BETER, an award-winning supplier of fast betting content and data, has joined forces with technology B2B provider, VeliTech, in a deal that will significantly increase the reach of its fast betting products.
Through this collaboration, the VeliTech platform will feature BETER’s 24/7 esports and sports content, including live streams, real-time data, and odds. It includes ESportsBattle tournaments, which offer round-the-clock action on popular titles such as eFootball, eHockey, and eBasketball. This addition enables operators to enhance engagement and diversify offerings in the competitive sports betting market.
Besides that, BETER provides the platform with an esports odds feed covering 450+ tournaments worldwide, with 40,000+ live and pre-match events per year. Odds are based on official data for popular titles such as CS2, Dota 2, LoL, Valorant, and more.
BETER’s sports content, such as Setka Cup table tennis tournaments, will also be available on the VeliTech platform. In total, bettors can wager on over 46,000 fast-paced esports and sports monthly events.
Gal Ehrlich, CEO of BETER, said, “This is an important partnership for us as it significantly expands the reach of our sports and esports products among high-calibre operators in core markets worldwide.
“VeliTech offers a suite of solutions powered by advanced technologies that sportsbooks rely on to deliver superior bettor experiences. Fast betting content is now a must-have for operators, and our products are recognized as the best in the industry.
This makes the deal between BETER and VeliTech a win for both parties, but more importantly, for the sportsbooks that can now access our in-demand products.”
Tamar Skhirtladze, Head of VeliSports at VeliTech, stated, “Partnering with BETER allows us to provide high-quality betting content like Dota 2, LoL, CS2, ESportsBattle tournaments, and Setka Cup to our clients, reinforcing VeliTech as a trusted technology partner supporting leading operators.”
The post BETER partners up with VeliTech appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Africa2 weeks ago
Punt Casino Voted as “Best No Download Casino 2024” by Popular Guide SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za
-
Balkans4 weeks ago
BEGE celebrates 15 years as Eastern Europe’s premier gaming expo
-
BGaming2 weeks ago
BGaming pens Brazilian multi-brand agreement with Cometa Gaming
-
Booming Games4 weeks ago
Booming Games’ premium content is now certified in Brazil
-
Asia2 weeks ago
Natural8 India gives poker enthusiasts across the country a chance to become Asian Poker Tour (APT) champions from the comfort of their homes!
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
Gaming Control Board (GCB) Statement on Allegations Regarding Curaçao’s Licensing Reforms
-
Central Europe4 weeks ago
Evoplay enters Czech market with exclusive Fortuna collaboration
-
a leading B2B provider of iGaming solutions3 weeks ago
Atlaslive’s Sportsbook Recognized with Silver Win at SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024