Asia
STAR SPORTS NETWORK ACQUIRES BROADCASTING RIGHTS FOR ESPORTS WORLD CUP 2024
Inaugural Esports World Cup is a global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom, with a record-breaking prize pool of over $60 million (500 Cr.)
Star Sports Network and the Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) today announced the acquisition of broadcasting rights for the Esports World Cup (“EWC”) 2024. The tournament, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 3rd to August 25th, will unite the global gaming communities and deliver premier competition in a unique format at an unprecedented scale. Over eight weeks, the EWC will feature the world’s top Esports clubs competing in 21 of the most popular game titles, making it the largest multi-game Esports tournament ever. As the official broadcaster, Star Sports is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of the tournament, offering viewers and fans an unparalleled Esports experience with in-depth commentary in English and Hindi. The Esports World Cup will be streamed on Star Sports’ YouTube channel and broadcast on linear TV via Star Sports First and Star Sports 2.
In 2022, BGMI Masters became the first Esports franchise to be broadcast in India by the Star Sports Network, drawing in millions of viewers over its linear television debut. Highlighting the immense popularity of the online multiplayer battle royale game, Star Sports has been instrumental in bringing esports to the mainstream Indian gaming audience.
Vikram Passi, Head Marketing – Sports, Disney Star, stated, “Esports is rapidly emerging as a significant force, fuelled by India’s burgeoning gaming culture and its recognition on the global stage. The BGMI Masters’ Series, in just a few seasons, has firmly established itself as a premier tournament in India, demonstrating the immense potential for world-class Esports competitions. With the upcoming Esports World Cup broadcast, we aim to expand our audience base, energize the gaming community, and foster greater acceptance of Esports among non-gamers. This event will not only captivate dedicated Esports enthusiasts but also engage a younger demographic across our platforms, driving a broader appreciation for the competitive gaming landscape.”
Ralf Reichert, CEO Esports World Cup Foundation, said “Our partnership with Star Sports brings the Esports World Cup to India’s massive and passionate gaming audience. Having witnessed this firsthand, I’m thrilled to nurture India’s growing esports scene and inspire future champions. With the world’s best competing in Riyadh, we hope to spark a new wave of esports fandom in India, and maybe even see an Indian team claim victory.”
The EWC will offer the largest prize pool in esports and feature the most popular esports titles across all major gaming genres. It will welcome a new cross-game competition format, awarding prizes for individual game titles and club performances. This will be a first ever Esports World Cup with a prize pool of more than $60 million (INR 500 crore)
The eight games to be broadcasted on Star Sports Network are Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, and PUBG Battlegrounds .
Specific highlights include:
- Opening Broadcast: Week 1 July 3rd at 10 PM on SS First and SS YT Channel with Call of Duty: Warzone in Hindi.
- Weekly Schedule: From Week 3, starting July 18, EWC will be broadcast at 9 PM on SS2 and SS First along with SS YT Channel
- Hindi Commentary: Call of Duty: Warzone (Week 1) and Counter-Strike 2 (Week 3) will be shown with Hindi commentary on SS First along with and SS YT Channel
The Esports World Cup broadcast on the Star Sports Network will further solidify esports as one of the fastest-growing sports in India, bringing the best of global esports action to India. The Esports World Cup Foundation is pleased to share Star Sports’ vision in bringing esports to a broader audience as they continue to pave the way for the future of competitive gaming in India
The post STAR SPORTS NETWORK ACQUIRES BROADCASTING RIGHTS FOR ESPORTS WORLD CUP 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Explore the mythic origins of Made-In-India Indus Battle Royale’s Avatars
Indian games are now increasingly getting more recognition for seamlessly blending mythology and tradition, which offers players a culturally rich experience. These games weave together ancient narratives and art with modern gameplay, resonating deeply with players and elevating India’s standing in global game development.
One standout example is the highly anticipated Indus Battle Royale by Pune-based SuperGaming, which has garnered over 11 million pre-registrations on Google Play. The Indo-Futuristic game is set in the distant future on the island of ‘Virlok’, which was once home to an ancient race of intergalactic explorers, ‘the Yaksha’. Players assume the role of Mythwalkers in search of the rare resource ‘Cosmium’.
For any battle royale, Avatars are integral to providing immersive gameplay as they allow players to choose their unique styles and skills. In Indus, Avatars are inspired by Indian history, mythology, and culture, each with its own captivating backstory. Despite their standardized functions, they come in diverse forms, enabling Mythwalkers to select models that best fit their preferences. Here is a glimpse into the fascinating legends behind the Avatars of Indus:
1. Adi and Adya
Series: Challenger
Background: Adi and Adya are the inaugural standard-issue Avatars, crafted after billions of credits and countless hours of research and development. Designed to embody and cater to the competitive spirit of Mythwalkers, they represent the cutting-edge technology that defines the Indus Battle Royale experience. These Avatars are chosen by those looking to balance efficiency with style.
2. Null and Void
Series: Explorer
Background: Null and Void are the initial prototype models that successfully landed on Virlok. Their utilitarian design reflects their age. Despite the creation of more sophisticated models, their charm and reliability make them a common choice for Mythwalkers. They symbolize the call of the infinite void, daring Mythwalkers to venture into the deepest secrets of the Cosmos.
3. Diya
Series: Yaksha Vintage
Background: Diya represents a connection to the happier times on Indus. This vintage icon has been revived with the hope of rekindling the past’s joy and celebration. Her design serves as a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Yaksha race.
4. Neo Yash
Series: Yaksha Culture
Background: Neo Yash showcases the cultural values and aesthetics that were integral to Yaksha life. This Avatar embodies the fashion and artistic expression native to Indus, providing a glimpse into the cultural richness of the Yaksha civilization.
5. Rana and Arya
Series: Yaksha Glamour
Background: Known as a celebrated entertainer and dancer, Rana was the headline act of a traveling dance troupe. However, classified documents reveal that his glamorous public persona masked his true role as an elite agent working covertly for the Yaksha Council.
Similarly, Arya was renowned as a performer and master thief who used her performances as a cover for infamous heists. Despite appearing to reform, her continued collaboration with Rana hints at ongoing involvement in clandestine activities.
6. Heena
Series: Indus Icon
Background: Modeled after India’s well-renowned Olympic shooter, Heena is the greatest living bounty hunter in the Indus universe. Frequently summoned by COVEN, an intragalactic syndicate, the sharpshooter is called upon when Mythwalkers need exceptional skill or more often than not, a miracle.
7. Mor-ni
Series: Yaksha Heroes
Background: A legend in exile of the Champions Conclave, Morni is the rare female representative of the Immortal Peacock. Her indomitable will, tenacity, and deadly grace in combat have made her one of the most formidable warriors in Indus.
8. Mech Balika
Series: Indus Automata
Background: Originally a marionette in a theater run by automatons, Mech Balika’s design is inspired by the Rajasthani “Kathputli” string puppet. It remains unclear how or why she became a renowned combat unit, considering the Yaksha’s reluctance to weaponize their robotic creations, viewing it as a loss of innocence.
9. Pokhran
Series: Indus Automata
Background: Developed by the famous Indian scientist Homi J. Bhabha, Pokhran units were rescued by the Yaksha and widely deployed across Virlok. They powered the planet’s most remote corners and facilitated progress. Eventually, their resilience caught the attention of a Mythwalker who captured an intact unit, leading to the creation of this Avatar.
10. Sir-taj
Series: Indus Automata
Background: Sir-Taj is a technological marvel, representing the Yaksha’s deep reverence for their heritage. Universally adored on Indus, he has regained celebrity status among Mythwalkers due to his antics and viral videos on the internet.
The post Explore the mythic origins of Made-In-India Indus Battle Royale’s Avatars appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
PAGCOR SAYS EX-CABINET OFFICIAL TRYING TO INTERCEDE FOR POGOS
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation today said a former high ranking government official tried to facilitate the grant of gaming licenses to some of the illegal POGOs that have been recently raided and found engaged in illegal activities.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco also said those investigating the suspicious activities of former POGO licensees must likewise look into the role of former officials and their conduits in the grant of licenses to POGO applicants with dubious backgrounds.
The PAGCOR chief said he will reveal in the proper forum the identity of the former Cabinet member who had been lobbying for the illegal POGOs, as well as the circumstances that led to the proliferation of illegal and criminal offshore gaming operations.
“As a regulator, it is our mandate to ensure that only those with valid licenses are allowed to operate all forms of gambling and gaming activities, whether these are land-based casinos or online platforms,” Mr. Tengco said.
“It is in the interest of the government to crack the whip against illegal operators, including the so-called offshore gaming operators or POGOs and their backers, because the criminal activities associated with their illegal operations pose serious threats to our people,” he said.
The PAGCOR chief explained that the current administration has been doing its part to weed out illegal operators, resulting in the significant decrease in the number of licensees from 298 during the previous administration to only 43 licensees now.
“What we need to question, in the first place, was how those 298 POGO licensees were able to secure their licensees in the past because clearly, during our cleansing process, we found most of them to be ineligible and outright suspicious,” Mr. Tengco said.
“We are also ready to reveal the roles of other controversial individuals behind these criminal POGO enterprises,” he added.
The post PAGCOR SAYS EX-CABINET OFFICIAL TRYING TO INTERCEDE FOR POGOS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
PAGCOR UNVEILS FIRST SOCIO-CIVIC CENTER IN BATANGAS
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation formally unveiled its latest and most recently completed Socio-Civic Center here Wednesday, June 26, two years after the project’s groundbreaking in March 2022.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco led the inauguration ceremony for the Php50-million state-of-the-art structure in Barangay Pansipit, a village named after the river that connects Taal Lake to Balayan Bay.
The two-story facility can serve as a venue for various events, social gatherings, educational activities and various programs and activities of the local government, not to mention as an evacuation center in times of calamities.
In his address, Mr. Tengco emphasized the importance of projects that help promote community development and resilience.
He also said that PAGCOR rebranded its previous multi-purpose evacuation facilities into Socio-Civic Centers because the buildings can serve many other purposes aside from being a shelter during disaster situations.
“Minarapat po naming tawaging Socio-Civic Center ang mga gusaling ito sapagkat hindi lamang ito dapat na magamit sa mga panahon ng sakuna kundi para sa pagdaraos ng iba’t ibang programa at mga aktibidad,” the PAGCOR chief said.
The new PAGCOR Socio-Civic Center is thus expected to contribute to the overall socio-economic development of Agoncillo since its modern design and facilities makes it a perfect venue for events, trainings and conferences for surrounding communities.
To date, a total of 39 PAGCOR-funded Socio-Civic Centers have been completed and unveiled nationwide, while 33 others are still undergoing construction.
During the ceremony, Mr. Tengco also announced the agency’s donation of two desktop computers to the municipal government of Agoncillo.
Agoncillo Mayor Cinderella V. Reyes expressed her appreciation to PAGCOR for its continuing support to their town which sits on the shores of Taal Lake and is very near the active and turbulent Taal Volcano.
“We are deeply grateful to PAGCOR for the unwavering support. This Socio-Civic Center will undoubtedly become a cornerstone structure in our town, providing a venue for numerous activities that will benefit our residents.
“We look forward to maximizing its potential to foster unity and progress in Agoncillo,” she said.
Classified as a 4th-class municipality, Agoncillo has previously been a beneficiary of PAGCOR’s Corporate Social Responsibility projects.
In 2022, the town received Php30 million funding for the construction of the PAGCOR Village, a housing project designed to provide safe and permanent shelter for families displaced by the frequent eruption of Taal Volcano
The post PAGCOR UNVEILS FIRST SOCIO-CIVIC CENTER IN BATANGAS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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