Team’s “News Of The Week” (March 24th

Republished By Plato

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The last week of March reminded us about China’s esports protagonism. And recent reports and news referenced how big esports broadcasting revenue has become.

Keep reading if you want to understand what I’m talking about.

1) China Finally Lifts Esports Event Restrictions

On Monday, it was announced that restrictions from “low-risk” areas (as web cafes) will be raised by China’s Nationwide Ministry of Tradition and Tourism.

This is incredibly valuable to thousands of gaming centers and esports-focused businesses all over the country and millions of players, that awaited this moment for over a year.

Chinese Esports Lift Restrictions

According to TJ Sports:

“This must be a constructive sign for the home-away technique of League of Legends Professional League (LPL). Although we’ve not totally opened the ticket promoting course for our Shanghai LPL dwelling venue.

For the large-scale occasion, the associated bodies ought to talk and coordinate with the general public safety departments, and appropriately manage the variety of attendance based on the native COVID-19 measures.”

Even large tournament organizers were waiting for it. Both Tencent and VSPN have followed the announcement of a new Peacekeeper Elite Championship (PEC) that might take place this summer season, at the Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena.

2) VSPN x Chinese Livestream Talent Agency, Famulei

The biggest esports organizer in Asia, VSPN, has acquired Famulei.

From now on, they’ll operate as an independent brand, just under the experienced hands of VSPN.

VSPN x Famulei

Source: VSPN

If you don’t know Famulei: they specialize in talent management, marketing, sponsorship, and license operations for the esports industry. They have partnered/worked with top-tier teams such as T1, DK, GEN.G, and Team Liquid, along with its influential players.

On the other hand, VSPN is the most well-known esports company in the region, amassing 165 billion Yuan in revenue (around $26 billion) last year alone. They were responsible for 2019’s The International event and the 1,503 sq m Seoul-based arena, V.SPACE.

This time, they plan to diversify esports content and focus on Key Opinion Leader monetization, creating market opportunities and a sustainable esports ecosystem

3) Reset Agency: From Spotify, SRI, and Minute Media Former Executives

Four executives: Duncan McMonagle, Ben Brown, Chris Jordan, and Charlie Stebbing have joined forces to launch the esports-specialist group, Reset.

They plan to take decades of experience from previous roles to provide services to brands, investors, and right holders that tackle business challenges in both gaming and esports.

The London Spitfires are just one of many brands (some non-endemic) they helped to grow.

Reset Esports Agency

Head of Gaming & Esports at Minute Media, Mike Murphy O’Reilly, has recently joined as Reset’s new Commercial Director. He has worked with Activision-Blizzard, Kia H&M, and WB in past years.

4) Newzoo Partners With eStar Victory Five (ESVF) Esports Group

Data and insights company, Newzoo, will start a strategic partnership with the Chinese esports company to support with detailed data analysis for their overseas expansion. On the other hand, the eStar Victory Five Esports Group will offer industry experience to Newzoo.

Newzoo ESVF Esports

While many are aware of Newzoo reports (as the 2021 Global Esports one), not many in the Western world know about ESVF, the joint venture Chinese organization founded in Wuhan.

It was born from the combination of eStar Gaming and Victory Five (V5). Both of them have their own slot in the League of Legends Pro League (LPL).

5) Global Esports Federation Now Part of Global Climate Action Initiative

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has a new member, which commits to assure a “low-carbon” esports future. The Global Esports Federation joined the initiative by signing the Framework Agreement.

Championing climate action in the esports community.

Read more: https://t.co/yWfpsRFvFC @unfccc #worldconnected #teamGEF #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #ClimateAmbition #Sustainability pic.twitter.com/9kjrqFBY0X

— Global Esports Federation (@GE_Federation) March 19, 2021

Its five core principles consist of promoting environmental responsibility, sustainable and responsible consumption, reducing climate impact, educating on climate action, and advocating for climate action through communications.

The Sports for Climate Action initiative aims to take responsibility and contribute to whatever is needed for a safer planet.

According to UNFCCC executive secretary, Patricia Espinosa:

“This is a race we can – and must – win to avoid significantly worsening the risk of droughts, floods, extreme heat, and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.”

6) eSports1 Adds Norway and Sweden To Its Channel

Launched in November 2020, the European esports channel will add Norway and Sweden to the list of countries they currently work with: Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

They broadcast Dota 2, Starcraft 2, Warcraft 3, NBA 2K, and Rocket League content.

EsportsOne Norway Sweden

Credit: eSports1

According to the company, they have reached the thousand-live programming hours of international esports events for the games enlisted, with the help of the ESL and Psyonix.

The Rocket League Championship Series NA Regional took place from March 19-21 and the EU Regional from March 26-28.

7) GameSquare Esports Acquires Reciprocity for $11.57 Million

The Canadian Securities Exchange-listed parent company under Code Red Esports, GameSquare Esports has confirmed the acquisition of also Canadian organization, Reciprocity, with a 100% of issued equity. It cost around CAD 14.44M.

43.75M common shares were issued at CAD 0.33 ($0.26) per share.

GameSquare-Completes-Acquisition-of-Reciprocity-Rainbow7-LGD-Reciprocity

Source: GameSquare

Escrow release conditions were satisfied, so the company had access to the $7M raised.

GameSquare will use it to “advance business operations in North America and Europe.”

The addition of Reciprocity and its subsidiaries (as the Gaming Community Network (GCN) means a lot for the GameSquare portfolio. They now own 40% of Biblos Gaming (parent company of Rainbow7) and 49% of the LGD-Reciprocity (joint venture Chinese franchise).

8) WePlay Ultimate Fighting League (WUFL) Born From Partnership

WePlay Esports and DAZN have formed a strong relationship to broadcast the WePlay Ultimate Fighting League (WUFL) in 2021.

According to the tournament organizer, WePlay Esport’s three WUFL seasons will be seen in +200 countries via DAZN’s sports subscription video streaming service, on smart TVs, consoles, and mobile devices.

DAZN WePlay Ultimate Fighting League

Source: WePlay Esports / DAZN

The first season, including games like Mortal Kombat 11, SOULCALIBUR VI, and Tekken 7, was inaugurated by world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, at the WePlay Esports Arena in Kyiv.

9) Talon Esports x AORUS Partnership Is Here

The Hong Kong-based Talon Esports and GIGABYTE-powered gaming brand have joined forces to provide PSG Talon League of Legends team with computer rigs (PCs and Monitors) throughout 2021.

Aorus x PSG

Source: AORUS / PSG.Talon

This is a similar deal to what seating manufacturer Recaro closed with PSG Talon recently. They have also partnered with streetwear brand Carnival, telecom DTAC, and KFC.

The organization currently competing in the Pacific Championship Series (finished second in PCS 2020 Summer Playoffs) was born from June’s 2020 merge of Talon Esports with PSG Esports. They also represented Asia-Pacific at the 2020 World Championships.

10) FaZe Clan New Competitive Rocket League Roster

Oluwafemi “femio” Okusanya, Content Vicepresident of FaZe, accidentally leaked the introduction of this new American Rocket League roster, formed by the acquisition of “The Peeps.”

The roster Jirair “Gyro” Papazian, Austin “AYYJAYY” Aebi, Braxton “Allushin” Lagarec, and Julian “Moopy” Amador (coach) was officially announced with the following video: