Axlebolt and Epic Esports Events announce WINLINE EPIC Standoff 2: Brazil

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Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley has hosted its first virtual reality (VR) esports tournament, titled The Gauntlet Cup, which combined the immersion of VR gaming with the benefits of physical exercise. The unique tournament demonstrated the value of the North East’s gaming sector, giving local companies, games-developers and startups an opportunity to share ideas, collaborate and compete in a commercially neutral environment.

Contestants participated in the tournament by completing BearHammer’s Venture Gauntlet VR, an obstacle course which challenged players’ bodies and minds by testing their stamina, accuracy, and reflexes as they navigated treacherous terrains, solved puzzles, and tackled various obstacles in the virtual world. The obstacle course served as an insight into where video-games and esports are headed, as the UK is home to some of the biggest esports and gaming organisations in the world, with Riot Games, Twitch and FACEIT all holding offices across the country.

BearHammer’s Ventures Gauntlet VR game introduced a new dimension to esports, converging the entertainment of video games with the benefits of physical exercise. This created a unique and immersive experience that pushed the boundaries of what esports can be in the future, and showcased unique new use-cases of immersive technology and its applications for public health. The winner of the Gauntlet Cup, Gareth Randle, won a Quest 2 VR headset, and two runner-ups each took home a £50 voucher.

The tournament served as an effective way of reaching a new audience of gamers in the North East, and was hosted by Advanced Media Production Gateshead, in partnership with BearHammer Games, Digital Catapult and Innovate UK. Digital Catapult is committed to growing critical economic sectors in the UK, and its Advanced Media Production network, immersive labs, and team of experts will play a pivotal role in growing the UK’s gaming industry and supporting the next generation of games developers.

The Gauntlet Cup was held as the economic value of the North East’s gaming industry is set to increase, with it now accounting for 5.4 per cent of all UK games development workforce, and as games development in the region has grown by over 45% in the last year. The UK gaming industry has also proven to be a significant employer in the UK, with The Independent Game Developers’ Association (TIGA) finding that overall employment in the UK’s games development sector has surged by 11.4%, while studio numbers have increased by almost 18% in 2023.

Sophie Craggs, the Studio Manager at Advanced Media Production Gateshead said: “We’re thrilled to host such an exciting event at the Advanced Media Production Studio at Gateshead. The Gauntlet Cup brought together the North East’s gaming community for a unique and exciting tournament that offers a snapshot into the future of esports and video-games. I hope that it has inspired local businesses and studios, and shown what’s possible, and I’m proud that we used this opportunity to demonstrate the value of combining gaming with fitness. It was a joy to watch the players in action.”

Brian Allen, Studio Director at BearHammer Games said: “Ventures Gauntlet VR was designed to challenge both the mind and body, creating a unique gaming experience that combines physical fitness with the thrill of adventure. We really enjoyed seeing players pushed to their limits in The Gauntlet Cup.”

Gareth Randle, VR Gamer and Gauntlet Cup winner, said: “I am really happy about my win. I couldn’t have competed with any better people. We need more VR gaming like this out there and I can see the growth trajectory being incredible in the future.”

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The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a specialised agency of the UN, and the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) announced a landmark collaboration aimed at enhancing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms within the global esports and video games industries. This partnership symbolises a pioneering step towards providing the necessary, fit-for-purpose infrastructure suited to addressing and mitigating disputes in these rapidly growing industries.

The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre, renowned for its leadership in intellectual property (IP) dispute resolution, will work alongside ESIC, the standard-bearer for integrity in esports, to enhance and implement state-of-the-art ADR mechanisms to resolve disputes in video games and esports with expertise and fairness.

The collaboration will focus on several key areas, including joint awareness-raising activities, identifying and training specialised neutral dispute resolution experts for video games and esports disputes and more. Both organisations will share their knowledge and expertise in their respective fields to support and guide the collaboration with the aim of optimising the efficiency and just resolution of esports and video games disputes.

“At WIPO, we recognize the growing importance of ADR mechanisms in emerging sectors like videogames and esports. Our collaboration with ESIC signifies a commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure for fair and efficient dispute resolution within the video game industry and esports community,” said Mr. Marco M. Alemán, Assistant Director General, who is leading the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector at WIPO.

“This collaboration with WIPO marks the start of an unprecedented program of work for the global esports and video games industries. We are looking forward to collaborating to build new standards for integrity, dispute resolution, and IP protection in esports and video games. This initiative is a monumental step forward, reflective of our commitment to innovation and the long-term health of the global ecosystem,” Stephen Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of ESIC, said.

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Gods Reign, a premier esports organization headquartered in Bangalore and renowned for its top-tier teams and influential content creators, has announced a monumental partnership with LG Electronics. As part of this collaboration, LG UltraGear™, the industry leader in gaming monitors, will serve as the exclusive display partner for Gods Reign’s Counter-Strike 2 lineup, ushering in a new era of immersive gaming experiences.

Commenting on the exciting partnership, Rohith KR, CEO, Gods Reign, said, “We are thrilled to partner with LG UltraGear™ as our display partners for the next year. Gods Reign believes in elevating esports talent across a variety of different games, and with the rise of Counter Strike 2, we entered the game with confidence, and have managed to find a brand that is aligned with our vision to grow esports in India through investment across a variety of games. Furthermore, we have built a popular content creator lineup, which we will be leveraging to bring more eyeballs towards LG UltraGear’s state-of-the-art gaming monitors. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to growing the esports landscape and the fanbase that Gods Reign has built through our performances in esports tournaments.”

LG UltraGear™ will be the exclusive display partner for Gods Reign’s Counter-Strike 2 esports lineup, which stands as one of the nation’s most formidable teams. The team has bagged prestigious titles like the $240,000 Skyesports Masters 2023, the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024: SEA Open Qualifier, and the recently concluded Dust2.in Masters #7 alongside victories against international opponents in the Skyesports Souvenir.

Notably, LG UltraGear™ will also forge connections with Gods Reign’s esteemed content creators, including Red Parasite, Thor Gaming, HarshdeepSinghYT, AJ Jelly Gaming, Miss Senorita, and Siddha Gaming. With a combined social media reach exceeding 6 million, these influencers represent a direct link between LG UltraGear™ and the vibrant gaming community, facilitating meaningful engagement and brand resonance.

LG UltraGear™ will receive strategic placement in the jersey of Gods Reign’s Counter-Strike 2 lineup. Additionally, the organization will be closely collaborating with the brand for digital and on-ground events, show matches with influences, and social media promotions.

Gods Reign’s Counter-Strike 2 squad is primed for further success in the upcoming 2024 Skyesports Counter-Strike 2 Roadmap, boasting a staggering $1 million prize pool across six global events.