A weekly round-up of what is happening around the commercial world of esports. We will focus on advances in the Irish sector when there are some, as well as on some of the commercial deals which are taking place and fuelling the rapid growth of this area within the world of sport.
This week we look at Lucozade stepping into the Irish sector, an Irish team competing on the world stage, the Irish link to a major signing and US gamers’ attitude towards advertising in the Metaverse…
********
LUCOZADE ON BOARD AS TITLE SPONSOR OF GAMERFEST
GamerFest, Ireland’s biggest gaming and esports festival, has announced that Lucozade is to be the Title Sponsor of its return to a live event at the RDS on October 22nd and 23rd.
The weekend celebration of gaming entertainment will include the latest games, VR gaming, esports and gaming challenges, as well as a host of special guests including top Twitch and YouTube creators, and a variety of live stage content.
Lucozade will be supporting a wide range of gaming activations across the entire weekend.
Since its creation in 2017 GamerFest has established itself as a diverse, community-led gaming event for everyone with a passion for gaming, whether that be casual gaming with friends or those who engage in competitive esports tournaments, game development and design or content creation.
Over the last number of years, it has become a hub for content creator talent in Ireland, with a host of YouTube and Twitch special guests set to attend October’s event.
There will be an expo hall and marketplace and we are also planning a Sport for Business opportunity for brands and agencies who want to be guided through the festival to join us and learn more.
********
IRISH-LED WYLDE DELIVERS WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE IN RIYADH
WYLDE, The Irish gaming company founded by Steven Daly and David Cronin and which has Usain Bolt among its investors were on stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this week competing at Gamers 8 as the Champions of Europe in Rainbow 6 against fellow regional winners from around the world.
The team topped their group beating Team Liquid (World #8) and Spacestation Gaming (World #6 & former World Champions) with DWG KIA (World #7) eliminated.
They made it to the semi-finals before losing in overtime to Team Falcons, the MENA Champions who had hugely vocal home support in the live stadium environment.
This is arguably Ireland’s best eGaming performance on the global stage and hopefully a sign of greater success to come.
********
IRISH LINK TO VAN DIJK SIGNING
Tundra Esports has announced Liverpool and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk as its new Ambassador and Shareholder.
Irish esports leader Trev Keane and Epic Gaming were central to the deal which has been in the making for 18 months.
Van Dijk will be helping to elevate and grow the overall Tundra brand whilst providing support and mentorship to the organisation’s professional esports players, particularly in the Dota2, Fortnite and FIFA rosters.
The announcement was revealed in what is understood to be the first official grime gaming song, Outplayed by P Money.
********
SPLIT OPINION ON ACCEPTANCE OF ADVERTISING IN THE METAVERSE
A new YouGov and Globant survey of 1,000 US-based Gamers has shown that only 38 per cent are at this point interested in playing games in the Metaverse, but with only 60 per cent feeling, they are confident in describing what the Metaverse actual is.
35 per cent said they were comfortable with advertising in the space but this rose to 44 per cent if it allowed free access to apps, games or online experiences.
46 per cent were uncomfortable with the idea of advertising.
********
