Asia
Six Formula 1 drivers to race in China Virtual Grand Prix
Following the success of the second installment of the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix, six Formula 1 drivers will battle it out at the Virtual Chinese Grand Prix this Sunday, 19th April at 18:00 BST. After winning the last race on his debut, Charles Leclerc will be out for victory once again, as he takes on his fellow Formula 1 competitors, George Russell, Antonio Giovinazzi, Lando Norris, Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi on Sunday’s starting grid.
Alongside a star-studded grid of Formula 1 drivers, Real Madrid and Belgium international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes his Virtual Grand Prix debut for Red Bull, with a host of other exciting names set to be announced over the coming days.
This weekend’s virtual Grand Prix is the third race in the new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, which gives fans the chance to watch Formula 1 races virtually during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
This weekend’s Grand Prix will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit, China on the day when the official Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2020 would have originally taken place. Drivers will join the race remotely, with a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena from 6:00pm (BST) on Sunday April 19 – a change from previous weekends where races have started at 8:00pm.
The broadcast which will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch, Weibo and Facebook channels, is expected to run for 1 hour 30 minutes, with a qualifying period where grid positions will be determined based on the drivers’ fastest lap time, followed by a 28-lap race. The Virtual Grand Prix will also be broadcast live with international broadcast partners in over 100 countries including in the UK on Sky Sports and in the US on ESPN.
In addition to the Chinese Virtual Grand Prix, the F1 Esports Series China Championship will kick off its 2020 Season on Sunday with a Pre-season Event. The 2020 Season will retain much of the same structure with qualification, regional finals, and the Grand Final – but will see the introduction of a brand-new Pro League which was not part of the 2019 Season. The Pro League is a 22 race online championship following the same point scoring mechanic as the Formula One World Championship. The top ten racers from the Pro League driver standings will enter the Grand Final directly and compete with other racers from the regional finals for the chance to sign for an official F1 Esports team.
The Pre-season Event itself will include two online exhibition races. The first will be an All-Star race at Circuit de Monaco where top racers from the 2019 Season will put on a show, whilst the second will be a Pro League pre-season race at Shanghai International Circuit where the Pro League teams will get a chance to showcase their talents in front of fans.
This weekend’s F1 Esports Pro Exhibition race will precede the virtual Grand Prix – and is set to begin at 5:00pm (BST). The broadcast will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels as well as selected TV broadcasters and is expected to run for 1 hour.
Julian Tan, Head of Digital Business Initiatives and Esports said:
“From an esports perspective, the last Virtual Grand Prix was one of our most successful events we’ve ever put on, so it’s great to be back and be able to continue building something that has proven hugely popular. It’s very important to us that we can give our fans something to look forward in these uncertain times, so to see such an impressive list of returning drivers is fantastic. We hope the racing action is just as thrilling and fun as last time out!”
View the Virtual Chinese Grand Prix promo trailer here
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Asia
Skillhub Online Games Federation forges strategic partnership with IESF to bring International Esports Championships to India
The Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) with the support of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports is aiming to bring the prestigious International Esports Championships to India for the first time, marking a major milestone for the country’s burgeoning esports industry. In a strategic move to position India as a global leader in online competitive and skill-based gaming, SOGF is working closely with the International Esports Federation (IESF) to organise world-class tournaments on Indian soil.
In a pivotal meeting last week, representatives from the SOGF and the IESF General Secretary, Boban Totovski, jointly called upon the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, to discuss their milestone partnership aimed at shaping the future of India’s esports ecosystem.
In the meeting, the Hon’ble Sports Minister expressed strong support for SOGF and IESF’s initiative to introduce world-class esports programmes in India, emphasising the significance of developing the ecosystem and providing Indian athletes with international opportunities. He also endorsed SOGF’s efforts to regulate the esports and skill-based gaming ecosystem, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering a fair and competitive environment for the industry’s growth.
Shankar Aggarwal, President of SOGF said, “We are extremely thankful to the government and IESF for turning things around in such a short period of time. India’s potential in esports is immense, and this collaboration has the power to transform the esports landscape in the country. Not only will it broaden the reach of esports in India, but it will also pave the way for top-tier international competitions to be hosted in the country. With the support of the government and international bodies like IESF, we aim to foster a fair and thriving ecosystem. Our commitment is to nurture talent, regulate the industry, and ensure that Indian athletes have every opportunity to excel on the global stage.”
SOGF comprises Olympians, former high-ranking officials including former CJI and SC Judges, civil servants, and industry veterans, ensuring robust governance; it is further strengthened by its 29 associate state bodies, reflecting nationwide support for such initiatives. It is dedicated to ensuring fair competition, fostering transparency, and nurturing talent to represent India globally thereby emphasising fairness, collaboration, and sustainable long-term growth for India’s online gaming industry.
To champion online games including esports and to revolutionise the way gaming and esports are perceived in India, the SOG Federation has also joined hands with the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), an umbrella organisation for global governing bodies of mind and skill-based sports, and the Global Esports Federation (GEF).
Boban Totovski, General Secretary, IESF said, “Supporting the growth and development of Esports communities around the world has always been one of the IESF’s key missions. We’re glad to see that SOGF shares the same values and is dedicated to working toward the same vision in India. We are very excited that our new pro-series, which we are organising, will kick off here, and we believe SOGF is a great partner for the project while unlocking opportunities for athletes, development and esports enthusiasts.”
Furthermore, the partnership between SOGF and IESF, supported by the Government of India, marks a positive step toward becoming a global leader in the space, especially with the much-anticipated Olympic Esports Games now in the mix. This collaboration aligns with India’s growing focus on international esports and the opportunities ahead for its athletes.
The post Skillhub Online Games Federation forges strategic partnership with IESF to bring International Esports Championships to India appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
WorldMatch Announces Strategic Partnership with KGI
WorldMatch, leading provider of premium online gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with KGI, marking a significant milestone in its expansion into the Philippine market. The collaboration with KGI represents WorldMatch’s inaugural and exclusive direct client in the Philippines, positioning the company as a key player in this burgeoning market.
As part of this partnership, WorldMatch has obtained certification for its games by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards. This certification underscores WorldMatch’s commitment to providing high-quality gaming content that meets the strict requirements of regulated markets.
“The partnership with KGI and the certification by PAGCOR mark a pivotal moment for WorldMatch. Entering the Philippine market represents a significant opportunity for us to expand our presence in a regulated and rapidly growing industry. We are excited to collaborate with KGI and deliver our cutting-edge gaming solutions to players in the region,” said Xhuljana Demerxhiu, Head of Sales at WorldMatch.
The Philippines is a key market for the online gaming industry, with its robust regulatory framework and growing demand for innovative gaming experiences. By partnering with KGI and obtaining PAGCOR certification, WorldMatch is poised to capitalize on this opportunity and establish a strong foothold in the region.
Mr. Marvin A. Tort, President of KGI, said: “KGI is looking forward to this collaboration with WorldMatch, which is well known for its innovative gaming products with engaging gameplay. We are proud to be their partner in this region.”
The post WorldMatch Announces Strategic Partnership with KGI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Kazakhstan to Host the Games of the Future 2026
Following a highly competitive process, Phygital International announced that Kazakhstan has been chosen as the host of the Games of the Future 2026.
This annual tournament, which is the pinnacle event of the phygital sporting world, received hosting bids from countries across the world, all bidding to follow the UAE in becoming hosts of this prestigious event.
Kazakhstan proved itself the ultimate winner with the Phygital International Expert Committee judges, after showcasing its expertise in hosting international tournaments, its state-of-the-art sports venues – along with the perfect mix of being a nation that embraces sports, culture and tradition as well as its technology and innovation capabilities.
The Games of the Future is a unique international event, which brings together the next generation of dynamic sporting heroes from all over the world. Phygital International expects the Games of the Future 2025 in UAE and now, 2026 in Kazakhstan to welcome thousands of world-class athletes and esports persons as part of multinational clubs. They will participate in the multi-sport event which comprises of a number of phygital sport challenges.
Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, said: “We’re hugely excited at the prospect of Kazakhstan receiving the phygital flame from next year’s host, the UAE to host the 2026 tournament. It’s so pleasing to see the exponential growth of not only phygital sports, but also the global phygital community.
“In fact, the host nation bidding process for the Games of the Future 2027 is already hotting up but there’s still time for other countries to put their bid in before the deadline in December.”
Yerbol Myrzabossynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports for the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: “It is a privilege for our great nation of Kazakhstan to be awarded the honour of hosting the Games of the Future in 2026. Our country has supported phygital sport from its very inception, and we take pride in being the next in line to host this great event and we’re excited to receive the phygital flame from the UAE, who’s hosting in 2025 we greatly look forward to.”
The Games of the Future places no restrictions on its participants and welcomes everyone, regardless of their age, gender and nationality. The deadline for submitting applications to host the tournament in 2027 is December 31, 2024.
The post Kazakhstan to Host the Games of the Future 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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