eSports
Fnatic publishes first-ever set of safeguarding policies for the pro gaming industry
Fnatic, the London-based global esports performance brand, has today unveiled the first-ever set of safeguarding policies designed specifically for pro gaming. The publication of the organisation’s Global Safeguarding Policies highlights Fnatic’s commitment to spearheading the conversation and development of safeguarding in pro gaming to build a safer system that protects current and future gamers.
The industry’s first safeguarding policies were developed in partnership with leading experts, including safeguarding training consultancy Safeguarding Today, key advisers to the government on online harms and safeguarding, and safeguarding leads at professional sports teams, including various Premier League clubs.
Fnatic’s two policies include the Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy, which outlines the risks faced by people under the age of 18, and the Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy, which outlines the risks faced by vulnerable adults. As well as pinpointing the risks faced by both groups, the Global Safeguarding Policies also include Fnatic’s approach to safeguarding, the organisation’s safeguarding Code of Conduct and guidance on how the team will respond to a safeguarding complaint.
In addition to the policies, Fnatic has also committed to a safeguarding pledge, which is based on the five Rs of Rights, Responsibility, Respect, Reporting and Risk. By committing to implementing the five Rs, Fnatic will be able to clearly distinguish between actions that drive gaming performance and those that are abusive.
As well as publishing the policies, Fnatic has also shared its latest Insights Report – Safeguarding in Esports – which addresses the current state of safeguarding in the competitive gaming ecosystem in a bid to open up the discussion on the issue. The report outlines the unique risks posed in esports and highlights Fnatic’s commitment to reducing the risk of abuse, bullying, harm, harassment and neglect of children, young people and adults at risk.
Andrew Cooke, General Counsel at Fnatic, believes that the launch of the first ever safeguarding policies in pro gaming can be the catalyst to starting further conversations and developing more policies in the pro gaming industry:
“Safeguarding is hugely important for any organisation that connects with or engages with children and young people on a regular basis. But so far there has been limited progress made when it comes to recognising and protecting the rights of young people and vulnerable adults in our industry.
“At Fnatic, we believe that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of anyone we engage with. That’s why, in partnership with leading experts in sports safeguarding, we’ve decided to lead the conversation and development of safeguarding in esports to help protect current and future pro gamers against harm.
“We truly hope that by putting safeguarding in the spotlight and sharing it with any esports organisation interested in better understanding it, we can influence those around us to either adopt our policies and pledge completely, or use it to create policies of their own.”
Jennie Smith, Founder and Director of Safeguarding Today, an organisation that worked closely with Fnatic to develop the policies, believes the esports organisation is taking a pioneering approach to safeguarding in a digital environment:
“As we’ve seen in many traditional sports, it’s a matter of when, not if, a major safeguarding issue arises in esports so it’s really important that Fnatic has taken a progressive, forward-thinking view to safeguarding in the digital space to better protect those around them. I support their efforts to set standards in this area and I encourage other organisations in the ecosystem to follow their lead.”
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ALGS 2026 Championship
S8UL Esports secures historic top five finish at ALGS 2026 Championship; bags INR 1 crore in prize money
S8UL Esports, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, delivered a landmark performance by finishing among the top five teams globally at the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) 2026 Championship, held in Sapporo, Japan from January 15 to 18. This result represents the best ever finish by an Indian organization on the Apex Legends global stage, setting a new benchmark for Indian esports at the highest level of international competition.
The ALGS 2026 Championship, the crowning event of the Apex Legends competitive calendar, brought together 40 of the world’s most consistent and high-performing teams from the year-long global circuit. S8UL’s all-Australian roster featuring Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko), and Tom Canty (Legacy), led by head coach Harrison Rogers (Rogers), delivered a standout campaign and emerged as the only South Asian team to secure a Top 5 finish at the premier international Apex Legends event. The team earned USD 120,000 (approximately INR 1 crore) from the tournament’s USD 2,000,000 (approximately INR 18.14 crore) total prize pool.
Commenting on the achievement, Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL, said, “Over the years, we have built one of India’s strongest gaming creator ecosystems and a solid foundation in content. In the last 18 months, we have deliberately expanded our focus to global esports investments across multiple titles, and performances like this validate that vision. Our ambition is to compete and win at the highest level worldwide. We are investing deeply, assembling world-class international rosters, and representing S8UL on the global stage from India. A top five finish at ALGS is a major milestone, and it marks only the beginning of what we believe will be a very strong future for S8UL in esports.”
S8UL began their campaign in Group B, navigating a demanding round-robin stage where all 40 teams were divided into four groups of 10. The team’s consistent performances saw them finish among the top 20 teams, earning a spot in the Winners Bracket and keeping them firmly in title contention.
From there, S8UL qualified for the Grand Finals, where the remaining 20 teams competed under the high-pressure Match Point Format. Under this system, a team must reach 50 points and then secure a match win to claim the championship, with the remaining teams ranked by total points. Across nine final matches, S8UL accumulated 64 points to finish fifth overall, just one point behind fourth-placed GROW Gaming, underlining how closely contested the championship was.
“The margins at this level are extremely fine, and the team showed tremendous composure throughout the tournament. From the group stage through to the finals, the players displayed adaptability, trust, and resilience. Finishing in the top five globally is a major milestone, and it reinforces our confidence in this roster’s ability to contend for championships in the future,” commented Harrison Rogers, coach of S8UL’s Apex Legends team.
S8UL’s performance at the ALGS 2026 Championship builds on the organisation’s growing presence in international Apex Legends competition. In 2025, S8UL competed at the ALGS Midseason Playoffs as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, where the organisation also became the first Indian team to be selected as a Club Partner for the tournament. With consecutive appearances at Apex Legends’ premier global events, S8UL continues to establish itself as a consistent contender on the world stage and a flagbearer for Indian esports internationally.
The post S8UL Esports secures historic top five finish at ALGS 2026 Championship; bags INR 1 crore in prize money appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
1000 Dreams Fund
Riot Games and 1000 Dreams Fund Expand Talent Pipeline in Esports Broadcasting, Accepting Two New Cadets to their Specialized 2026 Program
1000 Dreams Fund (1DF), a nonprofit that empowers talented women and students in need with scholarships, mentorship and other critical resources to help them reach their dream careers, has announced that two new cadets have been selected to its 2026 Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship at Riot Games’ Remote Broadcast Center (RBC) powered by AWS in Seattle.
The cadets selected for the three-month, paid cadetship position are:
• Marissa M. – Indiana University Bloomington
• Kevin D. – University of North Florida
The cadetship program runs in partnership with Riot Games—a leading video game developer, publisher and esports tournament organizer—and their global partner, AWS. Together with 1DF, the partners are committed to expanding access and creating pathways for individuals aspiring toward a career in esports broadcasting and production.
“We’re excited to host the Esports Broadcasting Cadetship in our Seattle Remote Broadcast Center for the first time. This facility has revolutionized how we produce esports at scale, and the Esports Broadcasting Cadetship brings that innovation to life by connecting emerging talent directly to the future of the industry. Through our partnership with 1000 Dreams Fund, we’re not only investing in today’s talent but also building a pipeline of leaders equipped to shape what comes next in global esports production,” said Allyson Gormley, Global Operations Director, Esports Broadcast & Production for Riot Games.
As Gen Z and early-career professionals increasingly rethink traditional career tracks, demand continues to grow for hands-on, skills-driven roles that offer clear pathways into competitive industries. In response, innovative workforce programs are materializing to bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity, prioritizing real-world experience over linear career models.
The Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship exemplifies this new model of workforce development in emerging fields. Launched in 2023 as part of 1000 Dreams Fund’s broader commitment to workforce access and equity, the program was built to meet this moment — long before non-traditional career pathways became a mainstream conversation. By placing early-career students inside a global esports operation, the Cadetship provides a proven pathway, offering the training, mentorship and live production experience needed to launch careers in esports broadcasting.
“This year marks 10 years of 1000 Dreams Fund building programs that create real access to opportunity for students and early-career talent. The Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship reflects the kind of long-term, impact-driven work we’ve been committed to since day one, and in a time of deep transition in the workforce, these programs are more important than ever. We’re proud to continue expanding pathways, especially within emerging industries, that help students turn ambition into lasting careers,” said Christie Garton, founder and CEO of 1000 Dreams Fund.
For the selected cadets, this investment creates immediate momentum and removes common barriers to entry while positioning participants for long-term growth in a highly competitive field.
The post Riot Games and 1000 Dreams Fund Expand Talent Pipeline in Esports Broadcasting, Accepting Two New Cadets to their Specialized 2026 Program appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
FACTORY-C, the Berlin-based communications powerhouse specializing in gaming and esports, has announced the appointment of Tom Achsel as Event Communications Manager. Achsel will join the “Home of Indies” team alongside project initiator Christiane Gehrke, focusing on the platform’s global expansion and upcoming presence at Gamescom 2026.
With over a decade of experience in the tech and gaming sectors, Achsel brings a massive professional network and deep operational expertise to the agency.
A Veteran of the Berlin Gaming Scene
Tom Achsel is a well-known figure in the German development community. His career highlights include:
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Games Academy: Served as Head of Marketing & Events at one of Europe’s oldest game development institutions.
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Games Ground Berlin: Co-founded and led communications for the Berlin Gaming Festival, curating impactful B2B programs and speaker lineups.
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IGDA Berlin: Serves as Vice-Chairman, strengthening ties between local developers and the global gaming ecosystem.
Christiane Gehrke, Senior Event Communication & Sales Manager at Factory-C
“Tom knows the indie scene from multiple perspectives and has a sharp understanding of the needs of indie developers,” said Christiane Gehrke, Senior Event Communication & Sales Manager at FACTORY-C. “He brings everything needed to support the continued development of Home of Indies.”
Scaling the “Home of Indies” Platform
Since its debut in 2022, Home of Indies has grown into a central pillar of the Gamescom Indie Area. The platform provides a shared booth for independent developers, lowering the barrier to entry for international studios.
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2025 Growth: The booth expanded to 440 square meters, featuring over 50 games from a dozen countries.
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New Features: The project recently added a dedicated Spotlight Stage, streaming booths, and professional networking areas via MeetToMatch.
As Event Communications Manager, Achsel will lead the outreach strategy for Gamescom 2026, ensuring that the creative diversity of the global indie scene receives maximum visibility among press, influencers, and players.
The post Tom Achsel Joins FACTORY-C to Spearhead “Home of Indies” Communications appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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