Gaming
Global Gaming League Launches New Era of Competitive Video Gaming with T-Pain vs. NE-YO Showdown and More
The groundbreaking new entertainment sports league combining video gaming, celebrity, music, fashion, and culture—kicks off its first multi-title competition series with SZN Zero live on August 23rd
Las Vegas, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Gaming League (GGL) announced today its first season of year-around competitions titled SZN Zero. Backed by entertainment visionary Clinton Sparks and Grammy-winning artist and streaming icon T-Pain, the GGL is the first-of-its-kind, multi-title, live-action gaming entertainment league, where professional gamers, influencers, and casual players compete side-by-side in front of live audiences in Las Vegas and available globally on major platforms. Teams compete in popular game titles ranging from Call of Duty and Rocket League to Tetris and Street-Fighter.
Each event will feature two celebrity owned teams made up of four players each – high profile influencers, actors, athletes, artists, and both professional and casual gamers – facing off in four round matches covering four different genres. Superstar hosts and half time shows from major artists will turn up the entertainment factor. SZN Zero events will take place in Las Vegas, building up to a championship match in November live from the iconic Palms resort and casino, and the Global Gaming League will continue with SZN One in 2026.
SZN Zero’s first competition on August 23rd will feature T-Pain’s team Nappy Boy Grizzlies against three-time, Grammy award-winning hitmaker NE-YO and his Gentleman’s Gaming Team – finally facing off after months of social media trash talk and rivalry about who’s better at Tekken. The event will stream live on the GGL’s YouTube channel and other major platforms.

T-Pain, who is GGL’s Director of Strategy, was the league’s first team owner. NE-YO joins previously announced owners Flavor Flav and Bryce Hall along with Gillie Da Kid & Wallo.
“We wanted to build something that brought gamers from different backgrounds and cultures together in a unique way that was equally fun and competitive,” said Clinton Sparks, Founder and CEO of the Global Gaming League.”With SZN Zero, we will introduce an authentic and relatable form of entertaining competition that will converge music, fashion, celebrity, and culture bringing the biggest form of entertainment in the world – video gaming – to the masses.”
Watch and embed the GGL SZN Zero promo video here.
“Gaming is just as important as music or any other sport, to me” said T-Pain. “NE-YO had some words for me on socials, I heard enough of what he had to say and felt it was time to show him that I actually do this. But honestly I’m just ready to have some fun with my friend, because bottom line, that’s what gaming is all about. Now folks will just have to see what happens on August 23rd when we face off in Las Vegas at the GGL SZN Zero launch.”
NE-YO responded: “Honestly, I was trying to connect with T-Pain to maybe be part of his team but when he kept blowing me off and then I saw that video of him talking about my lips, I decided the only way to get his attention would be to call him out. Now, we’ll see just how good he really is – or isn’t – when we go head to head.”
World-class Publishers such as Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Capcom, EA, Tetris, and Ubisoft have all agreed to allow GGL to use some of the most popular and challenging games during SZN Zero, attracting a new audience and offering viewers a unique and compelling gaming experience. In addition to YouTube, the Global Gaming League SZN Zero will be available on other major streaming platforms in partnership with Dooya Media Group.
The community got a small taste of what’s to come at a GGL pre-season match where fans became the first to view a live competition between T-Pain and Bryce Hall, which also featured co-hosts Nick Cannon and Jermaine Dupri, and a half-time show by Soulja Boy. (Watch highlights of that competition here).
The GGL solves a problem that has held gaming back from its rightful place in contemporary culture and business. GGL’s model was built intentionally to bring investors a meaningful return on investment, so brands can connect with the over 3 billion strong global gaming community, publishers can expand their IP to new audiences, celebrities can build an authentic footprint in gaming and gamers have a path to actually launch a career and be recognized as true athletes.
More info on the Global Gaming League at www.globalgamingleague.com and follow @GlobalGamingLeague for updates.
For GGL media inquiries contact: [email protected] and [email protected]
For NE-YO related inquiries contact: [email protected]
About Global Gaming League:
GGL is a new kind of league—where gaming, culture, music, sports, fashion, and reality TV collide. With celebrity-led teams, live competitions, global fan engagement, and next-gen media experiences, GGL is building the first entertainment system for the world’s largest and most engaged audience. Learn more at www.globalgamingleague.com
Attachments
- Global Gaming League logo
- T-Pain and NE-YO face off at Global Gaming League launch
- Global Gaming League SZN Zero launches August 23rd with T-Pain vs. NE-YO
CONTACT: [email protected] [email protected]

Amusnet
Amusnet Releases New Crash Game “Treasure Dive”
Amusnet has released Treasure Dive, an immersive new crash game that combines fast-paced gameplay, engaging mechanics and a captivating underwater adventure. Designed to appeal to players seeking high-risk, high-reward entertainment, the latest release reflects Amusnet’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative gaming experiences that cater to a wide range of player preferences.
Set beneath the ocean’s surface, Treasure Dive follows a fearless diver on a mission to uncover long-lost riches hidden in the depths. With every meter descended, the multiplier climbs higher, encouraging players to decide whether to secure their winnings or continue the search for even greater rewards. With the Instant Cash Collect feature, players can lock in their winnings at any moment, adding a strategic layer to every decision as the multiplier continues to climb.
Suspense builds with every second until a lurking anglerfish emerges from the darkness, instantly ending the dive and the round. This simple yet engaging mechanic creates constant anticipation, rewarding strategic decision-making while delivering the excitement that has made crash games one of the industry’s fastest-growing categories.
The launch of Treasure Dive marks another step in the expansion of Amusnet’s crash portfolio, reinforcing the company’s strategy of enriching its game offering with fresh concepts that resonate with today’s players. By blending familiar crash mechanics with a distinctive theme and immersive storytelling, the title offers operators another compelling way to engage audiences looking for quick, dynamic gameplay without compromising on entertainment value.
Inspired by the thrill of discovering hidden treasures, Treasure Dive perfectly complements Amusnet’s growing collection of adventure-themed releases while introducing a fresh setting that stands out within the category. With its intuitive gameplay, atmospheric visuals and balanced mix of risk and reward, the game is designed to attract both experienced crash enthusiasts and newcomers eager to embark on their next underwater expedition.
Gamble
Play the game and multiply the winnings through the Gambling feature.
Multipliers
The game starts with a multiplier set at 1x and rises gradually and can go up to a max coefficient of 1,000,000. Multiplier can potentially crash at 1x, ending the game round.
50% Cash Out
Players can cash out 50% of their bet during the game round and continue playing with the remaining 50%.
Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.
The post Amusnet Releases New Crash Game “Treasure Dive” appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Amusnet
Amusnet Releases Cocktail Splash, a Tropical-themed Crash Game
Amusnet has released Cocktail Splash, a high-energy crash game that blends summer vibes, fast decision-making and adrenaline-fueled gameplay into a bold new entertainment experience.
Set in a vibrant tropical ocean, Cocktail Splash throws players into a thrilling chase where a fearless rider glides across sparkling waves, cocktail in hand – while a relentless shark closes in, determined to steal the prize. Every second on the water raises the stakes as the multiplier climbs and tension builds, turning each run into a split-second decision: cash out or push further before the shark strikes.
At the heart of the gameplay is a simple but powerful risk-reward loop, enhanced by the 50% Cash Out feature, allowing players to secure part of their winnings while staying in the action for additional upside. This added layer of control creates more strategic depth without slowing down the fast-paced excitement.
Inspired by the signature Cocktail Rush experience, Cocktail Splash evolves the concept with sharper pacing, expressive visuals and an even more immersive crash structure. Powered by a Provably Fair algorithm, the game ensures transparent outcomes while maintaining the intensity and unpredictability that defines the genre.
With its mix of tropical aesthetics, instant engagement and high-stakes chase mechanics, Cocktail Splash reinforces Amusnet’s focus on delivering innovative, entertainment-driven crash titles designed to stand out in competitive game lobbies.
Amusnet continues to push the crash category forward – creating experiences that are not only visually striking but built to keep players on the edge of their seats from the first second to the last splash.
Gamble
Play the game and multiply the winnings through the Gambling feature.
Multipliers
The game starts with a multiplier set at 1x and rises gradually and can go up to a max coefficient of 1,000,000. Multiplier can potentially crash at 1x, ending the game round.
50% Cash Out
Players can cash out 50% of their bet during the game round and continue playing with the remaining 50%.
Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.
The post Amusnet Releases Cocktail Splash, a Tropical-themed Crash Game appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
Study: 400m Gen Z esports fans say brand activations drive purchases
EFG, Hero Esports and Niko Partners survey 8,000 fans across eight markets; 74% report ads and brand presence influence buying.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), Hero Esports and Niko Partners have released a multi-country Gen Z esports study claiming around 400 million Gen Z consumers (20%) regularly engage with esports. The findings were published on 25th June 2026 in Cannes, France, in a white paper titled The Esports Generation: Who They Are & Why They Spend.
The report is based on survey data from 8,000 Gen Z esports fans aged 13-30 across eight markets. It positions esports as a high-attention channel for brands: 85% of respondents said they notice branding in esports, while 74% self-reported that advertising and brand participation in gaming spaces influences their purchasing behaviour. The study also reports that 66% have bought a product following a collaboration or co-branding partnership with an esports team, game or player.
On consumption and fandom touchpoints, the study found 71% regularly watch gaming content, including 66% who watch gaming livestreams and 33% who watch or listen to gaming podcasts. It also points to offline reach: 21% said they regularly attend gaming conventions and esports events, with the average respondent attending at least one in-person event in the past nine months.
The white paper also breaks out claimed purchase categories linked to esports collaborations over the past year, led by food and beverage (33%), electronics (33%) and fashion (32%). Beyond core categories, it reports 28% bought esports-related collectibles, 17% purchased makeup, beauty, or skincare products, and 10% bought from partnered brands in other categories.
Niccolo Maisto, CEO at ESL FACEIT Group said: “Esports has evolved into one of the most effective channels for companies looking to connect with Gen Z audiences at scale. What makes it unique is not just its reach, but the depth of engagement and trust that exists between fans, players, teams, and events. This research shows that esports fans are highly invested participants, not passive viewers, creating an opportunity for brands that show up authentically and build meaningful and lasting connections with this key audience.”
Danny Tang, Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Esports said: “This whitepaper confirms what we at Hero Esports have long believed: esports has evolved into a global cultural and economic force. The data shows an audience that is young, diverse, and deeply engaged. For brands, the message is clear—esports is no longer a niche market; it is the premier platform to connect with the next generation of consumers. We are proud to partner with Niko Partners and EFG to provide this blueprint for understanding and succeeding in this dynamic industry.”
Lisa Hanson, CEO at Niko Partners said: “Our data shows that, much like fans of other sports, Gen Z esports fans are incredibly passionate and have formed strong bonds within their communities. However, their media and consumer affinities extend well beyond gaming and esports, with our research revealing naturally connected interest areas that create valuable overlapping opportunities for brands and partners that show up authentically in this ecosystem.”
The post Study: 400m Gen Z esports fans say brand activations drive purchases appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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