eSports

Resolve Acquires Barrage Esports

Published

4 years ago

May 11, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

UK-based esports organisation Resolve Esports has acquired fellow UK organisation Barrage Esports.

As a result of the acquisition, and subsequent merger, Resolve will take over all of Barrage’s esports and business operations. Resolve has also entered into discussions with Barrage’s existing partners to explore the possibility of working with them.

Resolve has paid an additional fee to compensate for Barrage’s existing members of staff who won’t be joining. Several of Barrage’s staff members will be continuing within the organisation.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

To honour Barrage’s legacy, 50 limited edition Resolve/Barrage esports jerseys will be created, with all profits from the shirt sales going to Barrage’s charity partner, SpecialEffect. Resolve may also incorporate Barrage branding within some of their activities in the future.

Resolve will be giving up one slot in the UKEL and one slot in the UKLC to allow the event organisers to pass these opportunities to other UK organisations and grow the ecosystem. Resolve will also review Barrage’s North American team operations and have a conversation about what happens here in the future.

Resolve founder Ilias ‘Rai’ Pajoheshfar said: “It has always been our intention to compete at the highest level and the journey so far has been a brilliant one.

“When Barrage kindly presented us with this opportunity, we felt an obligation to ensure the UK continues to be represented and after careful consideration, we felt the timing was right.

“We would like to thank Barrage for their hard work and service to UK esports, and will honour their legacy.”

Jeff Simpkins, who is stepping down as MD of Barrage Esports, said: “I reached out to Ilias and Resolve as I felt it was time to make a decision about Barrage’s and my own future in esports. I specifically reached out to Ilias as he is someone I have known for a couple of years now, who I have had a good rapport with and trust, as well as being wise beyond his years.

“I wanted to ensure that whatever decision was made, the history of Barrage was entrusted to people who would value it and be able to truly build upon it. I feel, from the discussions I’ve had with Ilias and the team at Resolve, that they will do that. From those discussions, several of the existing Barrage staff members will also be moving to Resolve whilst others will be moving on to other places both in and outside of esports.

“To all those who have supported Barrage, have been part of our journey and specifically supported or helped guide myself over the years, thank you so much. It has been an absolute honour and I can’t properly encapsulate in so few words how much that has truly meant to me. I hope you will now give Resolve, Ilias and the team the same support that you have offered Barrage and myself as they now take over the mantle.

“This may technically be the end of Barrage’s journey, but part of it will always live on in Resolve.”

eSports

PandaScore and Playbook Engineering join forces

Published

5 days ago

March 5, 2025

George Miller

pandascore-and-playbook-engineering-join-forces

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Pioneering esports odds, data and betting products provider now available to operators powered by leading platform supplier with the integration facilitated by Sporting Solutions

PandaScore, the award-winning provider of esports odds, data and betting products, has integrated its suite of solutions with Playbook Engineering, the global sportsbook platform provider.

The partnership has been facilitated by Sporting Solutions, which has strategic partnerships with both PandaScore and Playbook Engineering.

Playbook Engineering has established itself as a leading sportsbook platform provider, supporting brands such as Star Sports, AK Bets, Priced Up, Bet Wright, Gentleman Jim, and Dragon Bet.

Following the integration, online sportsbooks powered by Playbook Engineering can access PandaScore’s Odds feed allowing them to offer comprehensive and competitive esports odds for some of the most popular disciplines.

The scope of markets and the value of odds are unrivalled with PandaScore using sophisticated models backed by a team of experienced traders including specialist traders for disciplines like CS2, Dota 2 and LoL.

A growing number of platform providers and operators are making a move into the lucrative esports betting space, with PandaScore recently surpassing €1bn of bets through its platform off the back of a sharp rise in demand among players and operators.

Joseph Noone, Senior Sales Manager at PandaScore, said: “Playbook Engineering powers some renowned sportsbooks as well as up and coming brands that are really making an impact.

“It’s great that these sportsbooks can access our esports odds, data and betting products, allowing them to engage new and existing player cohorts with a compelling esports offering that stands out when it comes to the range and value of odds.

“The integration wouldn’t have been possible without our shared partner Sporting Solutions, and stands as an example of what can be achieved when providers work together.”

Luke Cousins, Commercial Director at Playbook Engineering, added: “Sportsbook operators simply can’t ignore the demand for esports betting and in PandaScore, we have a premium odds, data and betting product provider that lives and breathes esports.

“This partnership, done through our mutual friends, Sporting Solutions, further positions Playbook Engineering as a tier-one platform provider to some of the most exciting sportsbook brands around the world. This makes it a win for us, our partners and their players.”

The post PandaScore and Playbook Engineering join forces appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

eSports

Four Countries Shortlisted to Host GOTF 2027

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

Niji Narayan

four-countries-shortlisted-to-host-gotf-2027

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Phygital International (PI), the exclusive rights holders and custodians of The Games of the Future (GOTF), announced that Brazil, Serbia, South Africa, and Uzbekistan are the shortlisted applicants to host GOTF 2027. The Games of the Future is the world’s leading phygital sports tournament, bringing together sports and esports athletes from around the world.

With the UAE set to host GOTF 2025 and Kazakhstan in 2026, the competition for the 2027 edition has drawn significant interest from nations eager to position themselves as leaders in the world of phygital sports.

Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, said: “We received bids from right around the world which highlights the growing awareness and passion for phygital sports globally. We would like to thank all the nations who bid to host The Games of the Future 2027 and are pleased to announce that Brazil, Serbia, South Africa, and Uzbekistan have been selected as the nations shortlisted as potential hosts.”

Following further evaluations and detailed assessments of each finalist’s proposal, the final decision on the host country for GOTF 2027 will be announced in the summer of 2025.

The post Four Countries Shortlisted to Host GOTF 2027 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

Valorant Added to Hero Esports Asian Champions League

Published

2 weeks ago

February 24, 2025

Niji Narayan

valorant-added-to-hero-esports-asian-champions-league

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The HERO ESPORTS Asian Champions League (ACL), Asia’s premier multi-title esports tournament hosted by Hero Esports, has officially announced the addition of VALORANT to its inaugural lineup.

Previously, ACL unveiled six game titles: Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Honor of Kings, Teamfight Tactics, Delta Force, and Crossfire. With VALORANT joining the roster, the total number of games now stands at seven, with more titles expected to be announced soon.

Through continued collaboration with the Esports World Cup, ACL has revealed that the champions of the ACL CS2 and Honor of Kings Tournaments will secure direct entry to the Esports World Cup. Further collaborations on the remaining titles of the ACL are anticipated.

The ACL VALORANT Tournament will be the only international-level VALORANT tournament held in China during the first half of 2025, attracting top teams from overseas. The Final of the event will take place offline in Shanghai. The event will use world-class production and cutting-edge live broadcasting technology to enhance audience experience.

The ACL is set to take place in the first half of 2025, with the Finals of the ACL CS2 Tournament and Honor of Kings Tournament scheduled for May. The ACL will have a total prize pool of $2 million.

Jonny Wang, CEO of the Asian Champions League, said: “We are excited to announce the addition of VALORANT to the ACL. Our ambition is to make ACL into a truly comprehensive tournament, providing a larger stage for players and teams across various competitions while delivering more exciting content for our audience.”

Danny Tang, Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Esports, said: “We are pleased by the progress of the ACL and its ability to attract top teams and titles to compete across Asia. We look forward to the continued collaboration between Hero Esports, ACL and the Esports World Cup Foundation, which is testament to our shared ambition to shape and empower esports globally.”

The post Valorant Added to Hero Esports Asian Champions League appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.