eSports

AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano to play the first ever virtual Milan Derby on Pro Evolution Soccer 2020

Published

6 years ago

April 10, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

AC Milan and FC Internazionale will face off in a game of Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 to bring all fans together in these difficult times
The first-ever virtual derby is set to take place on Saturday 11^th April at 12:30pm CEST with Rafael Leao of AC Milan taking on Sebastiano Esposito of FC Internazionale

AC Milan has announced that it has joined forces with FC Internazionale and digital sports broadcaster DAZN to play the first-ever virtual Milan derby on KONAMI’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 (PES 2020).

The game will get under way on Friday, 11^th April, at 12:30pm CEST and will see Portuguese striker Rafael Leão of AC Milan take on FC Internazionale striker Sebastiano Esposito in what is expected to be an exciting match up. Ahead of the game, the two young strikers have confessed their love for video games, with football games being their favourites.

20-year-old AC Milan striker Rafael Leão commented on the initiative: “We can’t physically be on a football pitch right now, so it will be quite fun to represent my team and play against Sebastiano [Esposito] on PES. This is a derby after all and I want to win, but most importantly this is a way to be a little closer to our fans in these difficult times.”

The commentary for the derby will be provided by DAZN commentator Stefano Borghi, with sports reporter Diletta Leotta hosting the game and interviewing the two players after the final whistle.

Fans will be able to watch the game on AC Milan’s official app (available for free on iOS and Android), the Club’s Facebook and YouTube channels and on TV subscription-based channel Milan TV.

The virtual Milan derby is part of a series of initiatives organised by AC Milan to unite all fans during the coronavirus pandemic and to invite them to contribute to the ongoing fundraising campaign launched by the Club and Fondazione Milan in the fight against Covid-19. The campaign has so far raised over €600,000 with fans able to donate via: https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergenza-coronavirus-ospedali

1000 Dreams Fund

Riot Games and 1000 Dreams Fund Expand Talent Pipeline in Esports Broadcasting, Accepting Two New Cadets to their Specialized 2026 Program

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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.

Berlin Gaming Industry

Tom Achsel Joins FACTORY-C to Spearhead “Home of Indies” Communications

Published

2 weeks ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

tom-achsel-joins-factory-c-to-spearhead-“home-of-indies”-communications

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:

Games Academy: Served as Head of Marketing & Events at one of Europe’s oldest game development institutions.
Games Ground Berlin: Co-founded and led communications for the Berlin Gaming Festival, curating impactful B2B programs and speaker lineups.
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.

2025 Growth: The booth expanded to 440 square meters, featuring over 50 games from a dozen countries.
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.

BlueBottle

BlueBottle Launches “League Broadcast” SaaS for Streamlined Esports Production

Published

2 weeks ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

bluebottle-launches-“league-broadcast”-saas-for-streamlined-esports-production

BlueBottle, the Munich-based esports technology innovator, has officially launched League Broadcast, its professional-grade production software, via a new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model.

Announced on January 7, 2026, this B2C release moves the platform from selective partner deployments and its long-standing beta phase into a publicly accessible tool for leagues, tournament organizers, and individual content creators worldwide.

Professional Broadcast Tools for All Tiers

League Broadcast is designed to automate and elevate the visual storytelling of competitive gaming, specifically targeting the League of Legends ecosystem. The software bypasses traditional API limitations by using low-level game data collection to provide real-time, high-fidelity visualizations.

At launch, BlueBottle has introduced a tiered pricing structure to suit different operational scales:

Tier	Status	Key Features	Target Audience
Free	Available	Core overlays, essential team/player data, basic game stats.	Grassroots creators & amateur streamers.
Basic	Available	Commercial usage rights, customizable pre-game elements, professional draft tools.	Semi-pro leagues & small event organizers.
Pro	Coming Soon	Advanced analytics, event-driven automation, premium production tools.	Professional leagues & high-scale live operations.

Supported by Creative Europe Media

The transition to a scalable SaaS model was significantly bolstered by funding from Creative Europe Media, the European Union’s flagship program for the audiovisual and creative sectors. This backing allowed BlueBottle to invest in:

Enhanced Stability: Hardening the software for 24/7 live environments.
Improved Infrastructure: Faster development cycles and dedicated customer support.
Accessibility: Lowering the barrier for European creators to produce “broadcast-quality” content that competes with high-budget international productions.

“This launch represents more than a new pricing model — it’s the moment League Broadcast becomes accessible to the wider esports community,” said Lars Eble, CTO at BlueBottle. “We were able to invest in long-term product quality… ensuring that our B2C customers receive the same level of reliability previously reserved for large partners.”

Strengthening the European Esports Ecosystem

By providing affordable, automated tools for real-time data visualization—such as dynamic gold graphs, inhibitor timers, and 3D in-world branding—BlueBottle is positioning itself as a core infrastructure provider for the digital media age. The platform allows smaller organizations to monetize their formats more effectively through professional-looking sponsor placements and deeper viewer engagement.

The post BlueBottle Launches “League Broadcast” SaaS for Streamlined Esports Production appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.