Let’s face it, it looks like there’s never going to be a week in esports where we’re left scratching our heads wondering when the next significant developments are incoming. As always, we’ve put together the biggest stories from the last few days to help keep you in the know.
Whether it’s Battle Royale esports getting a huge boost, North finally formalising its deal with Adidas, or Splyce receiving a sizable investment, there’s lots for you to catch up with right here!
Remember, we have the ESI Dispatch, a twice weekly newsletter, to help keep you regularly in the know too…you know what to do.
PUBG Corp. to host Global Invitational with $2 million prize pool
PUBG Corp. has finally announced its plans to host an official esports tournament for PUBG. Aptly titled the PUBG Global Invitational, the event will see 20 teams travel to Berlin, Germany to compete for the lion’s share of the $2,000,000 prize pool.
The Invitational will take place from July 25th to 29th with teams qualifying through North American, Asian, and European regional tournaments. Two teams will be crowned as world champions: one team for first-person perspective, and the other team for third-person perspective.
Read the full article here.
Fortnite expands to China thanks to Tencent investment
Tencent has announced that it will be expanding Fortnite into China. The Chinese investment company is reportedly set to spend $15 million (£10.7m) on both marketing and esports for the Battle Royale title.
Those in China were already able to play Fortnite, but they were forced to play on servers from other countries. Tencent will provide Chinese servers, allowing players to carry over their progress so they retain their stats and skins.
Read the full article here.
North signs sponsorship with fashion and sportswear giant adidas
North – the organisation created in a joint effort between F.C. Copenhagen and Nordisk Film – has joined forces with globally-renowned sportswear and fashion company, adidas.
Planned to run for the remainder of 2018, this partnership has been described in having ‘a mutual ambition of extension’. This deal will see North’s players continue to wear adidas clothing whenever they stream and compete. While the brand has already been involved with esports, this is its first formalised partnership.
Read the full article here.
Splyce gains $1.5m investment from The Ledger Group
Splyce has received a major investment from Toronto, Canada, in the form of $1.5m (£1.07m) from The Ledger Group. To further reflect its interests in esports, The Ledger Group is rebranding as OverActive Media Group.
The company is looking to increase its footprint in esports, whether its building, acquiring, or investing in esports franchises and relevant businesses. Splyce’s CEO Marty Strenczewilk explained that “partnering with The Ledger Group opens opportunity in Toronto, a key market in the northeast for us.”
Read the full article here.