Good morning. It’s Tuesday, July 2. Today we’ll be exploring why fans are angry with The International 2024’s ticket prices, Star Sports Network’s broadcast deal with the Esports World Cup 2024, and taking a look at how a cosmetics brand is selling its products through Roblox and more.
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Dota 2 Fans Feel the Pinch as The International 2024 Ticket Prices Soar
The International 2024, Dota 2’s premier championship, has left many loyal fans feeling priced out due to soaring ticket costs. Unlike previous iterations of the tournament, with prices starting at $699, the dream of attending this iconic event in Copenhagen has become financially out of reach for many.
The shift in pricing strategy has sparked a wave of backlash, with former TI5 champion Peter “ppd” Dager predicting slower ticket sales and content creator Lara “hoxieloxie” Schofield lamenting the exclusion of budget-conscious fans.
In our latest feature, we explore the reasons behind this pricing strategy and its impact on the dedicated Dota 2 community. As other major esports events maintain fan-friendly pricing, we delve into why The International has taken a different route and what it means for its future accessibility.
Star Sports Network Acquires Rights for Esports World Cup 2024
Star Sports Network has secured the broadcasting rights for the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) 2024, the latest sign of Indian traditional media's growing investment in competitive gaming. Set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 3 to August 25, the EWC boasts a record-breaking prize pool exceeding $60 million and will feature top esports organizations competing in 21 popular game titles.
This partnership signifies a major step for esports in India, as Star Sports aims to deliver extensive coverage with commentary in both English and Hindi. The EWC will be accessible through Star Sports’ YouTube channel and on linear television via Star Sports First and Star Sports 2.
The move follows Star Sports' successful broadcast of the BGMI Masters in 2022, which attracted millions of viewers and underscored the rising popularity of esports in the region. “Esports is rapidly emerging as a significant force,” said Vikram Passi, Head of Marketing – Sports at Disney Star in a release, pointing to the potential for world-class competitions to attract a diverse audience.
The EWC will feature games such as Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, and PUBG Battlegrounds. The event, with its unprecedented scale and prize pool, marks a significant moment in the ongoing integration of esports into mainstream sports broadcasting, promising to further establish competitive gaming as a major entertainment sector in India.
Quick Bytes
Esports World Cup 2024 Secures Major Sponsorships
The Esports World Cup 2024, set in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has secured significant sponsorships from TikTok, Pepsi, HONOR, and Unilever's CLEAR MEN Shampoo and AXE Body Spray. TikTok will introduce a dedicated EWC Hub, offering exclusive content and interactive features. Pepsi will enhance the fan experience with activations like the Rockstar Bar. HONOR's 200 Pro smartphone will support competitions in mobile games, and Unilever aims to connect with Saudi Arabia's gaming community.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Introduces Real-World Commerce to Roblox
e.l.f. Cosmetics is taking innovation a step further by integrating real-world commerce into its Roblox experience, with Walmart powering the transactions. Starting today, users can visit the e.l.f. UP! virtual kiosk in Roblox to purchase select products, each accompanied by a "virtual twin" digital good. Kory Marchisotto, e.l.f. Beauty’s chief marketing officer, noted that “e.l.f. UP! has surpassed all expectations, especially among Gen Z.” Launched in November 2023 with eGen and Supersocial, the experience has attracted over 12 million visits. This move marks the first real-world commerce integration by a beauty brand on Roblox, expanding Roblox’s ecommerce capabilities.
Ubisoft CEO Envisions Esports Future for XDefiant
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed high hopes for XDefiant, envisioning it as a serious esport. “Outside of continual updates and optimized gameplay, I’d love to see it as a serious esport,” Guillemot said. He emphasized the importance of the development team’s engagement with players, stating, “We’ve got a fantastic team who are listening to our players and communicating with them, which is crucial.” Guillemot acknowledged the strong start but noted, “There’s still a long way to go, and I’m excited for us to step up to the challenge.”
YouTube Demonetizes Dr. Disrespect Amid Allegations
Guy “DrDisrespect” Beahm faces further fallout as YouTube reportedly suspends monetization on his 4.7 million-subscriber channel, citing violations of their Creator Responsibility policy, and removes him from the YouTube Partner Program amid serious allegations. The allegations, reported by a former Twitch trust and safety team member, claim Beahm was banned for sending inappropriate messages to a minor, which he denies. Following his permanent Twitch ban in 2020 and a legal settlement in 2022, Beahm has seen multiple partners withdraw support. Recently, game developer Midnight Society and peripherals firm Turtle Beach also ended their partnerships with him.
Did You Know?
Did you know that playing Tetris can significantly curb cravings for food, sex, and drugs? Recent studies suggest that engaging in this classic puzzle game can reduce the intensity of these cravings. Researchers from Plymouth University and Queensland University of Technology discovered that playing Tetris for just three minutes can diminish cravings by up to 20%.
The key lies in the game's ability to visually distract and occupy the brain's craving mechanisms. Participants in the study reported fewer intrusive thoughts about their cravings, attributing the effect to Tetris's immersive nature. This cognitive engagement interrupts the mental imagery associated with cravings, making them less compelling.
The implications are significant, particularly in addiction treatment and dietary management. Tetris provides a simple, accessible tool for managing cravings, potentially serving as an adjunct to traditional therapeutic methods. This discovery highlights a non-pharmacological intervention approach, showing how a decades-old video game can contribute to modern psychological health strategies.
So next time you feel a craving coming on, consider reaching for your phone or console and fitting a few blocks together.
Quote of the Day
from AFK Gaming https://ift.tt/hpjsdlV
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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