Good Morning. It's Tuesday, August 20. Today, we explore how esports teams are transforming into marketing agencies. Also in the news: IEM Cologne 2024 hits the second-highest viewership for a Counter-Strike 2 event this year, while India’s I&B Ministry reportedly drops its controversial broadcasting bill amid backlash.
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How Esports Teams Are Becoming Marketing Machines
Esports teams have long been seen as competitors, but what if their true role is something else entirely? In our latest feature story, we reveal why esports teams are increasingly functioning as marketing agencies for game developers and tournament organizers. Teams are paying millions to participate in leagues like the LCS and Overwatch League—essentially paying for the privilege to promote the games they play. This inversion of the traditional business model raises serious questions about the health and sustainability of the esports industry.
Our latest feature delves into the emerging trend where teams are being paid to compete, a shift led by the Esports World Cup (EWC) and the Savvy Gaming Group. This approach offers a fresh perspective on the roles of teams, positioning them more like agencies tasked with promoting the games and brands they represent.
However, this model comes with challenges. If teams are seen as marketing agencies, ethical questions about sponsorships and the integrity of competition arise. Our feature explores these complexities, offering insights into the potential future of esports and how teams may need to adapt to thrive in this evolving landscape.
IEM Cologne Over 1M Viewers, Marking CS2’s Second-Highest Peak of 2024
The Grand Final of Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2024 between Team Vitality and Natus Vincere (NAVI) achieved a peak viewership of over 1 million, solidifying its place as the second-most watched Counter-Strike 2 event of the year. Data from Esports Charts, a leading esports viewership analytics firm, showed that 1.05 million viewers tuned in to witness Team Vitality’s 3-1 triumph, second only to the PGL Major Copenhagen in March, which saw a peak of 1.85 million viewers.
IEM Cologne 2024 averaged 277,542 viewers across its duration, accumulating 25.53 million hours watched over 92 hours of airtime. The Grand Final drew the highest numbers, followed by the quarter-final between FaZe Clan and SAW, which peaked at 616,314 viewers, and the semi-final between MOUZ and NAVI, reaching a peak of 605,316.
This year’s IEM Cologne achieved the 12th highest peak viewership in Counter-Strike tournament history since Esports Charts began recording viewership metrics in 2016. Although the peak viewership was significantly higher than IEM Cologne 2023’s 727,415, the average viewership dipped from last year’s 291,747 to 277,542. Nonetheless, the event remains a critical marker of Counter-Strike 2's ongoing popularity and global esports reach.
Quick Bytes
Indian I&B Ministry Drops Broadcasting Bill Amid Public Backlash
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will not introduce a fresh draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, citing that existing regulations suffice, according to the Financial Express. The draft was withdrawn last week after public backlash over proposed licensing for online content creators. Financial Express’ sources confirmed that any outstanding issues will be addressed through the upcoming Digital India Act. The bill had been in development since November 2023, but new I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed reservations about its necessity.
Devcom 2024 Survey: Nearly 90% of Developers Reject Microtransactions in Premium Games
A recent survey at Devcom 2024 in Cologne revealed that nearly 90% of developers believe premium games do not need microtransactions. Out of 100 developers surveyed, 89% stated that AAA games can be financially successful through a buy-to-play model. Additionally, 65% supported a premium model for both physical and digital games. Only one respondent endorsed free-to-play with ads as the industry's best direction. The survey also highlighted developers' concerns about market saturation (55%) and rising development costs (46%), with 57% predicting continued layoffs in the industry over the next 12 months.
Legendary Announces New King Kong Game for PS5
Legendary Entertainment has announced Kong: Survivor Instinct, a new 2.5D action-adventure game set to release later this year for PS5. Developed by Kraków-based studio 7Levels, the game is part of a triple-game launch based on Legendary's Monsterverse, including Godzilla x Kong: Titan Chasers for mobile and Monsterverse Supersocial Roblox Experience. While no trailer is available for Kong: Survivor Instinct, the announcement follows the disastrous reception of 2023's Skull Island: Rise of Kong, which scored a 23 on Metacritic.
Borderlands Movie Hits Streaming Services Just 21 Days After Disastrous Box Office Debut
The Borderlands movie, despite its star-studded cast and years of development, has been declared a major flop. With a dismal 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and dire global box office receipts of just $16 million against a $145 million production and marketing budget, the movie's fate seems sealed. Backers are reportedly cutting their losses, pushing for an early digital release on August 30, only 21 days after its premiere. Streaming availability is expected for platforms like Prime Video, not Netflix. Despite a slightly better audience rating of 53%, the film is likely to incur a loss exceeding $100 million.
Did You Know
In an extraordinary feat of gaming dedication, Saudi Arabia’s Ibrahim Al-Nasser set a Guinness World Record by hooking up 444 different gaming consoles to a single TV. Tired of seeing his vast collection gather dust, Al-Nasser utilized over a dozen HDMI switchers and more than 30 RCA switchers to ensure every console—ranging from classics to rare finds like the Super A'Can—was instantly accessible.
This remarkable setup even included less traditional devices like plug-and-play consoles, mini re-releases, and even gaming computers. Al-Nasser's meticulous effort involved keeping everything well-organized, turning his collection into a functional gaming museum.
Quote of the Day
from AFK Gaming https://ift.tt/PpZw9Yc
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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