Good Morning. It's Wednesday, August 9. While our feature story is still in the research phase, we bring you a key announcement from Nazara Technologies’ subsidiary, Absolute Sports. The company has declared its intention to acquire all assets of DeltiasGaming.com, a leading US-based gaming and esports content platform. In the meantime, we invite you to revisit our previous analysis of Nazara's Sportskeeda revenue model and economics, if you missed it upon publication.
In addition, we cover the latest collaboration between ESL FACEIT Group and the Esports World Cup, highlighting the potential impacts and opportunities this partnership may bring to the competitive gaming landscape.
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Nazara Subsidiary Expands U.S. Footprint with Deltia's Gaming Acquisition
Absolute Sports, a subsidiary of Nazara Technologies, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of DeltiasGaming.com, a leading U.S.-based gaming and esports content platform. The deal, valued at $900,000 (approximately INR 7.5 crores), will be executed in cash across one or more installments, with the transaction anticipated to close within 45 days.
Absolute Sports, which also oversees Sportskeeda, Pro Football Network, and College Football Network, is leveraging its financial reserves to fund this acquisition as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen its position in the U.S. gaming media market.
DeltiasGaming.com, a platform boasting a dedicated monthly readership of nearly 1.5 million, reported revenues of $575,000 (approximately INR 4.8 crores) for the twelve-month period ending June 2024. The acquisition is a strategic move for Absolute Sports, aiming to enhance its presence in the competitive gaming and esports media landscape by capitalizing on Deltia's established audience and brand reputation.
Ajay Pratap Singh, CEO of Absolute Sports, highlighted the acquisition's significance, stating that the company's various properties will now cater to over 5 million gaming enthusiasts in the U.S. This acquisition underscores Absolute Sports' commitment to expanding its reach and delivering comprehensive gaming content to an ever-growing audience.
ESL FACEIT Group Partners with Esports World Cup Amid Controversy
ESL FACEIT Group has announced a multi-year agreement to become the official operating partner of the Esports World Cup, a multi-title event organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation. The partnership gives ESL FACEIT Group responsibility for tournament operations and broadcast programming, further integrating their platforms with the global esports landscape.
This year, ESL FACEIT Group has been working with the Esports World Cup, helping create a platform designed to showcase the world's top games, players, and clubs. The inaugural event, currently taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, features 22 competitions with a total prize pool of $60 million. ESL FACEIT Group has hosted global qualifiers to select teams for the event and continues to integrate tournament games into its ESL, DreamHack, and FACEIT platforms.
The event has drawn criticism due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record, as the Esports World Cup Foundation is backed by the Saudi government. ESL FACEIT Group’s parent company, Savvy Games Group, is also linked to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Despite the controversy, ESL FACEIT Group has been expanding in the Middle East, recently opening a broadcast hub in Riyadh and securing a deal with the Saudi entertainment project Qiddiya City. Co-CEO Craig Levine described the Esports World Cup as a significant development in global esports, though the partnership highlights ongoing tensions between the esports community and its sponsors.
Quick Bytes
Gaming Rises to Daily Habit for 400 Million in India, Reports Disney Star's Sanjog Gupta
Gaming has become a daily pastime for over 400 million people in India, according to Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Disney Star. "Gaming in India is no longer a niche; it's mainstream," Gupta stated in an interview with Exchange 4 Media, highlighting the role of increased smartphone penetration and affordable internet access in this trend. He emphasizes that gaming has the potential to "drive economic and technological innovation," becoming more than just entertainment. Gupta sees vast opportunities for developers and advertisers to engage with this diverse and dynamic audience, underscoring gaming's transformative impact on India's digital landscape.
Honor of Kings Championship Set for October 2024
The 2024 Honor of Kings Championship is slated for October, marking the pinnacle of the Honor of Kings Global Invitational Series. Sixteen top teams from regions including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Europe will vie for a $1 million prize pool. This event concludes the series, which began with a $15 million commitment to expand Honor of Kings' international esports presence. Key events included the S1 tournament in Turkey and the S2 event in Malaysia. The Championship follows the recent Honor of Kings Invitational Midseason in Riyadh, part of a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup.
Square Enix Reports Drop in Sales in Latest Quarter Despite New Release
Square Enix has reported an 18.4% year-on-year drop in net sales for the latest quarter, despite the high-profile release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This decline is attributed to weaker sales of new games compared to last year, which featured the launches of Final Fantasy 16 and the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters. However, the company remains profitable, citing reduced development and advertising costs. The MMO segment saw increased sales and profits, while mobile games experienced a sales dip but improved profitability through operational expense optimization. The company's ongoing restructuring, which included canceling £112 million in projects and layoffs, aims to enhance competitiveness and profitability.
Five Nights at Freddy’s Celebrates 10 Years with Dead by Daylight Crossover
Five Nights at Freddy’s is marking its 10th anniversary with a crossover with the popular horror game Dead by Daylight, allowing fans to experience FNAF in a multiplayer setting for the first time. Behaviour Interactive, Dead by Daylight's developer, announced the collaboration on X, targeting a summer 2025 release. Details remain scarce, but it is likely that players will be able to play as FNAF’s iconic animatronic killers in the asymmetric horror game. Scott Games had teased a crossover with another gaming franchise, sparking fan speculation, though some were disappointed it wasn’t with Fortnite.
Did You Know
Larian Studios, famed for its success with Baldur's Gate 3, nearly embarked on a journey to create Baldur's Gate 4. After the triumphant release of Baldur's Gate 3, Larian's CEO, Swen Vincke, considered developing a follow-up set in the iconic Dungeons & Dragons universe. According to Vincke, they had a playable version, offering a glimpse of what fans might have loved.
Despite the enthusiasm, the prospect of spending another three years on a sequel did not appeal to the developers. They faced the temptation of an "easy route" by using existing resources and stories to quickly create an expansion or sequel. However, the idea of delving into the same universe for an extended period seemed daunting. Vincke emphasized the importance of pursuing projects that excite the team rather than sticking to a formula for success.
Ultimately, Larian decided to pivot towards fresh, original RPGs, leaving the Baldur's Gate legacy behind. This decision has liberated the developers, fueling excitement for new adventures. With two new RPGs in the pipeline, fans have much to anticipate from Larian's next creative ventures, promising innovative stories outside the realm of Dungeons & Dragons.
Quote of the Day
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Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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