LEC Finals Roadshow Coming to Munich in 2024
This and other exciting stories from The Esports Advocate and its contributors this week.
I don’t want summer to end, but I can do without the 80 - 90 degree weather in September. It was tough concentrating this week, if I am being honest, because of the weather, the heat, the increasing number of pesky bugs, and the rain—that seemingly, never-ending rain. It’s just weird weather for New England this time of year is all i’m saying…
On another note, be sure to watch the LEC finals this weekend if you want something to do. I am sure Riot would appreciate the viewership on Twitch, or YouTube, or wherever you plan on watching it. It is being broadcast in 15 languages, so you can find out more info on where you can watch in your preferred first language.
Anyway, on to the news - James Fudge
📰 Top Stories 📰
2024 LEC Finals Roadshow Set for Munich
Even as top European esports teams such as G2 Esports, Fnatic, and MAD Lions take to the stage in the Sud de France Arena in Montpelier, France, to battle it out to crown the 2023 LEC champion this weekend, Riot Games announced that the 2024 LEC Season Finals roadshow will be held in Munich, Germany.
“Germany is such an important part of EMEA League of Legends history as the home of the EU LCS and LEC,” said Alberto Guerrero, Head of Esports EMEA at Riot Games in a release Saturday. “The city of Munich showed that they’ve got what it takes to match our ambitions for the 2024 LEC Season Finals, and have consistently impressed us with their commitment and vision to the gaming and esports industry throughout the host city vetting process.”
Clemens Baumgärtner, head of the Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich, added: "We are proud that this high-profile Esports event will take place in Munich. The professional setting of the event will have a positive impact on Munich's image as a sought-after high-tech hub in Europe. Young, emerging technology companies located here will benefit from the international spotlight on Munich. With its huge promotional value, it will certainly be a gain for the city from a tourism perspective too as it creates a strong incentive for travelers to visit Munich."
Riot didn’t offer much more information than that at press time. Further details about Riot’s plans in Munich in 2024 will be revealed at a later date, according to a release.
eFuse Postpones Creators League, Announces Layoffs
It was a tough week for Ohio-based company eFuse. At the end of last week it announced the Creators League, a competition series that would feature high-profile content creators including members of the OTK Network, Optic Gaming, and many others—the announcement was supported by popular YouTube content creator MrBeast at launch.
Following that announcement, it was revealed that the company was using a grant from the NEAR Foundation to build a blockchain-based, web3 marketplace and platform (eFuse says this isn’t the case). Some claimed that the company was using NFTs via a $20 USD pass.
Some content creators later claimed that they were not informed about the crypto components of the initiative when they signed deals with the company including OTK co-founder TipsOut and content creator CDawgVA—a contention that has not currently been confirmed, as of this writing.
Ultimately this led to eFuse announcing that it had laid off approximately 30 employees and postponed the league for an undetermined amount of time. The company issued a statement earlier in the week, which you can read in its entirety on The Esports Advocate.
Nicolas Estrup Exits BLAST to Join ESL FACEIT Group
Nicolas Estrup, who has spent more than six years in various roles as tournament organizer BLAST, has jumped ship to rival tournament organizer ESL FACEIT Group.
"A few weeks ago today I made the tough decision to hand in my resignation at BLAST, as I’ve accepted the position of VP Product Development at ESL FACEIT Group - EFG, a role where I’m excited to assist in building what the future of entertainment looks like in esports and beyond," Estrup wrote in a social media post announcing the news this week.
Estrup joined BLAST in 2016 as director of content. Over the years he served in a number of leadership roles including director of product & experience, VP of product, and most recently, chief innovation officer.
So Long, Donald Mustard
Longtime Epic Games executive Donald Mustard announced Friday that he will retire from his position as chief creative officer at the company. Mustard has been an integral voice and influence at Epic Games during his time there; he joined the company in 2008 when ChAIR Entertainment—the company he co-founded with Geremy Mustard in 2005—was acquired by Epic Games. While at ChAIR, Mustard helped develop games such as Shadow Complex, Advent Rising, Undertow, and the mobile RPG series Infinity Blade. But younger fans probably know Mustard as the guy at Epic that helped create and grow the company’s biggest game to-date: Fortnite.
Sources: Free Fire Saved Galaxy Racer India
Sources told TEA this week that Galaxy Racer was planning to lay off the seven employees at its offices in India, but Garena’s announcement that it would bring the popular mobile battle royale game Free Fire back this month gave them a reprieve.
The company told employees that it would give them an additional six months to see if they could generate revenue from content and competitions related to the game.
Free Fire was huge before it was banned by the India government in early 2022. We have more on this story here. Also, employees who had been waiting for three months to get some $$$ were paid this week, according to sources.
🚌 People on the Move 🚌
Here is a selection of moves in the esports and gaming industries this week.
Ryan Melin joins UNRL as its new marketing coordinator. He previously worked at Version1/Minnesota ROKKR.
Chantal-Denise Ortega accepted a (contract) role as an independent account executive at Esports Illustrated.
Savannah Davis joins OpTic Gaming as the new manager of partnership activation.
Grant Flannery joins Rivalry as global head of marketing.
Chloe Wong starts a new position as social media coordinator at FlyQuest.
José Colón becomes a social media ambassador (contract) at Fusion Esports.
Kathryn De Shields-Moon has been promoted to senior public relations manager at Schell Games.
✍ In Other News ✍
CONFIRMED: As reported by Kevin Hitt/SBJ in June, the London Royal Ravens are moving to Charlotte, NC, and will be rebranded as the Carolina Royal Ravens.
Sources: Overwatch League talking to third-party tournament organizers about 2024.
The International Olympic Committee launches an esports commission…
Sources: G2 Esports is buying up the contracts of former Valorant Ascension players of The Guard and will try to secure a slot in the tier-2 Riot league.
LGD Gaming ends partnership with Paris Saint-Germain.
Enthusiast promotes the Netflix ONE PIECE series in Fortnite.
BLAST renews its partnership with Shikenso Analytics.
The Arena Group launches the Arena Creator Network.
EXCEL Esports partners with Sybr.
Global Esports Federation inks 10-year deal with Azerbaijan Esports Federation…
The International Esports Federation (IESF) World Championship will be held in Riyadh in 2024.