eSports
GosuGamers acquired by esports entrepreneur and partners with GRID
GosuGamers has been acquired by esports entrepreneur Samson Oh and partnered with GRID, the leading platform and provider of data to esports, and its founder Moritz Maurer, signalling a new era for the global esports media outlet.
GosuGamers has been a staple of the esports scene since its founding in 2002, and the acquisition looks to breathe new life into the brand by enhancing its editorial team while recruiting new marketing, operations, tech and product specialists from all over the world.
With the acquisition, Moritz Maurer, the founder of GRID and one of the most well-recognised entrepreneurs is backing the new vision, which will see an integrated partnership with GRID, the leading platform & provider of official data solutions in esports.
With GRID on board as the official technology partner, the esports data solutions provider will incorporate its own proprietary technology to the GosuGamers platform, including a Live Stats feature which has been designed to redefine tournament viewing experience, featuring real-time data and match predictions to keep fans up to speed in one centralised esports hub.
The new-look media outlet will be headed up by Samson Oh, a renowned entrepreneur with years of experience working within the esports and gaming industry, including at Team Flash, MOT Games and Cargo Studio. Under Samson, GosuGamers will refocus on expanding its reach beyond Asia to become a truly global media outlet, while his experience in nurturing young and aspiring talents will see the GosuGamers brand make strides in creating content that is accessible and speaks to a range of esports and gaming cultures.
Freddy Tan, the former Chief Editor at IGN for Southeast Asia joins as Head of Creative to help develop GosuGamers’ global and localised content. The business has also added a breadth of talent from the sports industry. Esther Quek, a former NBA sports marketing trailblazer joins as Head of Marketing to develop the profile of the brand and its partnerships, while Wei Khim Cheah, a highly experienced media and broadcast expert having held senior positions at ESPN and Globecast, will support as an advisor.
Now backed by a host of industry veterans, GosuGamers is now steadily expanding its profile in global esports with a growing list of editors based around the world creating localised content across Europe, North America and Southeast Asia building the outlet’s presence to a reach of more than ten million unique users.
In the few short months under the new leadership, GosuGamers has recruited from all over the world from Europe, US, and Asia, while a new platform is currently being developed. The media outlet has also started the Unmuted podcast, a show that takes a deep dive into the world of esports with all the biggest news and trends, while more weekly shows and editorial series are being planned.
Samson Oh, CEO at GosuGamers, commented: “The takeover is a game-changer for GosuGamers, which has won the hearts of esports enthusiasts since its founding. Now, with GRID on board, we can continue providing fans with a hub of entertaining, creative and cutting-edge reporting, while being a positive force for the industry by championing innovative data integration that will fuel a more transparent and informative culture within esports and journalism.”
Moritz Maurer, CEO and founder of GRID added: “GosuGamers was the definitive source of news when I got into esports and the opportunity to build on that great legacy with such amazing partners is both humbling and exciting.”
Founded as a hub for esports enthusiasts in 2002, the takeover will only strengthen its ties with the passionate community around GosuGamers, which has agreed several partnerships with tournaments over the next year.
The esports media outlet will also be teaming up with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang developer MOONTON Games in a new partnership that will give unrivalled access into the Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) Philippines esports circuit for its eighth season, with room to expand the partnership into other territories, including Indonesia and Brazil, in the future.
Matt Jaron, Head of Business Development, MOONTON Games added: “GosuGamers has fostered a passionate gaming community over the years. We want to strengthen that relationship and build stronger ties with GosuGamers and nurture the growth of the esports ecosystem through this partnership.”
Angela Bernhard Thomas
CAPCOM’S STREET FIGHTERTM 6 GOING TO COLLEGE THIS FALL
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- College conference Street Fighter 6 champions will punch their ticket to the national Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) & May Madness in 2025
eSports
R&D rethink needed for sportsbooks to harness esports’ power
Esports betting is still grappling with a perception problem amongst operators. Despite the leaps and bounds in product development made by suppliers – particularly in the last two years – esports hasn’t shaken off the image built in the late 2010s.
Our good friend, Oliver Niner, Head of Sales at PandaScore, has been kind to share the below article with us.
There’s scepticism around esports betting’s value, how well it can actually perform and what’s needed to make it appeal to bettors. A big part of that comes down to perception, which shapes the research and development (R&D) choices made by each operator.
Self-fulfilling prophecy?
Operators who have put the research and development (R&D) resources into esports are seeing excellent growth, while others are still treating it like part of a long tail. The lack of a uniform approach to esports often translates into hesitancy to be bullish and invest in esports.
Whereas in the United States, post-PASPA sports betting has exploded and operators are seeking to capture as much territory and market share as possible because in most cases, you switch the lights on and the money comes in. It’s, of course, good business sense to take opportunities like this – you can apply the same templates used elsewhere on an incredibly lucrative market.
This kind of approach has been attempted for esports and hasn’t found the same success. Granted, the legislation for betting on esports has been somewhat slower than that of sports betting and iGaming.
However, bullish operators have acknowledged the fact that esports hasn’t found the same success in regulated states and asked what can be done differently, while for others, esports has been thrown into the too-hard basket or relegated to the bargain bucket.
For the latter, the fate of the esports vertical becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy – especially if an operator already using a budget esports product that throttles its very growth.
It takes two to tango
When esports is discussed in broader betting circles, you’ll often hear different versions of the same talking point: the problem with esports is no one is doing it well, it doesn’t innovate.
This argument is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Esports is a driver of innovation, and it is sportsbook R&D that is holding it back.
Multiple suppliers on the market are investing significant resources into R&D, and bullish operators are leveraging these product innovations to acquire new customers and create engagements made for the internet age.
There are understandable reasons why sports betting doesn’t innovate. It’s largely because operators focus on acquisition, entering new territories and spending money on data rights. But the actual R&D on sportsbook products is left lacking, with ever-increasing cost-per-acquisition (CPA) numbers a clear symptom of this.
It means that if an operator does decide to use or acquire an esports specialist supplier but does little to cater its product and attempts to just lay the sports betting template over the top, of course performance will be throttled.
It’s like putting a Ferrari engine in a Prius – no offence to Toyota or Prius owners.
The same problem exists on the platform supplier front. Platforms are understandably focused on compliance and getting customers live, not necessarily improving models or their products.
Even the idea that if you just acquire an innovative company the problem is solved or you have found the solution, doesn’t hold water. In many cases, the company is acquired and plenty of noise is made about it, but there’s little organisational investment in R&D afterwards.
It’s not just in esports
These problems extend to customer acquisition and marketing for most emerging markets, not just esports. There’s a rush to use the same old playbook in newer sectors because it’s easy.
The fantasy vs. house sector in the US is already experiencing an acquisition arms race. As analyst Dustin Gouker points out, deposit match bonuses for new users on fantasy vs house products have jumped from $100 to as high as $500 in some places.
This is the same race that played out in sports betting and despite the costs, there’s little effort from most operators to try something different. There’s less work when you just put the same acquisition template on an emerging sector and call it a day. This seems to be an accepted practice in the industry, for better or for worse.
Esports betting success requires ongoing dialogue
Rather than attempting to wedge esports into hegemonic sportsbook approaches, sportsbooks need to take a completely unique approach.
The fact is the betting sector has barely scratched the surface – communities of esports fans are still dormant. Canadian operator Rivalry has built a successful, esports-first business by embracing the ever-changing internet culture that esports inhabits. French esports organisation Karmine Corp recently sold out a 30,000-person stadium for an event with no prize money up for grabs.
Innovative products developed on the supplier side like microbetting and betbuilders are only half of the equation.
Maximising esports revenues requires institutional investment, ongoing R&D and collaboration between suppliers and operators to create products and experiences. This includes having staff on the operator side that can drive and push the product further, and crucially, rethinking current sportsbook strategies and practices.
Building experiences for betting’s greatest emerging market – one that caters to your future core audience – takes investment, innovation and a willingness to experiment. If the industry wants to make the most of the Millennial and Gen Z audience that will become its primary customers, investment into R&D and close collaboration between suppliers and operators is needed. Many hands makes light work.
eSports
ESIC Announces Establishment of Global Esports Industry Advisory Board
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Global Esports Industry Advisory Board, designed to enhance integrity and ethical practices across the esports landscape. The Advisory Board will serve a pivotal role by providing expert advice to ESIC’s Chief Executive Officer on a range of critical industry issues.
The primary function of the Advisory Board is to create a robust framework for integrity and fairness, setting a global benchmark for ethical conduct and fair competition in esports. The board will offer strategic insights, help shape policies governing fair play, liaise with key industry stakeholders, and act as ambassadors advocating for ethical practices.
ESIC has appointed two highly esteemed members to inaugurate this board:
- David Neichel, Senior Vice President of Public & International Affairs at ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), joins the Advisory Board with over fifteen years of experience in the video games industry, including significant roles at Activision-Blizzard and Electronic Arts. David’s profound impact on international and public affairs initiatives makes him an invaluable addition to the board.
- Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, also joins the Advisory Board, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles at Google and Disney, along with his leadership through major acquisitions. Robbie is celebrated for his strategic leadership and his instrumental role in elevating esports to a significant global entertainment platform.
The formation of the Advisory Board is an engagement that underscores the commitment of its members to upholding and promoting the highest standards of integrity within the esports industry. The board will meet as required to address strategic challenges and ensure that ESIC’s initiatives effectively meet current and future industry needs.
“Both David and Robbie bring a remarkable depth of knowledge and a passion for advancing the integrity of esports,” said Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC. “Their expertise will be crucial as we navigate the evolving landscape of esports and strive to maintain the integrity that our community expects and deserves.”
Robbie Douek, CEO at BLAST, said: “I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to support the Global Esports Industry Advisory Board and ESIC in their ambition to create the best and fairest environment possible for players, teams and fans.”
David Neichel, Senior Vice President of Public & International Affairs at ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) also commented: “It is a true honour to join the Global Esports Industry Advisory Board and support ESIC’s successful journey. Fairplay and integrity are at the core of esports. We owe it to the players and to the fans and for a better endemic industry governance”
The post ESIC Announces Establishment of Global Esports Industry Advisory Board appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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