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Heinz Maps Out “Hidden Spots” In Call of Duty®: WarzoneTM Pacific’s New Caldera Map to Highlight Snack-Safe Zones For Players

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Hungry in the middle of the Warzone? Heinz has a solution. Gamers know that eating while playing games is one big hurdle, even more so on a map that has just released.

In fact, gamers spend roughly eight hours and 27 minutes each week playing games – so when it comes to Call of Duty, one of the world’s biggest video game franchises, it’s nearly impossible to take a snack break during gameplay.

To help gamers find more magic in mealtime while playing their favorite video game, Heinz, the World’s #1 Ketchup brand, teamed up with Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific to identify hidden spots in its latest map Caldera to safely enjoy a well-deserved break and eat a delicious burger with Heinz in real life.

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Fans and gamers can tune into Twitch and YouTube this weekend (Friday 17th – Sunday 19th December) to watch top Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific streamers reveal Heinz Hidden Spots in-game and enjoy a burger break as they explore the new map.

“80% of gamers eat and drink while playing, but it’s much harder to do this in multiplayer online games like Call of Duty, where an ill-timed break can cost you the match,” says Isabella Rizzo, VP of Marketing at Kraft Heinz.

“Heinz brings the magic to mealtime, whether you’re sitting around the dinner table or enjoying a quick bite mid-game, and now we’re helping Call of Duty gamers safely recharge with a burger break in one of the new points of interest on Caldera. Here at Heinz, we say just eat. No Defeat.”

Top streamers from the UK, US and other brand markets across the globe have joined forces with Call of Duty to map out safe, quiet spots in the new Warzone Pacific Caldera game to ensure that players can take a break to eat a burger and fries without the fear of getting sent to the Gulag.

“The launch of Caldera is a unique opportunity for Call of Duty and Heinz to bring our audiences together in new and exciting ways,” said Tyler Bahl, Vice President and Head of Marketing, Call of Duty.

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“As the community explores and discovers the new map, Heinz is giving them a chance to experience the new Warzone offering in a fun and engaging way.”

With Hidden Spots, Heinz is making its debut with an ever-growing audience of gamers. But instead of just saying something to them, Heinz and independent creative agency GUT São Paulo partnered with Activision to connect with them directly where they are – inside the game.

Since Activision’s Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific’s Caldera map was launching, it was the perfect moment for Heinz to partner with one of the biggest gaming franchises ever to help hungry gamers find where to stop to eat while they played instead of having to hide.

“Heinz is an iconic brand that is used to doing so many incredible things in advertising, so with its debut in gaming, Hidden Spots is yet another way the brand is doing just that,” says Murilo Melo, Executive Creative Director at GUT São Paulo.

“Gamers usually say that campers are cowards for hiding to ambush other players, but with the world’s favorite ketchup brand partnering with the world’s favorite gaming franchise, Heinz is here to help gamers eat in peace as they fight in the warzone. We’re excited for hungry gamers to find these Hidden Spots and hope they’re now able to pass the Heinz without the risk of passing away in the game.”

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With this initiative, Heinz hopes to get closer to the vast gaming community by giving a little help to them around the world and offering a solution to a real issue that many in the community face on a daily basis.

‘Hidden Spots’ is part of the brand’s masterbrand campaign, “It doesn’t matter the time or place,” which also highlights Heinz flavored ketchups, mayonnaise and barbecue sauce.

Call of Duty: Warzone is a free-to-play, free-for-everyone battle royale experience that more than 100 million players around the world have jumped into play. Call of Duty: Warzone is integrated with Call of Duty: Vanguard, Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War, and Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®. Call of Duty and its titles are published by Activision, a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) and developed by studios (in alphabetical order) Activision Shanghai, Beenox, Demonware, High Moon Studios, Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Treyarch and Sledgehammer Games.

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CS2 Intel Extreme

CS2 Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 SuperComputer: NaVi to bounce back after Blast Fall Final loss

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Final: Natus Vincere (36.5%) to beat Team Vitality (28.1%)

Semifinal 1: Natus Vincere (52.6%) to beat MOUZ (16.3%)

Semifinal 2: Team Vitality (47.7%) to beat G2 Esports (18.7%)

Quarterfinal 1: G2 Esports (39.8%) to beat FaZe Clan (32.8%)

Quarterfinal 2: MOUZ (35.9%) to beat Eternal Fire (24.7%)

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Group stage

  1. Natus Vincere – 48.7% to finish 1st; 17.0% to finish 2nd; 84.1% to make playoffs

  2. Team Vitality – 40.8% to finish 1st; 17.4% to finish 2nd; 77.7% to make playoffs

  3. G2 Esports – 19.3% to finish 1st; 20.4% to finish 2nd; 56.7% to make playoffs

  4. MOUZ – 14.5% to finish 1st; 21.8% to finish 2nd; 53.0% to make playoffs

  5. FaZe Clan – 13.9% to finish 1st; 21.0% to finish 2nd; 50.2% to make playoffs

  6. Eternal Flame – 40.7% to finish 1st; 16.2% to finish 2nd; 40.7% to make playoffs

  7. Liquid – 16.3% to finish 7-8th; 35.7% to make playoffs

  8. Virtus.pro – 15.4% to finish 7-8th; 29.9% to make playoffs

  9. Astralis – 28.9% to finish 9-12th; 31.5% to make playoffs

  10. The MongolZ – 32.7% to finish 9-12th; 25.4% to make playoffs

  11. Complexity – 34.3% to finish 9-12th; 21.2% to make playoffs

  12. Heroic – 26.8% to finish 9-12th; 23.5% to make playoffs

  13. paiN – 36.5% to finish 13-16th; 21.0% to make playoffs

  14. FURIA – 36.4% to finish 13-16th; 20.9% to make playoffs

  15. 9z – 44.7% to finish 13-16th; 14.6% to make playoffs

  16. Imperial – 49.1% to finish 13-16th; 13.9% to make playoffs

It has been quite the run for NaVi despite their loss with back to back grand finals in recent weeks but CSDB.gg’s predictive model suggests there will be no let up for the Ukrainian esports organisation.

G2 will also be looking to build more momentum in preparation for Majors season with NiKo on a quest to finally get over the line this year to win his first major title. Hopefully Rio won’t have to see a repeat of his reaction in the semifinals at BLAST Premier Fall Final 2024 where he punched a hole in a table after losing out to Team Vitality in a key moment.

However, the hosts of Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 may want to lockdown any nearby furniture and reinforce their desks if G2 are set for disappointment at the semifinals stage as predicted by the CSDB.gg SuperComputer.

A victory in Rio could be even more consequential for how the end of the year shapes up for the leading teams on the circuit. The Valve Global rankings have both teams close at the very top (NaVi at 1988 and G2 at 1953) meaning a win for either team could hand them a key advantage when it comes to who enters the Majors as top seed. 

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Back-to-back wins in T1 events for G2, should they prosper in Rio, would set the Berlin-based team on an incredible trajectory going into the winter months.

Meanwhile, Brazilian hopes for glory look slight according to the CSDB.gg SuperComputer with FURIA, the team co-owned by Neymar, having only been given a 20.9% chance of even making the playoffs. 

They are the leading contenders to make an impact for the home crowd but there are other teams flying the flag for Brazil with paiN and Imperial also set to give it their best to give local fans something to cheer on.

In terms of forecasted matchups of note, G2 and FaZe Clan could offer up a fascinating encounter in the quarterfinals should both teams qualify, with each organisation rated as having a strong chance of making the semis with little to separate them should they meet.

How was the CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer created?

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The CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer is a predictive model created using world ranking points, team quality ratings and performance trends. An element of randomness is also included in the model to avoid the best teams and players always winning, to reflect the fact that upsets can happen.

Every tournament is simulated 1,000 times with the results aggregated into a percentage rating of the chances teams or players have to achieve the predicted result.

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eSports

Max Verstappen to attend GAMERGY, the world’s largest esports, gaming and entertainment event

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In an exciting announcement for motorsports and gaming fans alike, three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen will be making a special appearance at the GAMERGY event for the exciting Heineken Player 0.0 Global Final in Madrid this December. This immersive entertainment and gaming Experience promises to bring together the worlds of motorsport and gaming, offering fans a unique experience.

GAMERGY, one of the largest global gaming and esports events, will take place in Madrid this December from the 13th-15th, 2024. The 10th edition of the event will host exhilarating activities featuring cutting-edge technology, live competitions, traditional sports activations and phygital interactive experiences that cater to a wide audience.

“In the past few years, we have seen how the traditional sports and gaming ecosystems have come closer together in innovative and immersive ways. At our most recent GAMERGY México edition, we saw our tennis, football, boxing, skateboarding and paddle activations being amongst the most popular gaming fair attractions. We are very excited to partner with Heineken in adding Player 0.0 to the digital fandom,” said Cristina Carranza, Global Head of Sales at GGTech.

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Heineken® Player 0.0 Global Final featuring Max Verstappen
23 finalists from all around the world will be joining us in Madrid for a simulated racing competition with the aim of winning the title of Player 0.0 Global Champion. Expect a high-octane race where the finalists will demonstrate their skills, speed and agility. During the Player 0.0 Global Final, festival goers will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Max Verstappen on stage. This unique experience is expected to draw immense crowds and therefore fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Exclusive Merchandise and Memorabilia
Fans attending the event will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive GAMERGY merchandise. Limited-edition collectibles will be available for purchase. Don’t miss the chance to take home a piece of history!

The post Max Verstappen to attend GAMERGY, the world’s largest esports, gaming and entertainment event appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Asia

Xsolla to Present Global Expansion Solutions at Tokyo Game Show 2024

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Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, will showcase its cutting-edge solutions at Hall 4, Booth #04-C48, during the Tokyo Game Show 2024, which will take place from September 26-27, 2024, at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Tokyo, Japan. Xsolla’s booth will feature live demonstrations of its latest solutions aimed at helping game developers and publishers succeed in expanding to international markets.

During the event, Jin Jeong, Regional Vice President of Xsolla Japan, will deliver a keynote session focusing on the critical role of Xsolla’s Merchant of Record (MoR) solutions in transforming the way game companies handle cross-border transactions, taxes, and regulatory complexities. This session will offer developers and publishers a comprehensive look into how Xsollasimplifies global operations, allowing studios to focus on creating games while Xsolla handles the business side.

In addition to showcasing their MoR solutions, Xsolla will demonstrate how their payment systems and cross-play/cross-pay features enhance global reach for game developers of all sizes and across all platforms. Xsolla will also showcase how they help video game companies integrate with various payment methods worldwide, allowing developers to monetize their games across different regions easily.

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David Stelzer, President of Xsolla, emphasized the significance of this event for the company: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Tokyo Game Show and to present our latest solutions designed to empower game developers and publishers to expand globally. Our mission is to support the gaming industry with the tools they need to thrive in international markets, and we are eager to showcase how Xsolla can make global expansion easier and more effective.”

Attendees are invited to visit Xsolla’s booth to meet with the team of experts, who will be available to provide insights, answer questions, and discuss how their tailored solutions can help game developers and publishers grow their businesses. For those interested in more in-depth discussions, Xsolla also offers one-on-one meetings to explore specific solutions for global market expansion.

The post Xsolla to Present Global Expansion Solutions at Tokyo Game Show 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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