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Final Countdown to IEM Katowice 2023 – everything fans need to know

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With two more days to go before the Hall of Heroes opens its gates for fans to experience the legendary atmosphere of the Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2023 live, the tournament is entering its most crucial point. Over the last week, 24 of the best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) teams from around the globe participated in a heated competition with only the top six progressing to the final stage. With the CS:GO teams finetuning their skills before their next battles, 36 of the world’s best StarCraft® II players now take the center stage. Over the next days, they will play against each other to claim the ESL Pro Tour Championship title.

Meanwhile, thousands of fans get ready to cheer on their CS:GO favorites in the sold-out Spodek Arena and their StarCraft® II idols in the International Congress Center (MCK), in Katowice, Poland. Moreover, they can look forward to the return of the free-to-enter IEM Expo, as the MCK will host one of the biggest trade shows in the region, the EFG Esports Forum, live ESL Impact and ESL R1 tournaments, and more.

ESL Pro Tour for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Championship

Yesterday, the Group Stage came to an end, and now the top six teams are making their way towards the final weekend. The competition proved that the best players in the world brought their A-game to Katowice, and the past week resulted in some big surprises.

To begin with, IEM Katowice 2022 title holders, FaZe Clan, will not be defending their title this year. In their last game of the Group Stage, the international squad faced Team Liquid, with the latter winning the match 2-1.

In the quarterfinals of the competition, Team Liquid will be joined by the IEM Rio 2022 Major Champion, Outsiders, and the ESL Pro League Season 16 winner, Team Vitality. The last spot was decided in a hit match between legendary snipers in Natus Vincere vs. G2 Esports, where the latter took a confident victory. While Natus Vincere proceeds to the quarterfinals starting on Friday, February 10, at 3:30 PM CET, G2 Esports joins team Heroic directly in the semi-finals. This penultimate phase will  commence Saturday, February 11, at 3:30 PM CET.

With only two days left before history will be made, the top six competitors are now getting ready to show their world-class performances in the final stage of the ESL Pro Tour for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Championship and fight for the major share in the $1,000,000 prize pool.

For more information and a full overview of the participating teams, the talent lineup, and more, head to the official website and follow ESL CS on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Furthermore, make sure to tune in during the live broadcasts on the ESL CS channels on Twitch or YouTube, or via our dedicated broadcast partners.

ESL Pro Tour for StarCraft® II Championship

Today the Zealots, Marines and Zerglings are facing off under their commander’s supervision. 36 of the best StarCraft® II players in the world are competing in a grand tournament, fighting for the World Championship title and a total prize pool of $500,000. From February 10, the competition moves to a dedicated stage at the IEM Expo in the MCK as the contenders continue their extragalactic battle live on stage.

Head to the official website, and follow ESL SC2 on Twitter and Facebook, for additional details about the IEM Katowice 2023 StarCraft® II Championship, the full lineup of contenders, and more. The live transmissions of the competition will be available on the ESL SC2 channels on Twitch, Youtube and via our dedicated broadcast partners.

The return of the IEM Expo

For the first time in over three years, IEM Katowice returns in full glory along with the IEM Expo, filled with major highlights. Besides the StarCraft® II Championship and many other activities, this year’s IEM Expo features two additional esports competitions:

  • This year marks the beginning of a new chapter for virtual racing fans. With a total prize pool of $500,000 for 2023, ESL R1 kicks off at IEM Katowice 2023 on February 11-12. This brand-new championship, co-created with RENNSPORT, will see 48 drivers from 12 teams compete in eight rounds in order to qualify for the ESL R1 Major. Make sure to check out the first two rounds of the 2023 Spring season which will be played out live at the IEM Expo.
  • Starting its second year, the all-women CS:GO circuit, ESL Impact, makes its debut in Poland as eight of the best women CS:GO teams from around the world face each other in a standalone live event. Cheered on by their fans, the participating teams will fight for a prize pool of $100,000.

IEM Expo visitors also have the opportunity to check out the ESL Pro Tour for CS:GO Championship live in a dedicated area inside the Spodek Arena. Note that space is limited and that the entrance policy happens on a first come first serve basis.

The IEM Expo, however, is not only about esports – it is a shared celebration of passion, where fans of new technologies, gaming and pop-culture get to meet and create unforgettable memories. To support this, the free-of-charge event will host a renowned trade show where some of the largest brands from around the world will be present. Exhibitors have prepared numerous activities including free2play zones and competitions from brands such as Intel®, Komputronik Gaming, Monster Energy, Samsung, Microsoft, HyperX, Hewlett-Packard and more. Visitors can look forward to some of the newest titles in gaming, taking part in numerous tournaments and competitions and joining meet and greet sessions with influencers. Among the exhibitors are:

  • The ESL LAN Party will host a set of activities form the zone’s partners including a chillout zone with view on StarCraft II stage, numerous hardware partners and a central zone including IEM Katowice’s first-ever Cosplay Competition led by Shappi Workshop.
  • Lenovo Legion will create an experience benefiting from all aspects of the event as visitors have the opportunity to play and compete in some of the biggest competitive game titles, participate in product demonstrations by Polish tech influencers, and enjoy a spectacular concert of one of the most popular Polish rappers of the new generation – Smolasty – on February 10 from 5PM until 6PM.
  • Nintendo’s distributor ConQuest entertainment has prepared a booth for you to have tons of fun with your Nintendo Switch console! Whether you are fighting a battle of colors in Splatoon 3, scoring points in Mario Strikers: Battle League Football, or trying out an array of sports in Nintendo Switch Sports,  plenty of fun is guaranteed.
  • RENNSPORT will bring two virtual racing rigs where you have the opportunity to drive in the future of virtual racing and to experience for yourself the game that the ESL R1 drivers are racing in.

Furthermore, IEM Katowice is creating an opportunity to celebrate, experience and learn. To emphasize this, the EFG Esports Forum features representatives of the esports and gaming industries, business partners, and opinions leaders who will discuss the future of the industry during two conference days:

  • Friday, February 10 – “Esports Elevated. Trends and perspectives” –  The first part of the forum is open for everyone interested in the esports industry, its business, and its future.
  • Saturday, February 11 – “Video games and esports: an opportunity for Europe’s digital future. The example of Poland” – This second part focuses on the relationship between the esports industry and the economy – nationwide and local.

The beginning of the CS:GO tournament marks the 11th time ESL is returning to the Polish city of Katowice. The event marks the pinnacle of competition, emotions, and rivalry, while celebrating shared passion. Make sure to be part of this historic moment by joining us on-site in Katowice, tuning in during the live transmissions of the esports competitions, and following all events on the official EFG’s social media channels.

For more general information, make sure to follow ESL FACEIT Group and ESL on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Current Games Activates the Nitro on Neon-Soaked Arcade Combat Racer: Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights

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Current Games, a new name in indie publishing, based in the Netherlands, announced that it has assumed publishing rights for Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights, a heart-stopping, breakneck combat racing game, soaked in a neon lit future where speed and survival are the only routes to success!

A thrilling arcade style experience, Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights was first launched in Early Access on Steam in 2024, building a loyal community of dedicated fans passionate in seeing the game succeed. Current Games have heard the call and have spent a considerable amount of time diligently working under the hood, implementing a host of game-changing upgrades, delivering a fully revamped, nitro-powered experience, worthy of the Hot Import Nights (HIN) brand.

With the major update due to go live on July 24th 2025, speed demons are in for the ride of their lives as Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights power-ups on Steam, as well as launching on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and Epic Games® Store!

Make no mistake, this is no mere tweak, from July 24th, a whole host of surprises await fans of the game and newcomers alike. Some of the changes include:

  • An all-new sprawling racing track to discover and master
  • More cars mean more fun! Discover your favourite vehicles and race like your life depends on it!
  • Major balancing changes based on extensive community feedback
  • A new single player career mode with championship races
  • Overall improvements to the game’s experience and stability

In taking over publishing for Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights Current Games is keen to emphasise their commitment to engaging with and supporting the community. Planned initiatives arriving soon include the reactivation of the games’ Reddit account, a new Discord server and a planned playtest scheduled for pre-launch.

In Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights, street legends are built after dark, as gamers brave enough to face the neon-soaked streets of the future, race, fight, and ultimately conquer with up to eight players competing head-to-head in a fight to survive and pass the winning line alive.

Each chariot in Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights is equipped with an arsenal of outlandish offensive and defensive weapons, enabling players to outmanoeuvre and outgun their opponents as they speed towards victory. Choose from a diverse range of customizable vehicles across three weight classes, each with distinct advantages. Lightweight vehicles boast speed but sacrifice defence, while heavyweight vehicles offer greater protection at the cost of agility. Weapons can be charged through pickups or by executing perfect drifts, adding a strategic layer to the high-speed action.

Accessible yet challenging, easy to play, impossible to put down, ruthlessly hard to master and never anything less than exhilarating, Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights is racing like you’ve never experienced before!

Roderick Roode, CEO of Current Games commented on the major upgrade and console release of Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights, “We are honoured to assume publishing rights for Cyber Clutch and determined to give this high-impact combat racing experience the love, attention and polish it deserves. Cyber Clutch has attracted a loyal audience in the year since launch, but we know the game is destined for even bigger things, and we’re thrilled to finally deliver a fully levelled-up experience, which we’re convinced will delight combat racing fans. In addition, we’re excited to bring the full Cyber Clutch experience to more gamers than ever, releasing on PlayStation, Xbox and the Epic Game Store, and cannot wait to see players assume their position on the starting grid later this month.”

The post Current Games Activates the Nitro on Neon-Soaked Arcade Combat Racer: Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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German Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär to open gamescom 2025

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Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär will take part in the official opening of gamescom on 20 August. This was announced today by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association. The minister responsible for computer and video games in the German government will give a welcoming address at the opening of the world’s largest games event. Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, has also already been confirmed for the opening. During a tour of gamescom, they and other political guests of honour will gain an impression of the latest developments and trends in the games industry.

gamescom is the world’s largest and leading event for computer and video games. It brings together the international gaming community and entire games industry in a unique way, both in person in Cologne and digitally. gamescom 2025 will take place from August 20 to 24. The event will kick off on August 19, 2025 with gamescom Opening Night Live. gamescom is jointly organized by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association.

The post German Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär to open gamescom 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Global release of Trophy Hunter – test your skills in the next evolution of hunting games

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On July 3, 2025, Trophy Hunter – the latest game developed by the Ten Square Games team – launched globally across major markets. With this title, the company expands its presence in the fast-growing hunting game segment, where it already has solid experience. Trophy Hunter is the third Ten Square Games project in this genre – this time designed as a skill-based game, offering an accessible yet competitive experience for a broad player base.

“- Ten Square Games was one of the pioneers in the mobile hunting games segment. Since the release of Hunting Clash, the market has grown significantly, and players’ expectations have evolved. Trophy Hunter is our response to those changes – a skill based game that emphasizes fast-paced gameplay, reflexes, and strategic decision-making. We’re building on a world we know well, but offering a new style of play that opens up fresh growth opportunities,” says Jakub Noganowicz, Product Owner of Hunting Clash and Trophy Hunter.

About Trophy Hunter

Trophy Hunter is a hunting game designed for players who enjoy quick, dynamic gameplay and competitive PvP action. Its core mode features three-round duels where precision, reaction time, and decision-making under pressure matter most – rather than exploration or resource management. Players can upgrade their personal base (Hunter’s Lodge), customize weapons, and compete in a structured league system.

“- The launch of Trophy Hunter is a test for both an alternative gameplay model and a more hybrid approach to monetization. We see this moment as the conclusion of the game’s first development phase. Now begins the most important stage – one driven by player feedback. The success of the project will depend not only on how the game is received but also on our ability to scale the title and consistently grow its player base,” says Andrzej Ilczuk, CEO of Ten Square Games.

Trophy Hunter follows a free-to-play model with microtransactions that let players upgrade weapons and ammo. It also features rewarded video ads**, allowing revenue generation from non-paying users. Thanks to hybrid monetization and a lower entry threshold, Trophy Hunter is aimed at a broader audience. Its lower cost per acquisition offsets the lower ARPU* compared to other Ten Square Games titles. The hybrid business model allows room for scalable growth and expanding the game’s reach.

From prototype to global release

Development on Trophy Hunter began in Q1 2024. In the final production phase, the core development team included 10 directly involved contributors.

In late June 2025, as part of pre-launch preparations, Ten Square Games removed the test version of the app from Google Play and the App Store, replacing it with the final version and opening preregistration. Over 500,000 players only on Google platform used the opportunity to ensure the fastest possible access to the game on global launch day. Those who preregistered received an exclusive in-game reward – a replica of the Beretta BRX1 rifle and 10 rounds of special ammunition. This was made possible thanks to Ten Square Games’ collaboration with the globally recognized Beretta brand, originally established for Hunting Clash.

What’s next

At launch, the game includes 9 playable arenas. The release marks the beginning of a new development chapter for Trophy Hunter. The roadmap includes progressive content expansion and ongoing testing of the game’s global scalability. If this proves successful, future updates will bring more arenas, new gameplay modes, a LiveOps system, Battle Pass, and additional features to boost player engagement and expand challenge variety.

* ARPU – average revenue per user
** Rewarded video – an ad format where players voluntarily watch a video ad in exchange for an in-game reward.

The post Global release of Trophy Hunter – test your skills in the next evolution of hunting games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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