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Good morning! It’s Thursday and this is your early morning Esports and Gaming brief.
Project L, Riot Games’ upcoming fighting game, will be playable at Evo, the largest fighting game tournament in the world, the companies announced. The project codenamed Project L has been years in the making for Riot as the company continues to branch out into other competitive game genres and single-player content through its third-party Riot Forge development program.
Riot’s latest move is designed to capture core players during one of the biggest moments of the year for the fighting game community. Evo, which runs from Friday to Sunday at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, will feature eight fighting game tournaments across some of the genre’s most popular titles, including Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat 11, Tekken 7, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and more.
The Evo Project L demo will feature four playable characters, with Riot already showing off some gameplay ahead of the event. Positive reception could lead to another big splash in a marquee genre for the League of Legends developer, who took a similar approach in creating smash hit VALORANT, which quickly became one of the premier first-person shooter esports in the world.
You can find out more about Project L and the future of live gaming experiences at the Esports & Gaming Business Summit, taking place Oct. 22-24 in Las Vegas. Register here.
GET INVOLVED IN TEMPEST
Like to get involved in this year’s Tempest Esports & Gaming awards? We’re looking for professionals in the esports and gaming industry to join our judge’s panel. Email [email protected] August 9th with a short blurb on why you would be a great judge. Know a company that deserves to be recognized? Submit your entry by visiting our website.
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 COMPETITION AND GAMING NEWS
The VALORANT Champions Tour will bring its Masters event to Shanghai “to celebrate the one-year anniversary of VALORANT in China,” Leo Faria, VALORANT’s Global Head of Esports, announced late last week. Masters tournaments are international competitions featuring top teams from around the world in Riot Games’ VCT regions. While VALORANT only officially launched in China in mid-July, the game has been playable there since 2022 while under review from the Chinese government. Faria has voiced that Riot hopes to make China a VCT region in the coming year and lean on the popularity of Riot ecosystems such as League of Legends to make a splash in the country.
Nintendo is reportedly bringing a new console to market in 2024, with the project scheduled to drop in the second half of the year. According to a report from Video Games Chronicle, Nintendo has provided developer kits to third parties as it prepares its repertoire of playable games for the new console. The console will reportedly have similar portable features to the Nintendo Switch, which leaned into that differentiator and its standout IP such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at launch to shake up the industry. The original Nintendo Switch came out in 2017, and since then competitors such as Sony via an upcoming portable device, Microsoft via its cloud technology, and Steam via its Steam Deck portable have increased competition in the high-quality handheld marketplace. It will be interesting to see what innovations Nintendo brings to the table to compete.
The Madden Championship Series announced details of its 2024 circuit Tuesday, including monthly competitions that will double opportunities to compete in the MCS. The league will feature a $1.7 million prize pool this season and also focus on returning major competitions to LAN settings, including the upcoming Ultimate Kickoff event beginning Aug. 19. The latest installment in the Madden NFL series is scheduled to release Aug. 18.
Action-shooter role-playing game Remnant 2 has become a surprise hit following its July 25 launch, with more than 1 million units sold through the start of August. The game, developed by Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Publishing, is available on the Xbox Series X and S, the PlayStation 5, and PC, and Gearbox said the game has already exceeded expectations commercially. |
 SPONSORSHIP & ACTIVATION
The NBA 2K league has partnered with One Up as the official on-demand partner platform for the competition, the parties announced Tuesday. The multi-year deal will see One Up, a community esports platform, help build competitive experiences for amateur players beginning Sept. 8 with the launch of NBA 2K24. “We want to lower the barrier of entry to esports tournaments,” One Up CEO Brandon Pitts said in a statement. “Our collaboration with 2K has laid the blueprint for helping publishers build game loyalty and community through tournaments that are truly open to all.”
Esports organization Endpoint has joined with eNDX, as eNDX attempts to create a stock market where fans can trade shares in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players. The concept, designed similarly to a traditional stock platform, will allow fans to buy, sell, and trade shares of their favorite players based on performance and popularity. The shares have no real-world implications such as ownership of the players but align with the upward trend in gambling partnerships and oddsmaking in CS:GO – though eNDX is trying to distance itself from that terminology.
ESL FACEIT Group announced plans to use GhostFrame, a broadcast solutions product, for its ongoing IEM Cologne competition as part of a partnership with GhostFrame parent company Appario Global Solutions. GhostFrame is an Emmy-winning service that will bring Chromakey technology and hidden tracking on broadcast cameras as well as additional innovations designed to improve the live experience.
India’s Revenant Esports has partnered with KREO, an electronics brand in the country, as its official peripheral provider. Along with the peripheral support, KREO will be featured on Revenant Esports jerseys. The team is one of the premier esports organizations in India, with a focus on mobile competition in the handheld-dominated gaming landscape of the country. Revenant fields teams in Call of Duty: Mobile and Battlegrounds Mobile India (a PUBG Mobile product under different branding for the country) as well as a PC game in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. |
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STREAMHATCHET
Final Fantasy XVI: Live Streaming Insights
Square Enix released the newest game in the Final Fantasy franchise, FFXVI, over a month ago on June 22nd, with great success.
The game’s shift from traditional RPG strategy elements to a focus on Action/Combat seems to have struck a chord with its fanbase. Across live-streaming platforms in the first 30 days, the game generated 19.4 million hours watched, 95% of that on Twitch alone.
In its first week, the game hit just shy of the top 10 games in live streaming, landing at number 11 with 11.7 million hours watched. Compared to other big releases this year, it was slightly higher than Honkai Star Rail and just a couple million hours watched behind Street Fighter 6’s first-week performance.
Read more Final Fantasy XVI insights at Stream Hatchet’s website.
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| 2023 Esports & Gaming Business Summit
A few announcements…
You can now expect to hear from executives such as Ally’s Beth Woodruff, Nintendo’s Krystyne Escalambre and NBA 2K League’s Christina Granville at 2023 Esports & Gaming Business Summit in Las Vegas, taking place October 22-24. Want to see the full list?
VIEW MORE SPEAKERS HERE |
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YOUGOV LIVING DATA INSIGHTS
Esports fans vs the rest: Differences in live music preferences!
A recent survey revealed that US esports fans have unique musical tastes. Much like the overall audience, live music shows featuring pop music and classic rock are top draws among esports fans (25% each). However, sharp differences emerge in some of the other genres. Heavy metal appeals to 23% of esports fans compared to just 10% of all US adults. R&B resonates with around 22% of gamers but only 14% of the wider audience. EDM and Techno have a much more massive following among esports fans, with about 18% preference, contrasting with 5% among US adults.
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 TEAMS
OpTic Texas has revealed its Call of Duty roster for the upcoming Call of Duty League season. Following the departure of Daniel “Ghosty” Rothe and Cuyler “Huke” Garland in late June, OpTic announced the addition of former LA Thieves player Kenneth “Kenny” Williams and Seattle Surge standout Amer “Pred” Zulbeari. Kenny won a CDL Champs title with the Thieves in 2022 and was the MVP of that event, while Pred, an Australia native, bears the honor of being the first player from Asia-Pacific and China to win a CDL Major with his MVP performance during Major 3 in 2022.
Japanese esports org DetonatioN FocusMe is taking a unique approach to improving its VALORANT squad by hosting open tryouts following an 0-11 season. The VALORANT Champions Tour Pacific participants are open to international players, but roster restrictions from organizer Riot Games require four of the five starters for a team to be from its home country. Potential recruits will also need to secure South Korean visas to participate in VCT Pacific competition, as the LAN-only league takes place in that country. |
 INDUSTRY
Gaming nonprofit Feminist Frequency is shutting down after 15 years, founder ??Anita Sarkeesian announced, with its Games and Online Harassment Hotline closing in September of this year. Sarkeesian built Feminist Frequency to provide a resource and additional perspective in the male-dominated games industry as well as resources for women-identifying persons who frequently deal with harassment and verbal abuse in gaming communities. Sarkeesian cited burnout as her rationale for winding things down but credited the Feminist Frequency team for its very real impact on the video game industry. “The work we’ve done to effect change in the industry made a difference, and all of us at Feminist Frequency and the Games and Online Harassment Hotline are hopeful to see improvements continue to be made,” she said in a statement. “But the time has come to close this chapter and rest before starting the next phase of my professional life.”
China’s number of gamers is bouncing back following the country’s legislative efforts to curb gaming addiction and limit playtime. Laws instituted in 2021 prohibit children under 18 from playing games for more than three hours a week, and China has also been stingy with video game licenses and slow to officially approve games for consumption in the country in recent years. While legislation is still in place, the government has eased off of its regulation efforts, according to Reuters, and while the gaming population has boomed, revenue from games and game launches are still lagging behind past results. |
| 2023 Tempest Esports & Gaming Awards
Ready, set, GO!
Entries for the Tempest Esports & Gaming Awards are still open, for a limited time. Closing in just under 2 weeks – August 16! – the nominee list for the most innovative companies and executives is a top honor for the brands, teams and leagues playing the game. Show us your stars!
ENTER TODAY |
TRIVIA
Highly anticipated role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3 officially releases today. How long has the game been in “Early Access” before its launch? (Email [email protected] with your answer, and be sure to include your name, company and city).
Answer to Our Last Trivia Question
According to X’s style guidelines, what is the new name for what was previously known as a tweet? Answer: X’s. Kudos: David Westberg | SAG•AFTRA Federal Credit Union, Burbank, California; Phyllis McQuillan | MSG Networks, New York; Tom Moore | Kalt Productions, Los Angeles, CA |
SENIOR MANAGER, AD SALES MARKETING
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC.
NYC
Manage the pre-sale client facing pitch process and post-sale activation of cross-platform television, streaming, digital & social media integrated marketing programs. Write & create compelling sales presentations, one-sheets & cross-platform sponsorship opportunities. 5+ yrs exp. with ad sales marketing, integrated marketing, brand advertising. Full info HERE
DIRECTOR, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP, INC.
NYC or LOS ANGELES
Manage messaging, vision and strategy in the marketplace and internally. Responsible for helping to build, execute and enhance ad sales brand reputation and to raise awareness of the organization both internally and externally. 10+ years’ related media experience and experience with an ad sales organization. Full info HERE
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR >>
BIG FISH ENTERTAINMENT/NYC/NJ: Coordinating onboarding for all new hires.
Administering the benefits and payroll changes for employees accurately.
Maintaining an efficient filing system—paper and electronic, for employee and company records related to their job functions. Building a successful bridge between management and employees. 7 yrs entertainment exp. preferred. Full Info HERE
DIRECTOR, MEDIA SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS >>
PBS DISTRIBUTION/ARLINGTON VA, Hybrid: Oversee media systems operations, including daily operations as well as development and implementation of overall media supply chain. Work with external vendors and internal stakeholders on design and implementation of hardware and software solutions for media systems. 7+ yrs of work exp. in the areas of television, media, or consumer products. Full info HERE
MANAGER, STREAMING GROWTH AND ENGAGEMENT >>
PBS DISTRIBUTION/ARLINGTON VA, Hybrid: Identify opportunities using content placements & promotions to drive usage, engagement, & subscriber retention. Create & maintain a comprehensive editorial calendar to track & leverage content & cyclical opportunities based on each channel’s needs. 5+ years’ experience in digital video distribution, streaming business, and content programming. Full info HERE
TV/VIDEO SPONSORSHIP-PRODUCT INTEGRATION SALES REPRESENTATIVE >>
GAME ON MEDIA SOLUTIONS/Remote: Game On Media Solutions is looking for an independent business development oriented sponsorship sales representative. Focus will be on TV/Streaming project opportunities for brands that include product integration and placement. This is an Independent Contractor performance compensated opening. Attractive fees can be earned for closed deals. Full info HERE
BRAND ASSISTANT >>
THE LEDE COMPANY/NYC: Full-service communication, strategy, and social impact consulting firm, specializing in corporate, brand, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors, is seeking a Brand Assistant to join the Brand team in our New York office. The Assistant will play an integral role in supporting accounts for a wide variety of Fashion, Beauty, CPG and Lifestyle clients. Full info HERE
TALENT ASSISTANT >>
THE LEDE COMPANY/LA: Full-service strategy, communications and social impact consulting firm, specializing in corporate, entertainment and nonprofit sectors. We are looking for a Talent Assistant to a Talent Publicist in Los Angeles. We are seeking enthusiastic candidates who can work in a fast-paced environment, are driven & have strong communication and writing skills. Full info HERE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER FOR NATIONAL POLITICAL SHOW >>
BAHAKEL COMMUNICATIONS/CHARLOTTE NC: Develop and oversee the production of a daily or weekly national political show that covers the most important political news and events of the day. Develop and execute strategies to increase the show’s audience and engagement. At least 5 years of experience as an executive producer for a political show or similar program. Full info HERE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT >>
BAHAKEL COMMUNICATIONS/CHARLOTTE NC: Oversee all editorial and entertainment content, news production and presentation. Responsible for day-to-day operations of the show: producing, writing, and guiding creative. Develop content for the News @ TEN, plan, assign and create production schedules. 7 years of experience as executive producer or show producer. Network experience preferred. Full info HERE
SR. DIRECTOR, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT >>
SHOUT! FACTORY/LOS ANGELES: P&L responsibility, ownership over all aspects of a project, standalone releases or a licensed library of titles. Works w/production, publicity, creative services, distribution/sales, digital, finance, legal, acquisitions & licensors to best position the project for success. 7+ yrs of exp. in marketing, business development, or product management. Full info HERE
SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER >>
SHOUT! FACTORY/LOS ANGELES: Prepare accurate reports using data from internal & external sources for sales planning & analysis. Communicate w/our distributor on a regular basis with an understanding of their systems & deadlines. Announce release date, pricing confirmation & metadata for staff & distributor. 3+Yrs exp. in Sales Planning & Analysis/Finance Administration. Full info HERE
SENIOR CONTENT PRODUCER
INTERACTIVE ONE
NYC
Oversee video/creative production team thru ideation, production planning, crew/talent hiring, & budget/project management. Shepherd campaigns from development, pre-production, & production thru editing & delivery. Help w/shoots as well as postproduction team. 5+ yrs exp. spanning editorial, design, advertising agency, film, branded entertainment. Full info HERE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
INTERACTIVE ONE
NYC
Respond to both RFPs and direct-to-client assignments from brands and agencies. Examine client brief and lead ideation or adapt pre-existing creative. Identify innovative storytelling and emerging video formats. Minimum of 7 yrs exp. producing compelling video, television and digital media content across multiple channels and platforms. Full info HERE
AD SALES PLANNER >>
SINCLAIR BROADCASTING GROUP/NYC, Hybrid: Responsible for creating, analyzing & communicating sales proposals to the Sales team for presentation to advertising agencies and/or clients. Collaborate w/all media platforms & departments to create proposals, execute campaigns, manage stewardship & pacing of linear & digital deals. Point of contact post sale & provide excellent client services. Full info HERE
DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION LIFETIME/LMN MARKETING PRODUCTION OPERATIONS
A+E NETWORKS
Remote
Lead campaign planning & production oversight, ensuring best-in-class creative. Direct Campaign Planning rollouts & ensure production readiness of marketing initiatives. Oversee production on high-end graphics/design/editorial projects. 7+ yrs working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative team, with relevant work exp. in production management. Full info HERE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA INC/NYC: Determine best news stories for the program and create daily rundown. Work with show host in program preparation and execution. Identify compelling news stories. Delegate responsibilities as appropriate to producers, associate producers, and casting producers. 3+ years executive producing experience or overseeing newscast production. Full info HERE
STAGE MANAGER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA INC/WASHINGTON DC: Works with Production management to maintains cast and crew lists and manages local rehearsal and show calendar. Oversee daily technical run-throughs directly prior to shows. Willing and able to work shifts between 12noon to 11pm and occasional Weekends and some longer hours during election and special events. Full info HERE
BROADCAST ENGINEER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA INC/WASHINGTON DC: Troubleshooting, repair, and preventative maintenance of television broadcast equipment, computers, and broadcast computer networks in a 24x7x365 environment. Serve as E.I.C. during live and taped shows. Electrical Engineering, or other technical degree preferred. 5+ yrs as broadcast engineer, or equivalent knowledge. 5+ yrs in live TV production. Full info HERE
PRODUCER >>
NEWSMAX MEDIA INC/NEW YORK: Generate story ideas through research of news reports, social media, websites & contacts. Strong understanding of Newsmax brand & talent. Identify impactful news stories that result in provocative, compelling television. Delegate responsibilities as appropriate to associate producers, assignment editors & video editors. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Full info HERE
AD SALES COORDINATOR, DIRECT RESPONSE
TV ONE
NYC, Hybrid, Remote
Work with account executives & sales planners utilizing internal computer system to fulfill sales orders through the execution of client schedules. Serve as the primary point of contact for ad agencies & TV One to resolve discrepancies, confirm schedule changes & distribute post & pre-logs. Bachelor’s degree or 2 yrs of exp. in advertising sales. Full info HERE
MANAGER OF ENTERPRISE CONTENT, WTKR
SCRIPPS NETWORKS
NORFOLK, VA
Collaborates w/other newsroom managers to leverage the Scripps content strategy as the foundation for market-specific local content strategy. Leading a team of people to regularly & reliably produce targeted enterprise & investigative stories of impact & importance to our community. 3 yrs of exp. in digital media, journalism, broadcast preferred. Full info HERE
SR. DIRECTOR, DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND PARTNERSHIPS
TV ONE
SILVER SPRING MD, NYC, Hybrid Remote
Develop, cultivate, and socialize vision, mission, and strategy for Digital Business, Programming Visibility, Content Creation and Content Partnerships & Data Governance. Lead and facilitate cross-functional and cross-company project teams. 12 yrs in the media & emerging platform landscape with building digital platforms and vMVPD growth strategy. Full info HERE |
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| OTHER JOBS OF INTEREST
Lead the development, optimization, and maintenance of Atari.com (official direct-to-consumer website).
E-Commerce Manager
Atari
Remote
https://atari.com/pages/careers
You will contribute to the roadmap, architecture and technical and business delivery of various software applications.
Director of Engineering, Central Technology
WB Games
Needham MA
https://careers.wbd.com/global/en/wb-games-jobs
Perform requirement gathering, investigation, and analysis to determine appropriate solutions.
Senior Cloud Engineer
Unity
Austin TX
https://careers.unity.com/
Design, implement, test, and maintain ambitious user interfaces and groundbreaking frameworks and tools
Senior Front End Engineer, Commerce Platform
Unity
Austin TX
https://careers.unity.com/
Directs the creation and review of original mathematical models and new game themes and concepts.
Senior Director, Game Development
Konami Gaming, Inc.
Las Vegas NV
https://www.konami.com/games/us/en/jobs/
Ensure prompt resolution of issues related to desktop applications, workstations, and related equipment with minimal disruptions.
Senior IT Support Engineer
Konami Gaming Inc.
Hawthrone CA
https://www.konami.com/games/us/en/jobs/
Managing a development team which generally consists of Software Engineers, Animators, Artists, Designers, and others.
Development Director
EA DICE
Marina Del Rey CA
https://www.ea.com/careers
Ownership of console/controller gameplay quality and vision as part of the combat experience group.
Console Combat Experience Designer
EA DICE
Marina Del Rey CA
https://www.ea.com/careers
As a designer you’re expected to get up in front of the studio and sell your ideas.
Senior Technical Game Designer
Infinity Ward
Woodland Hills CA
https://careers.infinityward.com/
Contribute to the technical vision and architecture for the visual effects system.
Senior VFX Rendering Engineer
Infinity Ward
Woodland Hills CA
https://careers.infinityward.com/
With budget responsibility, you’ll oversee the internal media team and our agency partners.
Director, Digital Media
SEGA of America
Irvine CA
https://www.sega.co.jp/en/recruit/
Building resourcing plans and schedules for approval by your managers and alignment with your dev teams.
Producer, Console & PC
SEGAS of America
Irvine CA
https://www.sega.co.jp/en/recruit/
Develop and implement a method for effectively tracking project status for their teams.
Senior Development Director UI
Sledgehammer Games
Foster City CA
https://careers.sledgehammergames.com/
As a Senior Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating high-quality character models and textures that meet the technical vision of the project.
Senior Character Artist
Sledgehammer Games
Foster City CA
https://careers.sledgehammergames.com/
Build on the culture of inclusivity and growth through coaching, career management, and mentorship of associate and staff engineers.
Senior Advanced Software Engineer, Server Lead
WB Games
Carlsbad CA
https://careers.wbd.com/global/en/wb-games-jobs |
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