eSports
Aquatik Esports Announces Expansion of Esports Programs, Launch of Online Store and Welcomes Former Associate Publisher of Game Informer, Rob Borm
Aquatik Esports is excited to announce additions to its esports offerings via the expansion of multiple leagues, increased tournament schedules, additional franchised livestreams and the rollout of its online store, 7seas.gg. In addition, Aquatic Esports welcomes industry veteran and former associate publisher of Game Informer Rob Borm as vice president of sales and sponsorships.
Since its March 2020 launch, Aquatik Esports has rapidly grown its audience reach to 40 million* by providing competitive gamers, creators and streamers of any skillset or age group a unique platform to launch their gaming careers. With a three-pronged focus on delivering innovation to the esports industry, giving back via its conservation efforts and providing education to its community, Aquatik Esports offers multiple league options to match all skill levels. Aquatikâs âcommunity mashup seriesâ promotes inclusion at the basic rec-league level by providing amateur gamers the opportunity to participate in tournaments for cash prizes quickly and easily.
Enhanced by a customer loyalty rewards program where guests earn and use points based on their activity, 7seas.gg provides an elegant online shopping experience thatâs tactfully integrated within the ocean of privileges for Aquatik Esports followers. The site features the latest and greatest in gaming accessories, collectibles, supplements, snacks and apparel. In addition to sponsor sections, the Aquatik staff frequently shares their recommended merchandise picks.
As the former associate publisher of Game Informer, Rob Borm brings his experience in developing successful content integration programs for both endemic and non-endemic brand partners. His history of recent consumer brand partners includes such major players as Geico, Mars/Wrigley, Miller Lite and Toyota.
âWhether itâs at the league level, integrating with specific tournaments or engaging with Aquatikâs lineup of franchised livestreams, there are multiple ways for brands to effectively engage with our rapidly growing base of followers,â Borm says. âThe recent âBuilt Bar Cupâ tournament and âGigabyte Loungeâ are examples of effective integrations that moved the needle for our brand partners. In addition, having the ability to offer our new online store as added value to partners promotes an immediate and smooth path-to-purchase.â
Aquatik Esportsâ parent company, Horizon Cloud, founded the venture as the brainchild of Horizon VP of Growth Andrew Bouley (aka Neptjun on Twitch and all Aquatik social media channels). Andrew is an established gamer, streamer and industry expert in the software and extended reality industries and has brought the latest in technology, gaming and virtual reality to the screens of millions.
âEsports and gaming are growing at an unprecedented rate and businesses and individual creators alike are struggling to get a solid grasp on how to take advantage of the industry,â says Andrew Bouley. âItâs why we created Aquatik, to help both sides of the fence get a better understanding of the segment and create rapid and meaningful growth.â
Horizon Cloud has been a dominant player in the technology space for almost 30 years, providing cutting-edge software for event planning, online ordering and 3D/AR/VR diagramming. In addition to its significant position and history, Horizon provides Aquatik Esports with substantial infrastructure and staff â with several existing employees already being established as expert gamers, streamers and tournament players.
For more information on marketing opportunities and brand exposure with this rapidly growing company, visit www.aquatik.org.
eSports
HAWKS TALON GC SET FOR THE STEAL ON APRIL 19TH FOR CHANCE TO ENTER NBA 2K LEAGUE 3V3 PLAYOFF
Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, will begin play in the STEAL on Friday night against No. 14 Blazer5 Gaming at 7:30 p.m.
Talon collected 90 points over the SLAM and SWITCH, earning 60 points in the SLAM and 30 points in the SWITCH to earn the No. 3 seed heading into the STEAL.
Should Talon advance, they would play the winner of No. 6 Cavs Legion GC and No. 11 Hornets Venom GT on Saturday at 3:45 p.m., followed by the semifinals at 5:15 p.m., and the finals at 5:45 p.m. All games can be followed on the NBA 2K Leagueâs Twitch and YouTube channels.
âThe STEAL is probably the toughest tournament in the 2K League, but the guys are locked in and ready to fight for their season,â said Hawks Talon head coach Ismael âMAELOâ Diaz Tolentino. âWe are looking forward to going out there and proving that we belong amongst the best teams in the league. We were only a game away from clinching a playoff berth and we honestly think we are one of the teams to beat in this tournament.â
Talon owns a 4-4 record in bracket play thus far during the 2024 season over the SLAM and SWITCH opens, going 3-2 over the SLAM and 1-2 over the SWITCH.
The single elimination 3v3 tournament includes all 15 NBA 2K League teams that have not clinched a spot in the 3v3 playoffs, plus one community team from an open qualifier. The final two teams in the STEAL will earn a spot in the 3v3 playoffs beginning next week, with the winner receiving a winner-take-all cash prize.
eSports
EA SPORTS NHL 24 World Championship Winner Announced
A new champion was crowned yesterday in New York during the EA SPORTS NHL 24 World Championship, the National Hockey League announced. Ethan âPolgzâ Kerr-Polgar, who represented the Toronto Maple Leafs, earned his first EA SPORTS NHL 24 title, the $30,000 USD grand prize and a custom hockey stick trophy. The 21-year-old, Newmarket, Ont., resident won the back-and-forth, best-of-three series, including winning Game 1 in overtime against fellow Canadian Justin âRegsâ Reguly. With the win, Polgz cements his status as the top NHL 24 player in the World.
Polgz (@PolgzNHLon X) is an avid hockey fan and gamer who chose to represent his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs in the EA SPORTS NHL 24 World Championship. His superior offensive skills allowed him to score eight goals in the Final series to earn the World title. Polgz dedicated the win to his mother, who is his biggest supporter and has beat cancer three times.
Fellow Maple Leafs representative Regs finished the day as runner-up. Regs was previously the North American Champion of EA SPORTS NHL 22.
The virtual qualifying events for the live competition were hosted in partnership with Rival on its fan engagement platform that connects gamers from all over the world. The NHL 24 World Championship qualifying spanned two continents and showcased the global reach of virtual hockey.
EA SPORTS NHL 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Round Robin
Polgz (Toronto Maple Leafs) 3 vs. Regs (Toronto Maple Leafs) 2 (OT)
Deeks (Montreal Canadiens) 7 vs Tempannen (Anaheim Ducks) 3
Regs (Toronto Maple Leafs) 2 vs. Tempannen (Anaheim Ducks) 1 (OT)
Polgz (Toronto Maple Leafs) 4 vs. Deeks (Montreal Canadiens) 3
Regs (Toronto Maple Leafs) 5 vs. Deeks (Montreal Canadiens) 1
Polgz (Toronto Maple Leafs) 4 vs. Temppanen (Anaheim Ducks) 1
Standings after Round Robin
1. Eki (*automatically advanced to Semifinal) *defeated Gren for 1st seed
2. Gren (*automatically advanced to Semifinal)
3. Polgz, TOR (3-0-0), 6 pts
4. Regs, TOR (2-0-1), 5 pts
5. Deeks, MTL (1-2-0), 2 pts
6. Temppanen, ANA (0-2-1), 1 pts
Semifinal (best-of-three)
EKI (NYI) vs. Regs (TOR)
Regs wins series 2-0
Gren (BUF) vs. Polgz (TOR)
Polgz wins series 2-0
Final (best-of-three)
Game 1: Polgz, 3 vs. Regs, 2 (OT)
*Polgz took an early lead over Regs by scoring the first goal of the series. Polgz secured a two-goal lead in the second period, which was quickly answered by Regs bringing the score to 2-1. Regs made an epic comeback in the third period, tying up the game with 17 seconds left and forcing the first game into overtime. Despite strong gameplay from both sides, Polgz pulled through to earn the overtime win.
Game 2: Polgz, 0 vs. Regs, 5
*Regs dominated in Game 2 of the Final. He scored two goals in quick succession in the first period, then took a three-goal lead in the second period. Polgz had some good chances in the second period, but ultimately was unable to overcome Regs. Regs sealed the deal with another two goals towards the end of the third period, securing a 5-0 win over Polgz and tying the series at 2-2.
Game 3: Polgz, 5 vs. Regs, 3
*An unstoppable Polgz took the early lead, scoring four unanswered goals in the first period. After a mostly quiet second period, Regs got on the board with two unanswered goals of his own, suddenly cutting Polgzâs lead in half. Entering the third period at 4-2 with Polgz in the lead, Regs made up ground with another goal early in the third period, making for an exciting battle for the win. In the end, Polgz locked in the win with a fifth goal in the third period, winning Game 3 with a final score of 5-3 and ending the series 2-1.
World Championship History
YEAR | WINNER | RUNNER UP |
2024 | Polgz (Ethan Kerr-Polgar) | Regs (Justin Reguly) |
2023 | Jos x 10 (Joseph Olmstead) | EKI (Erik TammenpÀÀ) |
2022* | NA: Regs (Justin Reguly)
EUR: EKI (Erik TammenpÀÀ) |
NA: Gren-35- (Matthew Grenier)
EUR: J-_-JamalTheMan (Jimi Rönkkönen) |
2021* | NA: Gren-35- (Matthew Grenier)
EUR: EKI (Erik TammenpÀÀ) |
NA: Regs (Justin Reguly)
EUR: NikkeDangles (Niklas Tukiainen) |
2020* | CAN: Regs (Justin Reguly)
USA: OFâs HF (Josh Fuss) EUR: Artuzio (Arttu Mustila) |
CAN:Â YungGren (Matthew Grenier)
USA: Top Shelf Cookie (Matthew Gutkoski) EUR: MrNipsuli (Roni Kajan) |
2019 | Top Shelf Cookie (Matthew Gutkoski) | JohnWayne90 (John Casagranda) |
2018 | EKI (Erik TammenpÀÀ) | Jr Pens (David Roebuck) |
*World Championship canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions NA = North America / EUR = Europe
EA SPORTS NHL 23 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS
1. Polgz, Toronto Maple Leafs ($30,000 USD)
2. Regs, Toronto Maple Leafs ($10,000 USD)
3. Gren, Buffalo Sabres ($5,000 USD)
4. Eki, New York Islanders ($5,000 USD)
5. Deeks, Montreal Canadiens ($1,000 USD)
6. Temppanen, Anaheim Ducks ($1,000 USD)
eSports
BITKRAFT Ventures Launches New $275M Venture Fund, Continues to Invest in Early-Stage Gaming and Interactive Media Startups Globally
Once closed, this fund will bring BITKRAFT Ventures’ total assets under management to over $1 billion
BITKRAFT Ventures, one of the leading global games investment platforms, has announced the filing of BITKRAFT Venture Fund 3, a $275 million fund dedicated to driving early-stage investments in gaming and interactive media companies. Serving as the successor to their two Early Stage Equity Venture Funds, BITKRAFT Venture Fund 3 will continue to invest in studios, platforms, and technology globally within the gaming and interactive media space at the Seed and Series A stages. Once closed, this milestone launch will bring BITKRAFT Ventures’ total assets under management to over $1 billion.
Grounded in its vision of synthetic reality, BITKRAFT believes in the transformative power of digital experiences, shaping the future of entertainment. With a core belief that humanity is increasingly immersing itself in digital realms, BITKRAFT recognizes game companies as central to this development, driving the evolution of digital entertainment. Founded by seasoned entrepreneurs and builders in the games ecosystem, BITKRAFT has grown from a small team to over 25 professionals distributed globally, with a presence in key markets in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
âAt BITKRAFT Ventures, we are as committed to â and optimistic about â the future of the games industry as we were from the inception of BITKRAFT in 2016. We’ve seen continued growth across all major game platforms, in metrics including user engagement, activity levels, and monetization,” says Jens Hilgers, Founding General Partner at BITKRAFT Ventures. “Newly formed game studios have seen substantial break out successes over the last years, and the advent of AI in game production further benefits new upstarts in the space. Additionally, we have witnessed increased interest in game content beyond incumbents from media and tech giants, as well as private equity firms entering the landscape of potential buyers further expanding the exit landscape.â
BITKRAFT Ventures has strategically invested in various stages in a global roster of well-known companies including Frost Giant, a studio dedicated to bringing back real-time strategy; Anzu, an in-game advertising platform revolutionizing the gaming industry; Carry1st, a mobile gaming platform focused on serving the African market; InWorld, a social platform merging the digital and physical worlds; Voicemod, a voice modulation software empowering content creators; Immutable, the creators of the popular blockchain game Gods Unchained; and Karate Combat, an innovative martial arts league bringing high-octane combat sports to global audiences.
BITKRAFT Ventures’ funds exhibited noteworthy performance, as documented by the Cambridge Associates Benchmarking Data Report 2023. BITKRAFT’s inaugural Web 3 fund achieved a top 5% ranking, while its second Venture Fund secured a position in the top 8% of all funds based on Internal Rate of Return (IRR).
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