Beasts of Fire Maximum slot by Play'n GO featuring Charging Fire Beasts, Expanding Reels, and Maximum Burning Spins for explosive wins.
Connect with us
Beasts of Fire Maximum slot by Play'n GO featuring Charging Fire Beasts, Expanding Reels, and Maximum Burning Spins for explosive wins.

eSports

The World’s Best Street Fighter 6 Players Are Set to Clash at Red Bull Kumite New York on March 16th & 17th – Here’s Everything You Need to Know!

Published

on

 

  • The two-day event will be held at the historic Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse, New York, March 16 & 17, 2024.
  • The Main Event on March 17 will be in single elimination format, where 16 players, including an invitee and the Play-In winner, battle through a bracket drawn during the opening ceremony in first-to-five matches.
  • Confirmed fighters include renowned players such as reigning champion Adel “Big Bird” Anouche, Valentin “Valmaster” Petit and Lin “Oil King” Li-wei.
  • Commentary lineup features Michael “Yipes” Mendoza, Femi “F-Word” Adeboye, and others for expert insight and analysis.
  • AOC returns as the Official Monitor Partner with PlayStation as the Official Console Partner and Vitrix as the official partner of peripherals.
  • The tournament will be streamed live on twitch.tv/redbull and youtube.com/@redbullgaming.

Red Bull Kumite, the eminent Street Fighter 6 tournament, is set to take place this weekend in New York with the full roster of fighters announced and ready to duke it out for the title of Red Bull Kumite 2024 Champion. Here’s everything you need to know!

A highlight in the Fighting Game Community’s calendar, the two-day event will take place at the historic Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse, a fitting venue for what will be one of the most memorable FGC events of 2024. Bringing a rich and immersive storyline to this year’s tournament, fans will play witness to the villainous Battle King’s scheme to rule the underground world of Street Fighter, with only one hero set to emerge victorious.

Confirming the final players who complete the exciting lineup, Red Bull Kumite New York features notable talent such as French competitor Valentin “Valmaster” Petit and the 2023 EVO JP Champion, Lin “Oil King” Li-wei. Since January, fierce competition has also been unfolding on local battlefields, with numerous contenders vying for the last two coveted spots in the Grand Final. Last year’s champion Adel “Big Bird” Anouche will be returning to the iconic cage to defend his title in the ultimate Street Fighter showdown. Players from Japan, Italy, USA, Canada, and France have been competing for the final play-in spots and will be in with a chance to overthrow the pros in what would surely be one of the biggest upsets in FGC esports.

Red Bull Kumite New York kicks off with the Play-In on March 16th, featuring a double-elimination, first-to-three tournament between the eight players who have come from World Qualifiers. The winner will then qualify for the Main Event on March 17th.

The Main Event is a single-elimination tournament featuring 16 players, including 14 that have been directly invited, and winners of the Last Chance Qualifier and Play-In. The bracket draw will take place at the opening ceremony, preceding the action kicking off from round one all the way to the Grand Final, all played in a first-to-five format (BO9).

With the stakes at their highest, the event promises a stellar showcase of unbridled talent, complemented by a distinguished commentary team. Renowned players Joe “LI Joe” Ciaramelli and host Rob “RobTV” Burney will join forces to guide viewers through the thrilling matches. The commentary lineup also includes Michael “Yipes” Mendoza, reporter Zhi Liang Chew, Femi “F-Word” Adeboye, Logan Sama, and Samantha “Persia” Hancock, all returning for another year to provide expert insight and analysis.

Confirmed players for Red Bull Kumite 2024 are as follows:

  • Victor “Punk” Woodley (USA)
  • Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II (Dominican Republic)
  • Tsunehiro “Gachikun” Kanamori (Japan)
  • Adel “Big Bird” Anouche (United Arab Emirates)
  • Wong “Chris Wong” Yuk-cheung (Hong Kong)
  • Derek “iDom” Ruffin (USA)
  • Hibiki The Beast (Japan)
  • Masato “Bonchan” Takahashi (Japan)
  • Lin “Oil King” Li-wei (Taiwan)
  • Valentin “Valmaster” Petit (France)
  • Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi (Japan)
  • Du “NuckleDu” Dang (United States)
  • Shin “Leshar” Moon-sup (South Korea)
  • Rob “Broski” Livingston (United Kingdom)

Play-in competitors vying for a spot in the grand final:

  • USA: Noah “NoahTheProdigy” Solis
  • USA: Sean “Shine” Simpson
  • USA: Alan “Nephew” Sun
  • USA: Stephen “Space Boy” Agyemang
  • France: Nathan “Mister Crimson” Massol
  • Italy: Andrea “Garnet” Parlangeli
  • Japan: Ryukichi
  • Canada: Kuang “Zhen”

Red Bull Kumite New York is joined by three amazing partners for 2024 including AOC as the Official Monitor Partner, bringing exceptional visual clarity and ultra-high refresh rates to competitors, while PlayStation kicks into gear as the Official Console Partner. Red Bull Kumite New York will also be partnering with world-leading peripherals and accessories manufacturer, Victrix, to provide unique and accessible gear to the gaming community.

Watch Red Bull Kumite New York live on March 16 and March 17 via twitch and youtube.

Please see below for a recap:

  • Red Bull Kumite, the prestigious fighting game tournament, will take place in New York and kick off on March 16 & 17, 2024 at Brooklyn’s historic Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse
  • AOC will be this year’s official Monitor Partner, bringing exceptional visual clarity and ultra-high refresh rates to competitors. Playstation joins Red Bull Kumite for the first time as Official Console Partner with Victrix joining as official partner of peripherals.

AOC

Founded in 1967, AOC is a globally leading monitor and IT accessories brand and a subsidiary of TPV Technology Limited, the world’s largest LCD manufacturer. AOC’s comprehensive product portfolio provides innovative, ergonomic, environmentally conscious and stylish solutions for professional as well as personal applications. The sub-brand of AOC, AGON by AOC, offers one of the strongest portfolios of high-performance gaming monitors in the world and a complete ecosystem of gaming accessories grouped in three categories: AOC GAMING for core gamers, AGON for competitive gamers and AGON PRO for esports enthusiasts and professional esports players. Since 2020 AGON by AOC has been one of the leading gaming monitor brands and a top choice of gamers worldwide.For more information please refer to AGON by AOC’s official website or follow AGON by AOC on Facebook, X or Instagram.

Advertisement
Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

PlayStation

PlayStation Tournaments enables gamers of all levels to compete, win prizes, and connect with others worldwide, directly from their PlayStation consoles. PS5 Tournaments are available in a diverse range of games, fostering a community where participants can showcase their skills, enjoy competitive play, and take-home incredible prizes.

Victrix

PDP Gaming is an industry leader providing high-quality licensed peripherals and accessories for all major video game platforms. PDP believes that design-forward, high-performance gear should be as unique and accessible as the gaming community itself. From beginner to professional, PDP’s product lines offer uncompromising performance and striking designs that transport gamers into seamless, immersive experiences where competition, connection, and personal expression are limitless. Victrix by PDP is purpose built for Esports athletes and enthusiasts looking for unmatched performance and competitive advantage. For over 25 years, PDP has been supplying video game peripherals and accessories to major retailers across the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. For more information, visit PDP website and VICTRIXPRO website.

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

awards

BETBY SHINES AT SiGMA AMERICAS WITH LOCALISED STRATEGY AND WINS ESPORTS AWARD

Published

on

BETBY SHINES AT SiGMA AMERICAS WITH LOCALISED STRATEGY AND WINS ESPORTS AWARD

 

BETBY, the cutting-edge sportsbook provider, has further cemented its position as one of the most innovative suppliers in the sports betting landscape following a standout appearance at SiGMA Americas, the leading event for the iGaming industry in Latin America.

Hosted in São Paulo, Brazil, SiGMA Americas brought together the industry’s most influential stakeholders, with a spotlight on the dynamic and fast-growing Latin American market. BETBY stood out at the event by showcasing the full strength of its flexible sportsbook solution, designed to empower operators with complete control over the betting experience.

A major highlight of the exhibition was BETBY’s showcase of its hyper-localised content capabilities, which empower operators to engage regional audiences with culturally relevant offerings. This strategic focus was exemplified by the industry’s most comprehensive Vaquejada betting solution, a rodeo-style sport particularly popular in northeast Brazil. BETBY’s unique content portfolio, which includes both pre-live markets and an immersive e-sim version of the sport, resonated strongly with operators and attendees. It demonstrated not only a deep understanding of regional preferences, but also the supplier’s ability to create tailored content for any market.

Alongside this, BETBY exhibited continued innovation through its proprietary esports feed BETBY Games, and its comprehensive suite of AI tools AI Labs, which leverages artificial intelligence to deliver personalisation, real-time recommendations, and enhanced operational efficiency.

As further recognition of its ongoing innovation in the iGaming industry, BETBY was honoured with the Best Esports Product award during the SiGMA Americas Awards ceremony. This win underscores BETBY’s vision to redefine the esports betting experience through its BETBY Games solution, which is designed to deliver unmatched flexibility, customisation, and engagement for operators and players.

“This recognition at SiGMA Americas is a proud milestone for our entire team, even though our presence in Brazil this week was about much more than awards,” said Leonid Pertsovskiy, BETBY’s Chief Executive Officer. “It was about connecting with the region, understanding what local players truly value, and showing that we have the technology and vision to meet those needs. We’re building products that scale globally but connect locally, and that’s what sets BETBY apart.”

Continue Reading

eSports

PlayVS Announces Multi-year Partnership with Zenni Optical

Published

on

PlayVS Announces Multi-year Partnership with Zenni Optical

 

PlayVS, the leading esports platform in North America, announced a multi-year partnership with Zenni Optical, the world’s leading online eyewear retailer. This partnership establishes Zenni as the official eyewear partner of PlayVS, bringing exclusive benefits to PlayVS’ esports community.

As part of this collaboration, Zenni will serve as the official eyewear partner of the PlayVS Cup, the annual national esports championship for high school students. The Cup provides top scholastic esports teams from across the country with an opportunity to compete for a national title and earn recognition and awards, including college scholarships. Zenni’s partnership will help power scholarship prizes for Cup finalists, furthering PlayVS’ dedication to empowering students and supporting their educational and athletic ambitions. These scholarships not only aid with alleviating financial strain, but also highlight esports as a viable pathway to academic and professional success.

Zenni’s eyewear will also be included in the prize packages that PlayVS Cup champions and PlayVS Awards winners receive, providing students with high quality eyewear to complement their gaming performance. Additionally, Zenni will offer members of the PlayVS community exclusive discounts on eyewear.

“We are excited to partner with PlayVS and expand our ongoing support of the gaming and esports community. Empowering a dedicated high school esports program that not only will generate awareness around the importance of eye health to a new generation of gamers but also support their academic pursuits is such an amazing opportunity for Zenni to partner with,” said Robb Chiarini, Head of Partnerships, Licensing, & Events at Zenni Optical.

Through this partnership, Zenni will also be integrated into PlayVS’ content series, Road to the PlayVS Cup, a set of videos showcasing different esports programs across the nation as they compete to earn a spot in the PlayVS Cup.

“Partnering with Zenni is a natural fit for us as we continue to grow the high school esports community. Zenni shares our commitment to supporting students in both esports and academics. By joining forces with Zenni, we’re empowering students with scholarships and enabling them to partake in healthy competition to foster their esports careers. We’re excited to work together and bring Zenni’s eyewear to our community of gamers,” said Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS.

Continue Reading

eSports

Esports Highlights: Trends to Watch in 2025

Published

on

Esports, the competitive side of video gaming, has evolved exponentially over the past few decades. From small gatherings of friends competing in local tournaments to massive international leagues and arenas filled with thousands of fans, the landscape of esports has dramatically shifted.

Esports, the competitive side of video gaming, has evolved exponentially over the past few decades. From small gatherings of friends competing in local tournaments to massive international leagues and arenas filled with thousands of fans, the landscape of esports has dramatically shifted. With its growth, new trends continue to emerge, bringing about changes in both the games that dominate and the ways in which audiences experience these events. As we look ahead to 2025, several key trends will shape the future of esports, from technological advancements to shifts in fan engagement. In this article, we’ll explore the most significant trends in esports that will likely define the landscape of 2025 and beyond.

1.  Rise of Mobile Esports

One of the most important trends in esports in 2025 will be the further rise of mobile gaming. Traditionally, esports has been dominated by PC and console games, but with the advent of powerful smartphones and mobile devices, mobile gaming is now on the rise as a competitive platform. Games like PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, and Brawl Stars have already carved a niche for themselves, attracting millions of players and viewers globally.

Mobile gaming has the distinct advantage of the fact that it’s played on what’s already in your pocket. The fact that 4.3 billion people own at least one smartphone (compared to 1.86 billion PC gamers and 1.6 billion console owners) means that the bar for entry has never been lower.

Historically, esports has been dominated by North American (NA) and European (EU) players, with EU players typically having the edge in skill and performance. However, as the mobile esports scene continues to grow, emerging regions will most likely play a much bigger part in the global esports scene. Indeed, mobile esports has already gained immense popularity in regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and India, where smartphones are more prevalent than gaming PCs or consoles.

In 2025, we can expect to see more titles being optimized for mobile platforms, leading to more inclusive and geographically diverse esports tournaments. Furthermore, the integration of 5G technology will significantly enhance mobile gaming experiences by heavily reducing latency and increasing connection speed, making it even more appealing for professional players and fans.

2.  The Continued Convergence of Traditional Sports and Esports

Esports and traditional sports have already begun to overlap in several areas, and this convergence will only grow stronger by 2025. Traditional sports leagues, teams, and athletes are increasingly investing in esports teams and tournaments. For example, major soccer clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona have their own esports teams competing in popular games such as FIFA and Rocket League. Similarly, the NBA has its NBA 2K League, which draws in a new generation of fans while also engaging current basketball enthusiasts.

Notably, certain motorsports leagues have begun trying out notable “sim-racing” champions and giving them chances and tryouts in real race cars. This style of esports to real sports promotion could prove even more common as more real-life sports leagues more closely examine the talent found in esports champions.

The online betting scene has also begun to take notice of the rising popularity of esports and competitive gaming. Most notably, Stake offers both sports betting and eSports betting, which are easier to have fun with than ever.

The collaboration between traditional sports and esports will likely intensify in the coming years, with more partnerships, cross-promotion, and even possible hybrid events. These collaborations will provide new opportunities for esports to reach wider audiences and gain mainstream legitimacy. Fans of traditional sports who may not yet be engaged with esports will become more familiar with the esports scene as their favorite teams and athletes become involved.

In recent years, major TV networks have increasingly embraced esports, recognizing its immense popularity and potential to attract younger, tech-savvy audiences. Networks such as ESPN and TBS have begun broadcasting major esports tournaments, including events like the League of Legends World Championship and NBA 2K League. These partnerships have helped legitimize esports as a mainstream form of entertainment, drawing in millions of viewers and boosting sponsorships and advertising revenue. The inclusion of esports in traditional media platforms also reflects the growing popularity of esports as a whole.

Advertisement
Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

3.  The Growth of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Esports

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are two of the most exciting technologies poised to revolutionize the gaming and esports industries. By 2025, VR and AR are expected to enhance the way fans and players experience esports, providing more immersive and interactive environments.

In esports, VR has the potential to offer a fully immersive competitive gaming experience. Players may be able to step into digital worlds with greater interactivity and presence than ever before. VR was in a bit of a slump before Facebook Inc. notoriously changed its company name to Meta Inc., while betting everything on VR and the “Metaverse” being the next big thing. While the Metaverse hasn’t quite yet gained popularity as Meta had hoped, the big push has definitely revived VR and VR gaming, and player numbers are at an all-time high. VR esports could be a lot more prominent in the near future, with some possible contenders for games being Beat Saber and Pavlov.

AR, on the other hand, could change the way fans watch live esports events by overlaying real-time stats, player profiles, and other dynamic content directly into the live broadcasts, as well as onto the smartphones of live attendees. Some traditional sports, (such as Formula 1) have already begun doing so, and esports could very well follow.

4.  Increased Focus on Content Creators, Streaming Platforms, and Online Betting

Esports and streaming platforms like Kick, Twitch, and Youtube are deeply intertwined, with content creators and streamers playing a pivotal role in driving viewership, engagement, and revenue. By 2025, these figures will continue to be central to the esports ecosystem, bridging the gap between professional players and casual fans by offering entertainment, educational content, and community-building activities.

Notably, in the past few years, we’ve seen many different Content creators and streamers popularize the genre of speedrunning, the concept of competing in order to fully beat a single-player game in the shortest possible time. In the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, hours-long video essays covering different games’ speedrunning scenes exploded in popularity and viewership, driving never-before-seen audiences to speedrunning events and tournaments.

Examples like these show that online personalities have a huge influence on the popularity of esports and gaming tournaments, both in offline single-player gaming and online hyper-competitive multiplayer tournaments.

Moreover, online betting platforms, particularly Stake.com, will see greater prominence within the esports landscape. As esports fans continue to engage with their favorite games, teams, and events, platforms like Stake will allow users to bet on outcomes, adding an exciting new dimension to the esports experience. This integration of online betting with streaming and content creation will provide fans with even more ways to interact with the esports world, further blurring the lines between gaming entertainment and real-world stakes.

5.  Increased Professionalization of Esports Leagues

As esports continues to mature, the structure of its leagues and competitions will become more professionalized. By 2025, we can expect a more established framework for esports leagues, akin to the way traditional sports leagues such as the NFL or NBA are organized. This shift will include increased focus on player welfare, standardized rules, and higher production value for events.

We could very possibly see esports organizations implementing stricter player contracts, better health and wellness programs, and improved support systems for players transitioning into new stages of their careers. Additionally, esports leagues will likely aim for better governance to ensure fairness and transparency in player management, league operations, and tournament outcomes.

Large corporations such as Valve Corporation and Riot Games have already been funding entire leagues on their own, but we could expect to see these leagues become more self-sufficient, as well as potentially new grassroots esports leagues popping up.

Advertisement
Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

6.  Expansion into New Games and Genres

While League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike 2 dominate the esports scene today, new games and genres will continue to emerge and challenge the status quo. We are poised to see new competitive games in genres never before heard of appear in the future.

The current mainstream of 5v5 first-person shooters and top-down MOBAs is definitely popular for now, but the future is, as always, unpredictable. As the esports audience diversifies and seeks new experiences, the demand for new games that offer different styles of gameplay will grow. One game that’s earned a lot of recent attention is Valve’s Deadlock, a fresh take that attempts to wrap a MOBA and a third-person shooter into one game. It borrows all kinds of mechanics from both genres and is currently available for beta testing.

Additionally, one historical genre of gaming that’s been somewhat neglected in the mainstream esports scene is fighting. Popular fighting franchises such as Tekken and Street Fighter are ultra-competitive 1 on 1 experiences that would fit into the modern esports scene incredibly well. They would also fit incredibly well into a traditional tournament bracket, which most modern esports leagues use in their events. It could be a matter of time until we see these games truly explode into the mainstream esports scene.

7.  The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning on Esports

AI and machine learning are increasingly being integrated into esports, both in-game and behind the scenes. In-game AI can be used to enhance the gameplay experience, provide better matchmaking, and even develop more intelligent NPCs (non-playable characters) for single-player games. Additionally, AI and machine learning are already being used in order to develop more sophisticated anti-cheat software. More advanced and sophisticated anti-cheat will ensure that anyone from regular run-of-the-mill players to battle-hardened esports competitors is all on a completely level playing field.

Behind the scenes, AI can help analyze player performance, predict outcomes, and optimize tournament structures. As these technologies advance, their role in esports will grow, providing more personalized and efficient experiences for players and fans alike.

8.  Gender equality in Esports

The future of esports holds immense promise in terms of gender equality, offering the opportunity for both men and women to compete together at the highest levels. Unlike traditional physical sports, where physical strength can be a determining factor, esports provides a level playing field where skill, strategy, and teamwork take precedence. This opens up a world of untapped potential, where an equal participation of men and women could elevate the entire industry, driving innovation and diversity.

By 2025, as barriers to entry continue to diminish, the growing recognition of female players, content creators, and professionals will help shape a more inclusive esports scene. Once we overcome societal hurdles and biases, the industry will see a more unified, competitive, and dynamic environment.

9.  Esports as a Career Path

In 2025, esports looks sure to continue to be a legitimate career path for players, coaches, analysts, and content creators. As the industry matures, more individuals will pursue esports as a viable career option.

In addition to competitive gaming, roles such as event organizers, team managers, game developers, and data analysts will become more prominent within the esports ecosystem. The increasing number of job opportunities within esports will help professionalize the industry and ensure its growth in the future.

Educational institutions will most likely offer more dedicated programs and degrees in esports management, broadcasting, and game design, offering professional pathways for future talents. Some high schools and universities have even been starting up their own amateur esports clubs and leagues, as a way for students to socialize and find common interests with each other.

Advertisement
Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

 

Conclusion

As we head into 2025, esports will continue to evolve, with major transformations driven by mobile gaming, VR/AR integration, and the growing influence of content creators and streaming platforms. The professionalization of leagues and the expansion into new genres will ensure esports remains dynamic, offering exciting opportunities for players, fans, and industry professionals alike.

Continue Reading

Trending

GamingAmericas.com (part of HIPTHER) is your one-stop portal for the latest news, insights, and analyses in the gaming industry across the Americas. From legislative updates and market trends to interviews with industry leaders, we provide a comprehensive look at the dynamic landscape of both online and land-based gaming. Whether you're a stakeholder looking to stay ahead of the curve or a gaming enthusiast eager for reliable updates, GamingAmericas.com has got you covered. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for real-time updates and exclusive content. Make informed decisions and stay ahead in the game with GamingAmericas.com.

Disclaimer: All the information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always check your local laws before participating in any gaming activities.

Copyright © 2018 – 2025, HIPTHER. All Rights Reserved.