ESL and Intel Renew 20-Year Partnership | Netflix Announces League of Legends Anime

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Renewed Partnership between ESL Gaming and Intel
3. Extension of Partnership between ESL Gaming and DouYu
4. Broadcasting Deal between Huya and TJ Sports
5. Netflix's Entry into Esports
6. Investments in Esports Talent Agency Tier 1 Entertainment
7. Ubisoft's Six Invitational Event
8. Ninjas in Pyjamas' Victory in the Six Invitational
9. Introduction of Gaming and Esports Training Facility by Basecamp

Article

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of esports, May 2021 witnessed several significant developments and milestones. From renewing partnerships to broadcasting deals and investments, the esports industry continued to grow and evolve. Additionally, the involvement of streaming platforms and production companies further solidified the popularity and reach of esports. In this article, we will delve into the key events and announcements that shaped the esports landscape in May 2021.

Renewed Partnership between ESL Gaming and Intel

One of the most notable events in the esports industry in May 2021 was the renewal of a 20-year partnership between ESL Gaming, a renowned esports organizer, and Intel, a leading technology company. This groundbreaking deal involved an investment of a hundred million dollars in esports from 2022 to the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice in 2025. The collaboration between these two industry giants aims to bring about product innovation and improvements for fans and players alike. As part of the agreement, all ESL Pro Tour Counter-Strike tournaments will be rebranded under the Intel Extreme Masters brand. DreamHack Festival and DreamHack Open, which fall under the banner of Modern Times Group like ESL, will also be rebranded to Intel Extreme Masters.

Extension of Partnership between ESL Gaming and DouYu

ESL Gaming made further waves in the esports industry by extending its partnership with DouYu, a prominent Chinese live streaming platform. This exclusive broadcasting rights deal grants DouYu the rights to broadcast the Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) ESL Pro Tour, as well as StarCraft 2, Warcraft 3, Dota 2, and ESL Mobile competitions in Mandarin and various Chinese dialects. This collaboration aims to expand the reach of competitive esports in the Chinese market and cater to the specific language preferences of the local audience.

Broadcasting Deal between Huya and TJ Sports

Huya, another major Chinese live streaming platform, secured a significant broadcasting deal with TJ Sports, a joint venture between Game developer Riot Games and parent organization Tencent. The deal, valued at 260 million euros, grants Huya the exclusive rights to Broadcast the Chinese League of Legends competitions, such as the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), the Development League (LDL), and the All-Star LPL event, in Mandarin and other Chinese dialects. It is important to note that this deal does not include global competitions like the League of Legends World Championship, All-Star Event, and Mid-Season Invitational.

Netflix's Entry into Esports

Netflix, the popular streaming service, announced its foray into the esports arena with the upcoming release of "League of Legends: Arcane," an animated series based on the immensely popular esports game. This series, set to premiere on Netflix this fall, explores the rich lore and captivating stories behind the League of Legends Universe. "Arcane" marks Netflix's Second venture into the realm of video game adaptations, following the release of "Dota: Dragon's Blood," a series based on the popular esports game Dota 2. With these projects, Netflix aims to tap into the vast and fervent esports community while showcasing the diverse narratives within the gaming world.

Investments in Esports Talent Agency Tier 1 Entertainment

The esports industry continues to attract investments, and in May 2021, Wonder Music Group and Gobi Partners invested in Tier 1 Entertainment, an esports talent agency. Tier 1 Entertainment plans to utilize the funding to expand its operations throughout Asia, particularly in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Myanmar. The investment will facilitate the hiring of back-end teams and the expansion of operations in Blacklist International, Tier 1's esports team. This strategic investment signifies the growing interest in nurturing and promoting esports talent in the Asian market.

Ubisoft's Six Invitational Event

Ubisoft, the renowned video game developer, received approval to host the highly anticipated Six Invitational event for its popular game, Rainbow Six Siege. Despite no live audience being allowed due to the ongoing pandemic, the event brought together the best Rainbow Six Siege teams from around the world to compete in Paris, France. This event served as a platform to showcase the skill and strategy of these top-tier teams and provided fans with exhilarating matches.

Ninjas in Pyjamas' Victory in the Six Invitational

The Six Invitational witnessed intense competition among the world's elite teams, culminating in a thrilling victory for Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP), a prestigious Swedish organization. NiP's triumph showcased their exceptional teamwork and tactical prowess, solidifying their position as one of the foremost contenders in the Rainbow Six Siege esports scene. The South American teams Team Liquid and Made in Brazil also put on stunning displays, finishing as strong runners-up in the tournament.

Introduction of Gaming and Esports Training Facility by Basecamp

Basecamp, an esports subsidiary of student accommodation provider Basecamp, unveiled a state-of-the-art gaming and esports training facility in Poland. Located in Lodz, Poland's third-largest city, the facility boasts 120 setups and is set to open in June. This cutting-edge venue offers VIP rooms for practice Sessions, private events, and multimedia facilities for shoutcasting and streaming. Basecamp considers this facility the first of many planned ventures throughout Europe, aiming to support and foster the growth of the esports community.

Highlights

• ESL Gaming and Intel renewed their 20-year partnership, committing a hundred million dollars to invest in esports from 2022 to Intel Extreme Masters Katowice in 2025.
• DouYu secured exclusive broadcasting rights for ESL Pro Tour and other esports competitions in Mandarin and various Chinese dialects.
• Huya obtained a broadcasting deal worth 260 million euros with TJ Sports for broadcasting Chinese League of Legends competitions.
• Netflix announced the release of "League of Legends: Arcane," an animated series exploring the Lore and stories of the popular esports game.
• Tier 1 Entertainment received investments from Wonder Music Group and Gobi Partners to expand its esports talent agency operations in Asia.
• Ninjas in Pyjamas emerged as victors in the Six Invitational, a premier Rainbow Six Siege tournament.
• Basecamp introduced a gaming and esports training facility in Poland, equipped with cutting-edge technology and amenities.

FAQ

Q: When will "League of Legends: Arcane" be released on Netflix? A: "League of Legends: Arcane" is set to premiere on Netflix in the fall.

Q: What games will be broadcasted by DouYu under the exclusive partnership with ESL Gaming? A: DouYu will have exclusive broadcasting rights for Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO), StarCraft 2, Warcraft 3, Dota 2, and ESL Mobile competitions in Mandarin and various Chinese dialects.

Q: Which organization won the Six Invitational in May 2021? A: Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP), a prestigious Swedish organization, emerged as the winners of the Six Invitational.

Q: Where is Basecamp's gaming and esports training facility located? A: Basecamp's facility is located in Lodz, Poland, the country's third-largest city.