In The News
Iron Maiden filed a trademark lawsuit against Ion Maiden, “a 2018 first-person shooter indebted to the genre classics of the ’90s,” PC Gamer’s Shaun Prescott writes. “The holding company for Iron Maiden has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit to the tune of $2 million against 3D Realms, the publisher of Ion Maiden.”
Two organizations are challenging Blizzard Entertainment SAS firings, Variety’s Brittany Vincent reports. “Game Workers Unite International and the Solidaire Informatique union … made their intentions known in a joint press release regarding the 134 workers laid off by Activision Blizzard … ‘The local industrial unions have good grounds for suspecting a breach of labor law…’”
Google updated Play Store policies to “tighten rules surrounding sexual content, hate speech and loot boxes,” Engadget’s Mariella Moon reports. “Google now notes that games offering randomized virtual items for purchase ‘must clearly disclose the odds of receiving those items in advance of purchase.’”
Starbreeze requested a reconstruction period extension of 3 months, GI.biz’s James Batchelor writes. “Initially, it was granted until March 3, 2019 to prevent the collapse of its business but in February it requested an extension until the beginning of June.”
Total War: Three Kingdoms has sold 1 million copies since it released May 23.
Bossa Studios is closing Worlds Adrift, according to a Steam post. “We failed at making a game that could capture the imaginations of millions. Creating an MMO like Worlds Adrift is a huge financial commitment and unfortunately the game is just no longer commercially viable.”
Extra Esports News:
OverActive Media acquired “Madrid-based, MAD Lions Esports Club (MAD Lions E.C.) to its growing family of brands,” a press release reads. “The purchase of the MAD Lions E.C. establishes the OAM headquarters for its European and Latin American Team Operations facility in Madrid.”
Partnerships & Sponsorships:
Cloud9 and Puma are extending their sponsorship, TEO’s Ben Fischer reports. It’s “a multiyear deal to develop a full apparel collection, and claim the apparel/footwear category for the entire organization,” except for Cloud9’s Overwatch team, the London Spitfire.
100 Thieves and Cash App are partnering, Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch writes. “While not officially announced, 100 Thieves’ Call of Duty jerseys had Cash App’s logo on the sleeve at CWL London earlier this month, so a jersey sponsorship may also be part of the deal.”
ULT and DC Shoes are collaborating for “a set of ‘gaming lifestyle footwear,’ the collaboration will be made available to the public on May 30th,” Fitch reports.
IN: Paul “Hyper” Kontopanagiotis joined DarkZero Esports’ Rainbow 6 team.