In The News
We’ve got some idea of the arguments EA and Epic Games are using in their meetings with the United Kingdom on loot boxes, PC Gamer’s Fraser Brown writes. “MPs quizzed lawyers and marketing executives in a strained, occasionally hostile meeting, touching on subjects like age verification and loot boxes … When asked about loot boxes, EA defended them as ‘ethical and fun’, and added that it doesn’t call them loot boxes. They are ‘surprise mechanics.’”
Magic Leap is suing a former employee it alleges stole technology to build their own headset. “Magic Leap alleges that Chi Xu, who left in 2016, exploited its confidential information to ‘quickly develop a prototype of lightweight, ergonomically designed, mixed reality glasses for use with smart phones and other devices that are strikingly similar’ to the Florida-based startup’s designs,” Bloomberg’s Peter Blumberg writes.
Tyler “Ninja” Blevins:
Is going to be a published author. He “has cut a deal to publish multiple books and merchandise with Clarkson Potter and Ten Speed Press,” VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi reports. “Ninja is able to bring his engaging personality and incredible gaming expertise to fans offline with a how-to-book, notebook, and a series of graphic novels.”
Ninja and artist Marshmello are also hosting a gaming and music festival in Las Vegas. Metarama “is being put together by C3 Presents, the massive and experienced organization behind Chicago’s Lollapalooza and its various international editions, as well as Texas’ Austin City Limits festival,” The Verge’s Nick Statt writes.
Sega’s publishing rights to Alpha Protocol have expired, Eurogamer’s Wesley Yin-Poole reports. “Sega has been in touch to say it still owns the Alpha Protocol IP, and to clarify the game was pulled from Steam due to the expiry of music rights.”
IN: Maria Sayans joined Ustwo Games as CEO.
Interviews: ESA Foundation’s Anastasia Staten (VentureBeat).
Extra Esports News:
ELEAGUE will host the first “Gears 5 esports event on July 13-14th. The ELEAGUE Gears Summer Series Invitational will see eight professional teams meet at the ELEAGUE Arena in Atlanta to compete on the latest release in the Gears of War series,” Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch writes.
The Esports Integrity Coalition is hosting a match-fixing summit, Gamereactor’s Sam Bishop reports. “The press release talks of an ‘alarming rise’ in suspicious betting over the last 12 months, with 74 alerts being received in 2018 alone, signalling a rise of almost 75%. Dota 2 matches showed a 100% rise alone.”
Dignitas is opening a “production studio and training center adjacent to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The 2,500 square-foot facility has a studio presented by broadcast platform Caffeine, as well as gaming PCs for Dignitas teams to train with,” TEO’s Andrew Hayward reports.
TV Azteca will become a shareholder in Allied Esports, Fitch reports. “TV Azteca will acquire $5 million (£3.96 million) in shares of Black Ridge Acquisition Corp., aiming to position Allied Esports strongly in the Mexican esports market.”
Partnerships & Sponsorships:
3N2 Game Gear and Full Sail University are partnering, Fitch reports. “Over the course of the deal, 3N2 will be the exclusive provider of jerseys, apparel, footwear, and accessories for Armada’s teams.”
HyperX and The Gaming Stadium are partnering, Fitch writes. “The Canada-based esports venue has welcomed HyperX as its exclusive internals and peripherals partner.”
Astragon Entertainment is sponsoring a Farming Simulator “League team, which will play as Astragon Hektar Helden. The first Farming Simulator League season begins at FarmCon 19 from July 27-28,” Hayward writes.
Call of Duty Rostermania information can be found here. Roster lock is tonight at 6 p.m. ET.
IN: 100 Thieves hired Jacob Toft-Andersen.
Happy birthday Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi!