There's no shortage of funds in esports and yet organizations and group owners are finding new ways to draw not only interest but further capital. Artist Drake and NBA professional Michael Jordan are the latest celebrities to invest in esports. League of Legends 2018 is also well underway with the quarterfinals proving to be action-packed.
Europe pushes NA out of Worlds 2018
G2 went into the semifinal playoff against Invictus Gaming as the underdogs and the comfortable 3 - 0 victory for the Chinese squad only cemented that fact. While G2 attempted to switch things up and make plays happen, the European second seed just couldn't break through the IG onslaught.
While one European team was booted out in the semifinals, another succeeded. FNATIC had Cloud9 to contend with, the last remaining hope for North America, but even the veterans in the C9 squad couldn't hold back FNATIC with a decisive 3 - 0 victory.
FNATIC take on Invictus Gaming on November 3.
NBA athlete Michael Jordan invests in Team Liquid
Michael Jordan has made the switch from being an NBA athlete to an investor in esports, pouring in money to Team Liquid group owner aXiomatic. Jordan was joined by Declaration Capital to raise funds, allowing the group to further bolster its support in the esports industry.
The industry is set to continue expanding, drawing in more traditional sports faces as franchises are valued way above the original cost, like in League of Legends.
Caught in the act
What's worse than cheating in a video game? Cheating on stage in a $100,000 prize tournament, which results in getting your team both banned and dissolved in the aftermath. That's exactly what occurred during eXTREAMESLAND Zowie Asia CS:GO 2018 where Nikhil "forsaken" Kumawat of OpTic India was caught using a hack by administrators.
Organizers supplied the recorded clip on social media, showing the admin checking the player's PC and even attempting to restrain him. It's amazing how a sole individual can ruin the potential of an entire squad. Talking to AFK Gaming, Kumawat stated he wishes he could go back to the first day he played CS:GO and uninstall the game.
Drake becomes part of 100 Thieves
Initially founded by former Call of Duty professional gamer Matthew "Nadeshot" Haag, 100 Thieves managed to attract Drake and Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun as investors. The pair will join the company on its board and act as advisors for expanding the apparel line and forming a larger content team.
According to the Forbes report, 100 Thieves raised more than $25 million. 100 Thieves is in a strong position, largely due to Haag's vision for the company from creation, focusing on content and merchandise and a strong relationship with fans.
Upcoming live events
- League of Legends Worlds Grand Final - November 3, watch on Twitch.
What do you want to see in our Surface Duo 2 coverage?
Microsoft starts shipping the Surface Duo 2 on October 22, 2021, and our senior Windows reporter pre-ordered one. What do you want him to check out once he has the device in his hands?
Here's everything you need to know about the Activision Blizzard lawsuit
The lawsuit against Activision Blizzard alleging harassment, unfair pay, and a "frat boy" culture has rocked the video game industry. Here's everything you need to know about it, from the suit itself to the aftermath.
Microsoft's next big Xbox acquisition should be a mobile games publisher
Microsoft has its console platform on lock, but how can it grow from here? Mobile gaming is the answer, but Microsoft's efforts in this space, historically, have been a bit mixed.
Want accessories for your Secretlab gaming chair? Here are our top choices.
Secretlab gaming chairs are fantastic, but they're even more enjoyable when paired with some accessories. Here are our favorite ones.