In the third episode of Behind The Sims, those topics are included:

• The Sims 4 Home Chef Hustle Stuff add-on pack,
• New content related to The Sims Mobile and The Sims FreePlay,
• New updates about Project Rene and information about new shopping opportunities.

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Defense Derby is an exciting new twist on the tower defense genre, offering four-player, four-way combat packed with strategy, mind games, and powerful synergies. Each round begins with a ‘bidding phase’ where players bid against each other to recruit fighter units and build their teams. Players then strategically place their units in their castles to capitalise on their unique abilities and fend off a series of monster attacks. The last player standing before their castle falls is declared the victor.

With Defense Derby, KRAFTON also introduces a new genre known as “Betting Royale”. This unique gameplay mechanic is based on players researching units and bidding in-game for the units they want on their team. Available in over 190 countries worldwide in nine languages including Korean, English, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Portuguese and Simplified Chinese, Defense Derby can be downloaded from Google Play, the Apple App Store and the Samsung Galaxy Store.

Defense Derby is packed with new modes and content to make the experience even more fun. As well as the core game modes of Derby Mode (PvP) and Blitz Mode (PvE), players can also try out Valley of Trials, where they must use fighters of the same race as the units in the dungeon. Other fun modes include Friendly Derby, where you can create rooms and play with your friends, and Themed Mode, which is available for a set period of time and has different rules each time. In addition to Themed Mode, there is also Ban Pick Mode, where players can ban certain units owned by their opponents before the battle begins, and Quest Mode, where the first player to survive the battle and complete the given missions wins.

To celebrate the launch of the game, there will be a series of exciting in-game events. During the launch period, all players will receive a ‘Welcome Pack’ filled with in-game bonuses, including 20,000 gold, a Rare Hero card, a Rare Unit card and a special castle skin. Players will have the opportunity to win prizes such as Legendary Unit Cards, Rare Unit Cards, Cubics, Gold and more through in-game events such as the Login Event, Lucky Draw and Event Store. Events will also be organised on the official YouTube, Facebook and Discord channels.

Sinchan Park, Director of Production for Defense Derby, said:

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eFootball Mobile Hits 650 Million Downloads!

In February 2023, KONAMI announced that the mobile version of eFootball had reached 600 million downloads worldwide. Six months later, the game celebrates a brand new milestone of 650 million downloads!

A campaign full of bonuses, achievements, challenge events and more kicks off on the 3rd of August to celebrate this achievement:

• A total of 450,000 GP, 150 coins, 3 chances to win Epic Chance Deals with login bonuses
• Opportunity to earn 360,000 GP, 90,000 experience points and 200 extra coins from all campaign events
• Possibility to win 300 coins on v.3.0.0 release by playing 50 games in total.

Whether you’re a veteran or a new user, there’s so much to try and win in eFootball throughout August and into a new year!

About eFootball

eFootball is the rebranded version of KONAMI’s popular PES series. This change adds a new football game engine, gameplay enhancements and makes the game “free to play” on all compatible devices! eFootball is a constantly evolving platform that aims to maximise entertainment and accessibility for football fans worldwide.

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Razer Nexus 3.0 Redefines Gaming Exploration

The Razer Nexus app becomes the ultimate gaming advisor for the Razer community, offering a hand-picked selection of games. On-demand video previews and carefully considered categories minimize the time between discovery and gameplay. This enriched catalog is now live for Android and iPhone users.

Updated User Interface

Razer Nexus users will now experience an improved user interface with new options for the Game Background feature, which brings an animated Dynamic Colour background or unique, hand-picked wallpapers for installed games. The update also introduces a Favourites Row for instant access to users’ preferred games and automatically launches the app when Kishi V2 or Kishi V2 Pro is connected to Android.

New Improvements for Groundbreaking Virtual Controller Mode (Android Only)

Virtual Controller Mode allows users to add Kishi V2 compatibility to touchscreen-only games. Nexus 3.0 offers significant improvements, such as support for MOBA games, X/Y camera axis reversal options, camera sensitivity control, unique key mapping for M1/M2 buttons, and removal of the Android Accessibility permission requirement. Razer continues to invest in Virtual Controller Mode for the massive increase in the number of games available to Kishi V2 Android users.

Optimised Gaming Performance (Android Only)

The update demonstrates Razer’s rigorous focus on performance and reliability with reduced power consumption for Kishi V2 controllers, automatic prevention of controller input when the device is asleep, improved app launch button consistency, and superior quality and reliability for captured videos and screenshots. Also, for the first time, users can now choose between HID and XInput controller modes with Kishi V2 Pro.

Razer Hardware Business Unit Senior Vice President Alvin Cheung said:

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Emotions can act as distractions in the realm of esports. Inability to control one’s emotions not only generates unnecessary stress but also hampers the ability to concentrate, resulting in subpar performance. This, in turn, can trigger further emotional reactions, creating a vicious cycle.

To prevent spiraling into such situations, it is important to step back and recognize that humans often tend to apply emotions to situations that could be approached logically. It is crucial to differentiate between emotional and rational thinking and prioritize the right aspects to achieve a clear and focused mindset.

Professional gamers acknowledge that mental factors play a significant role, accounting for 50 to 80 percent of the overall gameplay outcome. Consequently, successful gamers possess the skill to effectively manage their emotions. By practicing emotional regulation, players can significantly enhance their performance and gain a better sense of control, enabling them to stay focused on what truly matters.

Gamers often make the mistake of fixating solely on the task at hand rather than the execution, which leaves them susceptible to failure. The key is to concentrate on the present moment and the next steps to take during gameplay. When players achieve this level of focus, obstacles dissipate, and their decision-making becomes uncluttered by emotions. Improved focus ultimately leads to better decision-making abilities and quicker reactions, which are highly desired skills among gamers.

Emotional regulation acts as a shield, safeguarding gamers from potential stressors and enhancing their performance. It allows players to enter a state of optimal performance, commonly known as “the zone.” Sustaining a stable mood and remaining in the zone for extended periods directly correlates with maintaining high performance levels. To achieve this, it is crucial to disregard external distractions, such as spectators, concerns about others’ reactions, or the fear of making mistakes. Allowing such thoughts to intrude only serves to diminish focus and hinder performance.

To ensure continuous focus throughout the game, prioritizing mental training is essential. As a warm-up exercise before gaming sessions, Mia Stellberg recommends a technique that enables players to put their thoughts, fears, and worries into context and address them before commencing play.

Here is the a way to control your emotions from an expert:

This news is inspired from Olympics.com

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After this change, Zach Katz, who joined FaZe Clan in May 2022, resigned.

Anderson joined FaZe Clan in 2016 and is in charge of growing its esports section. Nowadays, FaZe Clan participates in 13 different games, such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, and Apex Legends.

FaZe Clan announced a financial loss of $14.04 million for the first quarter of 2023, which ended on March 31st, prompting the change in staff. The organization recorded a net loss as well as declining revenues and profits for the same time frame.

The second personnel move in recent months is the selection of a new FaZe Clan president. After serving for two years as the Director of Brand & Creative Strategy, the company promoted Matt “BK” Augustin to Vice President of Brand and Creative Strategy in March.

Lee Trink, CEO of FaZe Holdings spoke about the changes in FaZe Clan:

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Dylan will take over as CEO of Riot Games from Nicolo Laurent, who has served in the position for the past 14 years, including six as CEO.

Dylan began working for Riot in 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2014. Dylan was designated President of Riot after the company’s founders switched to co-chair positions in 2017. Dylan has been a significant figure in developing Riot’s strategy and advancing company’s culture.

The CEO transition from Nicolo to Dylan will take place over the coming months and should be completed by the end of 2023, after which Nicolo will stay with Riot in an advisory role. We’ll announce additional details about the leadership handoff once it’s complete, Riot Games said.

Both Nicolo and Dylan have messages for Rioters.

Nicolo’s message:

Hey Rioters,

After nearly 14 years with Riot, and almost 6 as CEO, I’m going to complete something that’s been on my quest log for some time: Later this year, I’m planning to step away from the CEO role to focus on my family. 

We just shared this news during RiotNow, and you can check out the VOD on Riotnet (video should be up an hour from now). But in the meantime, we wanted to make sure anyone who missed the stream doesn’t miss the news. So, I’ve summarized some of the next steps for Riot, including who will be taking the reins as the next incoming CEO.

I can imagine this news may feel sudden, but transparently, it’s a decision that’s been on my mind for a while. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a long and amazing journey with Riot. I joined the company when we were a 40-person startup in 2009, with the goal of bringing League of Legends to players around the world. And that journey has brought me here, serving all of you, as Riot’s CEO. It’s a story I’m very proud of, but if I’m being completely honest, it’s also been tough. Not the grind, the hours, the stress…I’ve grown a tank build, so I can handle that part. It’s really the personal trade-offs that have been hard and the sacrifices my wife and kids have made for my career, including all our expatriations. We’ve always been ok with this as a family, as long as we rebalance at some point. Now is that time. Especially since we miss France so much, and want to move back.

While this chapter is coming to a close, I don’t view this as an end — I don’t plan on joining another company or starting a new company. I love Riot, and I genuinely believe this is the best place in the world to make games… now more than ever. So I’ll stay at Riot as an advisor, for years to come, doing everything I can to help you win. But, I’m ready to hand the reins to someone new. To let someone who has been absolutely vital to Riot’s story, take the pen, and shape the chapters ahead. 

So, it’s my pleasure to share that Riot’s next CEO will be Dylan Jadeja.

There’s a lot of context on how we approached succession planning and why we eventually landed on Dylan as Riot’s future CEO. Marc and Brandon covered it all in the RiotNow, so I won’t recap all the details here. But, I do want to acknowledge the process. Riot has reached a scale where we knew we needed to undertake a more extensive assessment of our needs and of candidates. For the first time in Riot’s history, we looked both inside and outside the company to find the very best person for this role and for Riot’s next chapter. The succession planning process lasted about three years, and we met with a lot of incredible candidates. When it came time to compare notes, everyone – the Board, our advisors, the founders, our executive search firm, and myself – all had Dylan at the very top of their list. It was unanimous.

Now, I’ve had the privilege of working with Dylan for years, and I’ve learned so much from him. He’s a natural leader who will do everything in his power to unlock our creative talent to do their best work. He’s bold in his thinking and has always believed in the counterintuitive moves that have helped us raise the bar of what’s possible for players. 

One of his biggest strengths? Empathy. The best leaders for the future will be the ones who can lead at scale, with empathy, and Dylan is one of them. He’s genuine and humble in his leadership, but also unafraid to ask the tough questions to get to the best answer. 

But most importantly, Dylan has a strong passion for Riot’s culture and DNA. He appreciates what makes Riot special — great Rioters and great teams, who love players, and love games — and will make sure we keep evolving to always be the best version of Riot we can be. 

There are so many reasons why I fundamentally believe he’ll be the perfect leader to steward Riot over the next several years — too many for an email that I actually want Rioters to read. Just know, I can’t think of a better person to be the next CEO. 

We all know changes like this can create a lot of ambiguity, but I want to be clear in saying that Dylan and I both want this transition to be as smooth as it can be for Rioters. The actual handoff isn’t happening overnight. We are planning to fully transition by the end of the year and will share more updates in the coming weeks.

Please join me in congratulating Dylan, and I’ll see you next week at the Campfire.

-nicolo

Dylan’s message:

Thanks, Nicolo! 

And hello Rioters! 

We talk a lot about staying hungry and humble, and on a day like today, I must admit that “humble” does not sufficiently capture how fortunate I feel. I think we have all had the experience of being astounded by the talent surrounding us at Riot, but to be asked to lead this incredible group of people is a special honor and not something that I take lightly. I will do my best to make you proud. 

I’ve been here for more than 12 years, and in many ways, Riot is my home; a home I’m deeply invested in, fiercely protective of, and grateful for every single day. I feel fortunate every day to work with some of the smartest and most passionate people I’ve ever worked with — people who have taught me not only what it means to be a player, but to sincerely care for a mission that’s bigger than any of us. This passion and deep care for players is not something that I will ever take for granted. 

I’m also really proud of how far we’ve come over the years. It certainly hasn’t been an easy road — or a perfect one by any means — but collectively, we’ve accomplished so much for players. Through it all, I’ve been inspired by how we’re never afraid to take the road less traveled to stay true to each other and our mission. Every Rioter, at every level, carries a large sense of responsibility and ownership over our destiny. This is our super power. 

Today, as we start our next chapter, I’m more excited than I’ve ever been about our future. I truly believe that our success will depend on our ability to empower our creative heart while staying resolute on our mission for players, no matter how difficult the environment or the situation. As we face new challenges and opportunities, if we can stay true to this, I would bet on us to not only succeed, but to set a new bar for what’s possible for players. 

As we look to the transition, it would be disingenuous for me to suggest that I have all the answers and an action plan already defined. In fact, I’d argue that this would be inauthentic to who I am and how I work. Over the next few months, my intention is to use this transition window to listen and (re)learn. I want to engage with parts of Riot that I haven’t in some time, particularly on the product side. We’ve made a lot of changes in the past few years, and with your help, I’d like to take stock of where we are and get a deeper understanding of what’s working and what we can do better. During this period, I’m going to ask for your patience, your willingness to share perspectives, and an openness to new ideas. 

As CEO, it is fair to assume that I may do some things differently than those before me, but I want to assure you that the goal for us — together — will not waver. And that is to make Riot, unequivocally, the most trusted and authentic game company in the world… built by players, for players. The kind of place where people know that everything they play and experience from Riot will be amazing and that everything we do is focused on making it better to be a player.

With gratitude,

Dylan

The post Riot Games Have Announced Their Next CEO! appeared first on Esportimes.

The CMA clarified its decision by stating the fact that the deal is blocked mainly due to the effects it would have on the cloud gaming market.

The CMA said it blocked Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision because it was worried the merger would change the direction of the rapidly expanding cloud gaming business and limit future innovation and options for UK gamers.

The regulatory authority contended that Microsoft’s suggested remedies had “significant shortcomings” and, had they been implemented, would have needed CMA control. The CMA said that rejecting the agreement would permit market forces to continue working and guiding the growth of the cloud gaming industry

Microsoft criticized the choice in a public statement: “The CMA’s decision rejects a pragmatic path to address competition concerns and discourages technology innovation and investment in the United Kingdom. We’re especially disappointed that after lengthy deliberations, this decision appears to reflect a flawed understanding of this market and the way the relevant cloud technology actually works.”

Many had expected the CMA to approve the merger after it said in a statement it had made in March that one of its three main concerns had been resolved by fresh information. However, the decision represents a remarkable turnabout.

The UK regulator’s decision in February to provisionally reject the merger, citing concerns that it would lead to higher costs, less options or less innovation for gamers in the country, presented the first huddle.

Including the CMA, several competition watchdogs are looking into the deal. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit to stop the merger in December 2022 which was a foreshadowing of the deal’s intense regulatory scrutiny.

After Microsoft provided solutions to some of its original concerns, the European Commission, which is in charge of the EU’s investigation, extended the deadline for its investigation to May. In a few areas, like Saudi Arabia and Brazil, the acquisition has already received permission.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick expressed his frustration at the challenges and holdups in an email to staff that was made public, but he added that this was far from the “final word” on the purchase

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The event comes as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in September 2022 during The Next World Forum and Gamers 8 Festival in Riyadh last year between the two National Esports Federation to foster bilateral relations between the two nations and to explore opportunities for future collaboration and cooperation amongst Saudi Esports Federation and Thailand Esports Federation.

TESF President, Mr. Santi Lothong, said, “We are thrilled to host the first leg of the Esports invitational event with Saudi Arabia. The MOU signed between the two federations is an essential step towards fostering a strong relationship between our countries, and this event marks a significant milestone in the growth of the Esports industry not just only in Thailand but for Saudi Esports Industry as well, if not regionally in Asia but other parts of the world can adopt and replicate what both Saudi and Thai has historically achieved.“

SEF President HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud added, “This Invitational match is more than just a friendly competition – it’s an opportunity to shape our skills and exchange cultures. The esports industry is growing rapidly, and this match is a testament to that growth. It’s also a chance to bring together two diverse nations and foster a mutual understanding of each other’s skills, values, and cultures. Esports is an amazing way to bring people together and show how similar our lives are. 

Through this match, players from Saudi Arabia and Thailand can come together and show the world what it means to be a part of a global community.“

The event will take place in Pattaya City, Thailand between the 28th and 30th April 2023, and is an opportunity for Thailand and Pattaya City to develop its tourism industry with great international sporting event and attracts international tourists to the region as a major sporting destination. Pattaya City came in as co-host of this event due to its large and vibrant gaming community with the second largest number of gamers in Thailand, as well as the city’s potential to become a sports hub in the country, Pattaya City is an ideal location for Esports events.

Pattaya City Mayor Mr. Poramet Ngamphichet said “Our city of Pattaya aims to introduce a new sports trend and raise awareness of esports among the people, youth, students, and the community at large. By embracing the use of technology and leveraging its benefits, we hope to stimulate the economy of Pattaya and Chonburi. This event also presents an opportunity to foster stronger relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand, especially in Pattaya, while showcasing the potential of Pattaya tourism and creating more opportunities for Saudi tourists to visit our city.“

As the host of the first leg of this event, Pattaya City is proud and honored to welcome both National Teams and His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, of the royal family of Saudi Arabia and President of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), leading the Saudi esports athletes to attend this friendly match.

The athletes from both countries will gather in Central Pattaya Mall venue and compete and defend their flag in friendly matches in two popular game titles in the region: DOTA 2 and STREET FIGHTER V. The official friendly matches between Saudi Arabia and Thailand will take place on the 30th April 2023. The format will be a best of 9 matches for STREET FIGHTER V and best of 3 matches for DOTA 2. The athletes will have the opportunity to warm up before the official start of the friendly match. The warmup will take place on the 28th and 29th April with a format of best of 9 matches for STREET FIGHTER 5 and a format of best of 2 matches for DOTA 2.

In addition, a panel will be held at the venue on during the Opening Ceremony on the 28th April 2023, with representatives from both National Esports Federation Ms Rawan Albutairi, Senior Director of International Affairs of Saudi Esports Federation. Mr. Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn, Chief Executive Secretary of Thailand Esports Federation, and Mr. Boban Totovski, General Secretary of the International Esports Federation (IESF) will be our VIP guests panelists.

The second leg of the Saudi Thai Esports Invitational Friendly Match will follow and be held in Saudi Arabia. The event is an excellent opportunity for both countries to showcase their Esports talents and to establish themselves as key players in the global Esports industry. Both national Esports Governing Bodies are committed to promoting Esports as a professional competitive activity as well as to strengthen the ties between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Both federations believe that this event will contribute significantly to the growth of the Esports industry, and they look forward to future collaborations and cooperation, starting from the second leg of the Esports Invitational Friendly Match to be held in Saudi Arabia later this year.

Chief Executive Secretary of Thailand Esports Federation Mr. Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn concluded: “The Saudi Thai Esports Invitational Friendly Match marks a significant milestone for growth of the Esports industry in Asia, and is the first step towards fostering a strong collaboration between SEF and TESF as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two National Esports Federations signed during The Next World Forum and Gamers 8 Festival in Riyadh at the end of 2022, which will not only span tournaments such as this one, but also education, exchange of knowledge, technology and other fields pertaining to Esports. I am very much looking forward to seeing the display of skills and sportsmanship from both Saudi and Thai athletes in the upcoming friendly match, as well as to seeing the cultural exchange and friendships that will arise from this event.“

About Thailand Esports Federation (TESF):

The Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) is the official governing body for Esports in Thailand and is dedicated to promoting and developing Esports in the country. It was established at Thailand Esports Association in 2010 and official recognize by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport and recognized by the Sports Authority of Thailand in 2017 to become Thailand Esports Federation. TESF is committed to regulating and cultivating a healthy, positive, and sustainable Esports ecosystem that benefits players, fans, and the community in the Kingdom of Thailand and to share and foster multilateral relations in the region, continent and internationally.

About the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF):

The Saudi Esports Federation is the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia.

The federation’s activities are categorized into two complementary streams. The first stream works to develop all levels of competitive gamers, starting with the grassroots community level and moving up to professional esports athletes that can achieve global excellence. The second stream works to develop the entire gaming/esports value chain by catalyzing the industry and enabling talent.

Since its establishment in late 2017, the federation has organized multiple world-class national and international tournaments and events, attracted investment from local private sector actors and worked with international developers on opportunities in the Saudi market.

IESF Expands Female’s CS:GO Tournament!

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The offline round of the Gamers8 IESF Asian Championship will be part of Gamers8, the world’s largest esports and gaming festival and the ultimate place for elite esports competition and together with IESF will embark on the mission to unite esports stakeholders from all over the world. 

The online Asia & Oceania qualifiers are the first for this year’s WE Championships and will kick off an exciting several months of thrilling international esports competition. Qualifiers for the Americas, Europe, and Africa will follow. Each region will compete across six games: PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, CS:GO, Dota 2, Tekken 7, and eFootball. 

IESF Secretary General Boban Totovski said: “Thank you to the city of Riyadh for welcoming us and hosting the Gamers8 IESF Asian Championship. We are confident that the World Esports Family will have an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s top esports destinations. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Gamers8 and the Saudi Esports Federation and are looking forward to seeing the region’s best gamers go head-to-head in Riyadh.”

Saudi Esports Federation Deputy CEO Ahmed Albishri said: “The first Gamers8 IESF Asian Championship is a great reward for all Asian players. We are excited to host this tournament for the first time during the summer of 2023 at Gamers8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to show off the best skills and provide an unforgettable esports experience.“

IESF is committed to continuing its goal of promoting inclusion and diversity in the World Esports Family, with a record of 120 countries expected to participate this year and an expanded Women’s CS:GO Tournament. The WE Championships Finals will begin on August 24 and conclude on September 4, where the World Esports Champion will be crowned. 

About Gamers8 – The Land of Heroes

Gamers8 is the world’s largest esports and gaming festival and the destination for elite esports champions and gaming universe lovers. It’s the ultimate place to compete for glory and become a hero walking among the worlds of your chosen story. Located in Riyadh at the heart of Saudi Arabia, Gamers8 spans a period of eight weeks from July to September 2023, with new challenges and experiences unlocked every week. You can watch the world’s top esports teams compete for the highest prize pools, attend performances by global music artists, experience your favorite gaming platforms come to life, and learn the mysteries behind the creation of video games. Gamers8 is your world and it’s your adventure to choose.

About the International Esports Federation

IESF is the uniting body for World Esports. Founded in 2008 by nine-member nations, IESF is currently composed of 130 Member Federations across six continents. IESF brings together all esports stakeholders to achieve a united ecosystem for the development of sustainable and responsible gaming worldwide. The IESF WE Championships is the biggest multi-sport spectacle of esports in the world. IESF also organizes the annual World Esports Summit in order to support the highest standard of esports governance worldwide. You can reach their Twitter, Website, Instagram and Facebook from following links.

World Esports Championship Games Announced!

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