Pixel P&L: The Real Value of Esports Degrees

Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, June 11. Today, we delve into the emerging trend of esports degrees, examining their value for aspiring professionals in the competitive gaming industry. We also spotlight popular streamer Ludwig Ahgren, who is venturing into game publishing with a new division aimed at supporting indie developers. Dive in for these stories and more.

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As the esports industry consolidates itself, universities rush to cash in with flashy new degrees. But are they really worth it? "A strong esports program should offer substantial industry connections and internship opportunities," warns Shefali Johnson, Chief of Staff at NODWIN Gaming, a leading South Asian esports company. "Without real collaborations with industry stakeholders, it’s just the blind leading the blind."

Johnson’s blunt assessment hits a nerve in the heated debate over the value of esports education. As colleges worldwide race to launch these trendy programs, the real question looms: Are they genuinely prepping students for esports careers or just jumping on the bandwagon?

The stakes are high for passionate gamers hoping to turn their hobby into a lucrative career. They crave more than just classroom theory—they need hands-on experience and valuable connections to break into this cutthroat market. AFK Gaming explores if your dream esports degree is a golden ticket to the industry or just another expensive piece of paper?

In a groundbreaking move for the content creation industry, popular streamer Ludwig Ahgren has announced the launch of Offbrand Games, a new game publishing division under his content studio, Offbrand. Revealed at IGN Live, Ahgren shared his partnership with Jason "Thor" Hall, founder of independent studio Pirate Software. The first title under Offbrand Games will be the sequel to Aether Studio's 2017 fighting platformer, Rivals of Aether.

Hall, committed to protecting indie studios, stated, "I've seen many indie studios getting crushed by publishers. I don't want this to happen anymore. I'm excited to lead Offbrand Games to ensure that doesn’t happen." Ahgren, known for his massive streaming presence, added, "The dream is for developers to focus on making the best game possible with all the time and resources, then I can hopefully show as many people as possible what the cool game they made is and have people play it."

Offbrand, founded in 2022 by Ahgren and Mogul Moves president Nick Allen, aims to revolutionize the relationship between content creators and game developers. Allen noted on LinkedIn, "Our goal from the beginning was to deepen creator ties to game developers and create mutually beneficial partnerships. Over a year in the making, we're bringing that vision to life." This venture marks a significant step for streamers entering the game publishing space, setting a new precedent for creator-driven initiatives in the gaming industry.

Google Faces £13.6 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Self-Preferencing and Anticompetitive Practices

Google is facing a £13.6 billion lawsuit filed by Ad Tech Collective Action LLP, accusing it of anti-competitive practices and "self-preferencing" in the online advertising market, which allegedly caused financial losses for UK publishers. The Competition Appeal Tribunal has allowed the case to proceed, with Google's legal director calling it "speculative." The lawsuit includes all relevant UK publishers unless they opt out, with no costs due to third-party funding. Claudio Pollack of Ad Tech Collective Action stated this case is crucial for addressing Google's market dominance. Google faces increasing regulatory challenges, including a recent loss to Epic Games.

Snapdragon Mobile Challenge Returns to Jakarta in 2024

The Snapdragon Mobile Challenge in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will return to Jakarta in 2024, featuring Asia-Pacific’s top teams competing for a $150,000 prize pool. The tournament will be held at the Britama Arena, Mahaka Square Mall, from August 2-4. Tickets are priced as low as IDR 10,000 (approximately $0.70 USD). This event marks the first live Mobile Legends competition in Indonesia since last year, when local team ONIC Esports triumphed. 

Revenant Esports Expands to Europe With New CS2 Roster

Revenant Esports, a leading Indian esports organization, is expanding to Europe with a new CS2 roster featuring top players NBK, adeX-, reiko, lauNX, and Nivera. The team will be based in Belgrade, Serbia. This marks Revenant’s global push, aiming for partnerships with European brands. CEO Rohit Jagasia emphasized the strategic vision behind this move, leveraging CS2’s significant European viewership. Revenant Esports currently competes in BGMI, Brawl Stars, and VALORANT, and holds partnerships with brands like Puma and AMD. The new CS2 roster will debut at the Skyesports Championship 2024, targeting qualification for the Shanghai Major.

MPL ID Partners with Ice Cream Brand Campina for Season 13 Playoffs

The MPL ID has announced a collaboration with Campina, introducing the new Tropicana Double Crunch ice cream flavor during the Season 13 playoffs. This partnership aims to engage young esports fans and enhance the tournament experience. Campina’s Sales & Marketing Director, Adji Andjono, expressed enthusiasm for the venture, noting the brand's commitment to connecting with younger audiences. Moonton Indonesia's PR Manager, Azwin Nugraha, also welcomed the collaboration. 

GameStop Reports 26% Sales Decline in Q1 2024

GameStop has released its financial results for the first quarter ended May 4, 2024, reporting a 26% drop in sales to $882 million, down from $1.2 billion the previous year. The company posted a net loss of $32.3 million, a 36% improvement from the $50.5 million loss in the same quarter last year. Hardware and accessories, which accounted for 57% of total earnings, saw a 30% decline in sales to $505 million, while software sales fell 29% to $240 million. GameStop did not hold an investor conference call or provide a current quarter outlook.

Did you know that the iconic Kingdom Hearts series was born from a chance encounter in an elevator? Back in the late 1990s, Disney and Square Enix were headquartered in the same building in Japan. One day, a Disney executive happened to share an elevator ride with Shinji Hashimoto, the brand manager for Final Fantasy. Their light conversation quickly turned into a brainstorming session, and an idea began to take shape. They envisioned a crossover game that would merge the magical worlds of Disney with the epic adventures of Square Enix's characters.

This serendipitous meeting was the spark that ignited the creation of Kingdom Hearts. With both companies on board, the project began to take form, combining the storytelling prowess of Square Enix with the beloved characters and worlds of Disney. Tetsuya Nomura, who had previously worked on the Final Fantasy series, was brought in as the game's director, and he played a crucial role in shaping the unique blend of action, adventure, and RPG elements that Kingdom Hearts became known for.

The first Kingdom Hearts game was released in 2002, and it quickly became a hit, praised for its innovative gameplay and heartfelt story. The series has since spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations, captivating millions of fans worldwide.