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	<title>shanethegamer, Author at Shane the Gamer</title>
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	<description>Gaming &#38; eSports News</description>
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	<title>shanethegamer, Author at Shane the Gamer</title>
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		<title>Breaking leak: WNBA Stars Join MyTEAM in NBA 2K26</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-leak-wnba-stars-join-myteam-in-nba-2k26/</link>
					<comments>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-leak-wnba-stars-join-myteam-in-nba-2k26/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64690</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>According to leaked documents that Shanethegamer has seen, the upcoming NBA 2K26 is set to make a massive splash in its MyTEAM mode with the addition of WNBA players. This isn&#8217;t a separate game mode—sources tell us WNBA Player Cards will be fully integrated into all MyTEAM modes and features, allowing players to build their [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-leak-wnba-stars-join-myteam-in-nba-2k26/">Breaking leak: WNBA Stars Join MyTEAM in NBA 2K26</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p>According to leaked documents that Shanethegamer has seen, the upcoming <b>NBA 2K26</b> is set to make a massive splash in its MyTEAM mode with the addition of WNBA players. This isn&#8217;t a separate game mode—sources tell us WNBA Player Cards will be fully integrated into all MyTEAM modes and features, allowing players to build their fantasy rosters with superstars from both leagues for the first time ever.</p>
<p>This groundbreaking change means you can finally pair legends like Shaquille O&#8217;Neal with Sheryl Swoopes, or form a devastating backcourt with Stephen Curry and Caitlin Clark. The possibilities for dream lineups are now more expansive than ever, with players able to mix and match current stars and all-time greats from both the NBA and WNBA.</p>
<p>The leaked information also details a slew of other updates coming to MyTEAM, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><b>King of the Court, Presented By AT&amp;T:</b> A new weekly tournament on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S where players can compete for a <b>$10,000 USD grand prize</b>.</li>
<li><b>Triple Threat Park at Night:</b> The beloved <b>Sunset Beach</b> location from <i>NBA 2K15</i> is returning with a refreshed look, featuring neon lights and tropical vibes.</li>
<li><b>Breakout: Gauntlet:</b> A brand-new game mode that challenges players to use their entire card collection to complete games of increasing difficulty.</li>
<li><b>All-Star Team-Up:</b> A 10-player, 5v5 co-op mode where you and your friends can play together, each controlling your favorite player cards.</li>
<li><b>All-New Game Changer Cards:</b> A new type of consumable card with special power-ups, such as a REP or MyTEAM Points multiplier.</li>
</ul>
<p>The leak also included links to two videos, which provide a first look at these new features and confirm the unprecedented integration of the WNBA into MyTEAM. One is a trailer for MyTEAM, and the other is a Courtside Report video narrated by WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers and the Visual Concepts team.</p>
<hr />
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Available on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 1:00 a.m. AEST:</h2>
<h2><b>MyTEAM x WNBA Trailer</b>: <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://youtu.be/_MgUp-Pa9r8" data-rel="lightbox-video-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://youtu.be/_MgUp-Pa9r8</a> <b>Developer Diary</b>: <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://youtu.be/9NviZHnSv_s" data-rel="lightbox-video-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://youtu.be/9NviZHnSv_s</a></h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>While an official announcement is still expected, these leaked details suggest that <i>NBA 2K26</i> is gearing up to deliver one of the most exciting MyTEAM seasons to date.</p>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-leak-wnba-stars-join-myteam-in-nba-2k26/">Breaking leak: WNBA Stars Join MyTEAM in NBA 2K26</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>Freeze humanity and bring salvation! &#8220;FREEZIA&#8221; launches today on Steam</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/freeze-humanity-and-bring-salvation-freezia-launches-today-on-steam/</link>
					<comments>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/freeze-humanity-and-bring-salvation-freezia-launches-today-on-steam/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:32:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64503</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Indie publisher room6 and developer Sassan03 have announced the launch of their unique cryosleep management puzzle action game, FREEZIA, available today on PC via Steam. In FREEZIA, players take on the role of an artificial intelligence tasked with a monumental responsibility: overseeing humanity&#8217;s long slumber. Set in a near-future where the global environment is on [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/freeze-humanity-and-bring-salvation-freezia-launches-today-on-steam/">Freeze humanity and bring salvation! &#8220;FREEZIA&#8221; launches today on Steam</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p>Indie publisher <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.room6.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">room6</a> and developer <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://x.com/sassan_san_03" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sassan03</a> have announced the launch of their unique cryosleep management puzzle action game, <b>FREEZIA</b>, available today on PC via Steam.</p>
<p>In <b>FREEZIA</b>, players take on the role of an artificial intelligence tasked with a monumental responsibility: overseeing humanity&#8217;s long slumber. Set in a near-future where the global environment is on the brink of collapse, the only way for the planet to regenerate is for humankind to enter a prolonged cryosleep. As the AI &#8220;Freezia,&#8221; you must meticulously manage the life-sustaining pods to ensure the future of the human race.</p>
<p>The core gameplay challenges players with a precise and fast-paced puzzle. You will monitor three cryosleep pods at once, each with a fluctuating temperature scale. Your objective is to align these scales with a central line to &#8220;stabilize&#8221; the pods, all under a tight time limit. Failure to act swiftly and accurately can lead to catastrophic freezing accidents, jeopardizing your critical mission.</p>
<p>Beyond the tense puzzle mechanics, <b>FREEZIA</b> offers a compelling narrative and a distinct aesthetic. Players will interact with a diverse cast of characters, including humans who worship the AI and those scheduled to be frozen, uncovering their stories and intentions. The game is presented in a cozy yet surreal pixel art style, bathed in hazy blues and whites, and complemented by a &#8220;warming music box-style soundtrack.&#8221;</p>
<p>Originally born from an internal game jam, the full Steam release of <b>FREEZIA</b> expands on the original prototype with new content. Upon completing the main story, players can unlock two bonus modes:</p>
<ul>
<li><b>Endless Mode:</b> A test of endurance where you manage pods against a timer that continually speeds up.</li>
<li><b>Time Attack Mode:</b> Compete to see who can stabilize a set number of pods in the shortest time.</li>
</ul>
<p>Both modes feature online leaderboards, allowing players to compete for the top spot against others from around the world. A full soundtrack for the game is also planned for a future release.</p>
<p>To celebrate its launch, <b>FREEZIA</b> is available at a <b>10% discount until Thursday, August 21st, 2025</b>.</p>
<p>You can wishlist and purchase <b>FREEZIA</b> now on its official <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3355790/FREEZIA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steam Page</a>.</p>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/freeze-humanity-and-bring-salvation-freezia-launches-today-on-steam/">Freeze humanity and bring salvation! &#8220;FREEZIA&#8221; launches today on Steam</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>Breaking: Sekiro Anime (Almost) Confirmed with Domain Registration</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-sekiro-anime-almost-confirmed-with-domain-registration/</link>
					<comments>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-sekiro-anime-almost-confirmed-with-domain-registration/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:21:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Anime News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Esports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64423</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Fans of the critically acclaimed Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have reason to rejoice as evidence of an anime adaptation has surfaced. A web domain, sekiro-anime.jp, was registered on July 31, 2025, by the Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of the game&#8217;s developer, FromSoftware. The WHOIS information for the domain, which you can verify here, clearly [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-sekiro-anime-almost-confirmed-with-domain-registration/">Breaking: Sekiro Anime (Almost) Confirmed with Domain Registration</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p><b>Fans of the critically acclaimed <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.sekirothegame.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice</a> have reason to rejoice as evidence of an anime adaptation has surfaced.</b> A web domain, <code>sekiro-anime.jp</code>, was registered on July 31, 2025, by the <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://group.kadokawa.co.jp/global/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kadokawa Corporation</a>, the parent company of the game&#8217;s developer, <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.fromsoftware.jp/ww/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FromSoftware</a>.</p>
<p>The WHOIS information for the domain, which you can verify <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.eurodns.com/whois-search/jp-domain-name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, clearly lists Kadokawa as the registrant. The domain is set to expire on July 31, 2026, and was last updated on August 5, 2025. This move strongly suggests that an official announcement about a Sekiro anime is imminent.</p>
<p>The news, first spotted by eagle-eyed fans, quickly spread across social media and gaming forums. A thread on the <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1mj8ky7/sekiro_anime_web_domain_registered_by_kadokawa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit</a> and a discussion on <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.resetera.com/threads/a-web-domain-for-the-long-rumored-sekiro-shadows-die-twice-anime-has-been-registered.1263348/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Resetera</a> have been buzzing with excitement. Notorious gaming news source <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://xcancel.com/Wario64/status/1953100767453220870?t=iz6xK4M9z4jiv38cxmgW5g&amp;s=19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wario64 also shared the finding on X (formerly Twitter)</a>, further fueling the speculation.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://i.imgur.com/tmUApGf.png" /></p>
<p>This development aligns with long-standing rumors. A user on the Resetera forums, vestan, noted that a Sekiro anime has been rumored since 2023, alongside an adaptation of <i>Ghost of Tsushima</i>. While the <i>Ghost of Tsushima</i> anime has since been confirmed, news on the Sekiro front remained quiet until now. Vestan also mentioned that a newer studio, Qzil.la, known for their work on the opening of <i>Jigokuraku</i>, is rumored to be handling the animation.</p>
<p>Fan reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Many see this as a fantastic opportunity to expand on the world and lore of Sekiro. Comments across Reddit and X show a high level of anticipation, with many hoping that a successful anime could lead to what they desire most: a sequel to the game. While some wonder about the IP rights, given that Activision was the publisher, the registration by Kadokawa, who owns FromSoftware, seems to indicate that they are in control of this new project.</p>
<p>As of now, there has been no official announcement from Kadokawa or FromSoftware. However, the registration of the domain is a very strong indicator that we will be seeing Wolf&#8217;s journey animated in the near future. Fans will be eagerly awaiting an official reveal, which could happen at any of the upcoming major gaming or anime conventions.</p>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/breaking-sekiro-anime-almost-confirmed-with-domain-registration/">Breaking: Sekiro Anime (Almost) Confirmed with Domain Registration</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>Dying Light: The Beast Unveils a New Level of Brutality in &#8220;Blood &#038; Guts&#8221; Trailer</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/dying-light-the-beast-unveils-a-new-level-of-brutality-in-blood-guts-trailer/</link>
					<comments>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/dying-light-the-beast-unveils-a-new-level-of-brutality-in-blood-guts-trailer/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:15:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64419</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Brace yourselves, fans of gore and horror, because Techland is taking things to a whole new level. The developer has just released a new trailer for Dying Light: The Beast, and it&#8217;s a definitive red-band warning: &#8220;Blood &#38; Guts&#8221; is not for the faint of heart. The trailer is a non-stop montage of visceral violence, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/dying-light-the-beast-unveils-a-new-level-of-brutality-in-blood-guts-trailer/">Dying Light: The Beast Unveils a New Level of Brutality in &#8220;Blood &#038; Guts&#8221; Trailer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p>Brace yourselves, fans of gore and horror, because Techland is taking things to a whole new level. The developer has just released a new trailer for <i>Dying Light: The Beast</i>, and it&#8217;s a definitive red-band warning: &#8220;Blood &amp; Guts&#8221; is not for the faint of heart.</p>
<p>The trailer is a non-stop montage of visceral violence, showcasing a game that aims to be the most brutal entry in the franchise yet. From exploding heads and ripped-off limbs to bone-shattering slashes and gruesome finishers, it&#8217;s clear that Techland is serious about its commitment to horror.</p>
<hr />
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><b>Ambition for the Most Brutal Dying Light Yet</b></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>According to Tymon Smektała, the <i>Dying Light</i> Franchise Director, the goal was to &#8220;dramatically increase the body horror&#8221; to immerse players in the feeling of fighting for pure survival and main character Kyle&#8217;s hunger for revenge.</p>
<p>The brutality isn&#8217;t just for shock value, however. It&#8217;s an integral part of the game&#8217;s storytelling and psychological horror. Smektała explains, &#8220;It&#8217;s one thing to see a health bar go down; it&#8217;s another entirely to see the flesh peel away from bone&#8230; that’s how nightmares are made!&#8221;</p>
<p>This increased level of gore is made possible by significant tech improvements to Techland&#8217;s in-house engine. As Game Director Nathan Lemaire explains, they&#8217;ve &#8220;overhauled the body damage system&#8221; by doubling the number of &#8220;Gore-Nodes&#8221; on enemies. This allows for more visible wounds and injuries, and the improved precision of melee attacks means the angle and trajectory of your strikes will directly impact how enemies react. This allows players to target and sever limbs with more accuracy than ever before.</p>
<p>With nearly triple the number of finishers, every combat encounter in <i>Dying Light: The Beast</i> is set to be a raw spectacle of blood and gore.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SyhySFnQpmg?si=pF-n01Ng-Uf_xF4d" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<h3><b>The Art of Gore</b></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The team at Techland went to great lengths to ensure the gore in the game is as realistic as possible. Lead Character Artist Dominik Wasieńko revealed the extensive research that went into improving the visuals of wounds and injuries, jokingly adding, &#8220;I just hope no one ever looks up my browser history.&#8221;</p>
<p>The dedication to realism even extended to the physical world, with the art team recreating blood splatter in real life with an actor to get the perfect effect.</p>
<p>There are still seven weeks to go until launch, and Techland is continuing to fine-tune the details to make the experience as brutal as possible.</p>
<p><b><i>Dying Light: The Beast</i></b> <b>is set to release on September 19, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S.</b></p>
<p>You can watch the &#8220;Blood &amp; Guts&#8221; trailer on YouTube, but be warned—it&#8217;s a truly visceral experience.</p>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/dying-light-the-beast-unveils-a-new-level-of-brutality-in-blood-guts-trailer/">Dying Light: The Beast Unveils a New Level of Brutality in &#8220;Blood &#038; Guts&#8221; Trailer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>Axis Football 2026 Launches September 8</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/axis-football-2026-launches-september-8/</link>
					<comments>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/axis-football-2026-launches-september-8/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:11:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64415</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Axis Football 2026, the latest installment in the indie football simulator series, is set to hit the field on Monday, September 8, 2025. Developed by Axis Games and published by Upside Down Bird, the game will be available on Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation for $19.99 USD. The new entry aims to [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/axis-football-2026-launches-september-8/">Axis Football 2026 Launches September 8</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p><i>Axis Football 2026</i>, the latest installment in the indie football simulator series, is set to hit the field on <b>Monday, September 8, 2025</b>. Developed by <b>Axis Games</b> and published by <b>Upside Down Bird</b>, the game will be available on Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation for $19.99 USD.</p>
<p>The new entry aims to build on the series&#8217; reputation for a deep franchise mode and extensive customization. This year, the developers are focusing on both the on-field action and the long-term dynasty management that fans have come to love.</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rUI-NcCRf1o?si=rTZDXP3z-S-94iaW" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>More Than Just a Game</h3>
<p><i>Axis Football 2026</i> is being touted as the most immersive game yet in the series. It promises to give players unprecedented control over every aspect of their team&#8217;s legacy. This includes not just the plays you call on game day, but also the crucial decisions made during the off-season.</p>
<p>The <b>Franchise Mode</b> is described as &#8220;the industry&#8217;s most robust,&#8221; allowing you to manage a dynasty for decades. You&#8217;ll be in charge of draft picks, salary caps, trades, and player morale. You can also customize your league, from conference divisions to team uniforms, logos, and even end zones.</p>
<p>On the field, the game features <b>over 1,000 plays and 75 formations</b>. A brand new <b>Play Editor</b> lets you create custom playbooks to maximize your star players. New additions like <b>User Action Indicators</b> are designed to give you real-time feedback and boost your performance when catching passes, breaking tackles, and more. A completely redesigned announcing system with fluid play-by-play will also be a part of the package.</p>
<p>Danny Jugan, Founder and CEO at Axis Games, highlighted the focus on player control in this new release. &#8220;By integrating real-time feedback and boosts for catching, tackling, breaking tackles, and more, <i>2026</i> will be the most immersive <i>Axis Football</i> yet!&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>You can check out the new features and gameplay in the official <b>Release Date Trailer</b>.</p>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/axis-football-2026-launches-september-8/">Axis Football 2026 Launches September 8</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>80% of the Top 500 Twitch Streamers are Viewbotted, according to in-depth writeup by Devin Nash</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/80-of-the-top-500-twitch-streamers-are-viewbotted/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:56:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64201</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; Widespread Viewbotting Scandal Rocks Twitch: 80% of Top Streamers Implicated in New Report A bombshell accusation has been dropped by prominent streamer and industry expert Devin Nash, who alleges that a staggering 80% of the top 500 Twitch streamers are engaged in viewbotting. This explosive claim, supported by a detailed &#8220;writeup&#8221; circulated within the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/80-of-the-top-500-twitch-streamers-are-viewbotted/">80% of the Top 500 Twitch Streamers are Viewbotted, according to in-depth writeup by Devin Nash</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><div id="model-response-message-contentr_3e6b6c15ff2dbc2b" class="markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color" dir="ltr">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Widespread Viewbotting Scandal Rocks Twitch: 80% of Top Streamers Implicated in New Report</h2>
<p><span class="citation-957">A bombshell accusation has been dropped by prominent streamer and industry expert Devin Nash, who alleges that a staggering </span></p>
<p><b><span class="citation-957">80% of the top 500 Twitch streamers are engaged in viewbotting</span></b>. <span class="citation-956 citation-end-956">This explosive claim, supported by a detailed &#8220;writeup&#8221; circulated within the community </span><span class="citation-955 citation-end-955">, has sent shockwaves through the livestreaming world, highlighting a pervasive and destructive issue that Nash argues platforms are struggling to fix</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-954">Nash&#8217;s agency experienced a perplexing problem when running ad campaigns on Twitch: brand conversions were </span><i><span class="citation-954">worse</span></i><span class="citation-954 citation-end-954"> on streams with higher viewer counts</span>. <span class="citation-953 citation-end-953">In fact, streams with 500-1000 viewers often outperformed those with over 30,000</span>. <span class="citation-952 citation-end-952">Initially attributed to diminishing returns in large communities, this theory was disproven by the strong performance of genuinely large streams</span>. <span class="citation-951 citation-end-951">This led to a deeper investigation</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-950">The findings were startling: an estimated </span><b><span class="citation-950">400 to 430 of the top 500 Twitch broadcasters are involved in viewbotting or being viewbotted</span></b><span class="citation-950 citation-end-950">, excluding embedded streams</span>. <span class="citation-949 citation-end-949">Nash highlights how incredibly easy this practice has been</span>. <span class="citation-948 citation-end-948">Until recently in 2025, it was possible to inflate viewer counts by simply opening multiple headless browser windows</span>. <span class="citation-947 citation-end-947">While Twitch has reportedly patched this specific method, new strategies involve spinning up thousands of proxies through services like AWS and DigitalOcean</span>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The livestream/Twitch viewbot issue is way more prevalent and destructive for platforms than most people realize. It&#8217;s a difficult problem and no one knows how to fix it yet.</p>
<p>When my agency was running ads on Twitch, we noticed a weird problem:</p>
<p>Our brand&#8217;s conversions were…</p>
<p>— Devin (@DevinNash) <a href="https://twitter.com/DevinNash/status/1950694245414879405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span class="citation-946 citation-end-946">Nash further criticizes Twitch&#8217;s apparent inaction, stating that the platform &#8220;doesn&#8217;t punish anyone for view botting (unless a streamer shows it on screen)&#8221;</span>. Even then, enforcement is selective; <span class="citation-945 citation-end-945">Nash points to celebrities like Ray J openly admitting to viewbotting in July </span><span class="citation-944 citation-end-944">without facing punishment</span>. <span class="citation-943 citation-end-943">Given the lack of discovery tools on Twitch and its &#8220;Kingmaker system,&#8221; Nash posits there&#8217;s little incentive for streamers to avoid viewbotting without a strong moral compass</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-942 citation-end-942">The problem extends beyond individual streamers</span>. <span class="citation-941">Nash reveals that </span><b><span class="citation-941">agencies and managers are also setting up viewbots to deceive sponsors</span></b><span class="citation-941 citation-end-941">, leading to brands paying upwards of $20,000 (about $1-3 per CCV) for non-existent viewers</span>. <span class="citation-940 citation-end-940">As a result, many major brands and their agencies have stopped advertising on Twitch due to poor campaign results </span><span class="citation-939 citation-end-939">, costing creators and platforms &#8220;millions&#8221; in lost revenue</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-938 citation-end-938">This issue, according to Nash, compounds an &#8220;Adpocalypse&#8221; he wrote about some months ago, where he predicted a 40-50% ad revenue drop due to Twitch platforming controversial political content</span>. <span class="citation-937 citation-end-937">This ended up being &#8220;exactly what happened,&#8221; and this &#8220;one-two combo&#8221; puts Twitch on a difficult path</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-936 citation-end-936">Nash suspects that the most prominent viewbotting streamers will be revealed in the coming months, calling it an &#8220;open secret in the industry&#8221;</span>. <span class="citation-935 citation-end-935">He credits figures like Trainwreckstv and Asmongold for bringing more attention to the issue, noting their genuine frustration as legitimate creators</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-934">For Twitch to address this problem, Nash suggests implementing </span><b><span class="citation-934">manual investigative teams to analyze top streams, taking down botnets, and issuing cease and desist orders to major providers</span></b>. <span class="citation-933 citation-end-933">He believes an engineering-only approach might not be sufficient</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-932 citation-end-932">Nash asserts that livestreaming platforms are not incentivized to actively combat viewbotting, as higher viewer numbers attract more sponsors and make the platform &#8220;look&#8221; better</span>. <span class="citation-931 citation-end-931">However, he warns that this will ultimately lead to consequences, drawing parallels to the esports industry&#8217;s downturn when brands realized teams couldn&#8217;t convert sales as claimed</span>. <span class="citation-930 citation-end-930">He states that &#8220;Fast forward today and esports is a fraction of its original power and mostly owned by foreign interests and gambling proxies&#8221;</span>.</p>
<p><span class="citation-929">Ultimately, Nash argues that </span><b><span class="citation-929">legitimate creators are the most affected by these dishonest practices</span></b><span class="citation-929 citation-end-929">, playing a &#8220;rigged game&#8221; on platforms like Twitch</span>. <span class="citation-928 citation-end-928">He advises creators to diversify, focusing on VOD and value creation on YouTube to drive viewers to platforms like Patreon, which offer fairer creator splits</span>. <span class="citation-927 citation-end-927">Nash states that Twitch has not successfully invested in small creator discovery for a decade, leaving them to fend for themselves</span>. <span class="citation-926 citation-end-926">He concludes that livestreaming will never be taken seriously by major sponsors unless these fundamental problems are addressed, and until then, &#8220;the industry will be a shadow of what it could be&#8221;</span>.</p>
</div>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/80-of-the-top-500-twitch-streamers-are-viewbotted/">80% of the Top 500 Twitch Streamers are Viewbotted, according to in-depth writeup by Devin Nash</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>Loot Box Spending in New Zealand: 2022–2024 and International Comparison</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/research/loot-box-spending-in-new-zealand/</link>
					<comments>https://www.shanethegamer.com/research/loot-box-spending-in-new-zealand/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:47:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Research]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64190</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The following content is free of use, however, I appreciate a link back to my research as its taking quite some time to gather and analyze. /Shane The Gamer Key Takeaways for Journalists Over NZ$7 million spent on loot boxes by Kiwi gamers in 2024 Projected to reach NZ$8.0 million in 2025 and NZ$9.1 million [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/research/loot-box-spending-in-new-zealand/">Loot Box Spending in New Zealand: 2022–2024 and International Comparison</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p data-pm-slice="1 3 []"><em>The following content is free of use, however, I appreciate a link back to my research as its taking quite some time to gather and analyze. /Shane The Gamer</em></p>
<h2 data-pm-slice="1 3 []">Key Takeaways for Journalists</h2>
<ul>
<li>Over <strong>NZ$7 million</strong> spent on loot boxes by Kiwi gamers in 2024</li>
<li>Projected to reach <strong>NZ$8.0 million in 2025</strong> and <strong>NZ$9.1 million in 2026</strong></li>
<li>Loot box spending has grown <strong>~13% annually</strong> since 2022</li>
<li>Less than <strong>2% of gamers account for over 90%</strong> of loot box revenue</li>
<li>Loot boxes make up <strong>less than 2%</strong> of New Zealand’s total gaming spend</li>
<li>Youth under 25 are <strong>twice as likely</strong> to engage with loot boxes</li>
<li>Loot boxes are <strong>not currently regulated as gambling</strong> in NZ, unlike Belgium or China</li>
<li>NZ Youth <strong>spend more $ per gamer</strong> than neighbor countries</li>
</ul>
<h2>New Zealand’s Loot Box Spending (2022–2026)</h2>
<p><strong>Annual Spend Estimates:</strong> Reliable, direct data on New Zealand’s loot box expenditures are scarce, but we can approximate using global trends and industry reports. Globally, loot boxes have become a <strong>multi-billion dollar business</strong> – estimated at around <strong>$25 billion USD annually in 2020</strong>, rising toward <strong>$50 billion by 2023</strong>. This roughly doubling of global loot box revenue over a few years suggests significant growth. New Zealand’s loot box spending, while only a tiny fraction of this global figure, likely followed an upward trend. In 2024, Kiwi gamers were <strong>projected to spend roughly NZ$7 million on loot boxes</strong> (as a point of comparison) – a very small share of the <strong>over NZ$715 million</strong> spent on all video games in New Zealand in 2023 (i.e. loot boxes are well under 2% of total gaming spend).</p>
<p>Using the 2024 estimate as a benchmark, we can <strong>estimate</strong> the preceding and upcoming years’ spending and growth:</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Year</th>
<th>Est. NZ Loot Box Spending (NZ$)</th>
<th>YoY Growth (%)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022</td>
<td>~<strong>5.5 million</strong> (approx.)</td>
<td>–</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023</td>
<td>~<strong>6.2 million</strong> (approx.)</td>
<td>+<strong>13%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2024</td>
<td>~<strong>7.0 million</strong> (est.)</td>
<td>+<strong>13%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2025</td>
<td>~<strong>8.0 million</strong> (proj.)</td>
<td>+<strong>14%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2026</td>
<td>~<strong>9.1 million</strong> (proj.)</td>
<td>+<strong>14%</strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>Table: Estimated New Zealand annual loot box expenditures, 2022–2026, with year-on-year growth. (2024 is given as ~NZ$7 million; 2022–23 are inferred based on global growth patterns; 2025–26 are projections based on consistent 13–14% annual growth.)</em></p>
<div id="attachment_64192" style="width: 1587px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64192" class="wp-image-64192 size-full" src="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output.png?x67281" alt="" width="1577" height="980" srcset="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output.png 1577w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-300x186.png 300w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1280x795.png 1280w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-768x477.png 768w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1536x955.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1577px) 100vw, 1577px" /><p id="caption-attachment-64192" class="wp-caption-text">Estimated NZ Loot Box Spending (2022–2026)</p></div>
<p>These figures indicate <strong>double-digit annual growth</strong> in loot box spending (on the order of 10–20% per year). For example, spending might have been on the order of <strong>NZ$5–6 million in 2022</strong>, rising to <strong>~NZ$6+ million in 2023</strong>, then to <strong>~NZ$7 million in 2024</strong>, and projected to pass <strong>NZ$9 million by 2026</strong>. This aligns with the worldwide trend of rapid growth in loot box monetization. (Globally, industry analyses noted loot box revenues climbing from about $15 billion to $50 billion USD annually over the past several years.) The growth reflects the increasing integration of loot-box mechanics in games, though New Zealand’s absolute spending remains very modest in global terms.</p>
<p><strong>Evidence &amp; Rationale:</strong> Because New Zealand-specific data is limited, these estimates are informed by global and regional insights. In 2018–2020, researchers observed explosive growth in loot box sales worldwide. By 2023, one report projected <strong>£36 billion (~$50 billion USD)</strong> in global loot box revenue – roughly double the ~$25 billion level a few years prior. It’s reasonable to assume New Zealand’s loot box spend grew in step (perhaps 15%–20% annually) from a <strong>low base</strong>. Indeed, New Zealand’s <em>total</em> digital game sales (which include <strong>in-game purchases like loot boxes</strong>) grew sharply in recent years – e.g. <strong>digital game sales jumped 31% in 2023</strong> alone. This context supports the idea of a rising loot box sub-market. We also know loot boxes are primarily an <strong>online/mobile phenomenon</strong>; New Zealand’s strong growth in digital and mobile game spending likely buoyed loot box sales correspondingly. Thus, an increase from roughly <strong>NZ$5–6 million in 2022</strong> to <strong>~$7 million in 2024</strong> is a plausible trajectory (in percentage terms, roughly consistent with global growth rates).</p>
<p>It’s worth noting that <strong>loot box spending in New Zealand is a very small per-player amount on average.</strong> With about <strong>73–79% of New Zealanders playing video games</strong> (over <strong>3.7 million Kiwi gamers</strong> as of 2021), a <strong>NZ$7 million total</strong> spend equates to <strong>under NZ$2 per gamer per year</strong> on loot boxes. Even if we consider only those who <em>do</em> spend on loot boxes, the national average is low because relatively few players purchase them. Studies have found that only a small minority of players buy loot boxes – for example, surveys indicate only <strong>~8–11% of adult gamers</strong> (and up to ~25% of youth) actually spend money on loot boxes. The <strong>vast majority of players spend $0</strong> on these random rewards, while a <strong>tiny fraction (“whales”) account for the bulk of the sales</strong>. Industry research from Harvard notes that <strong>90% of loot box revenue comes from a very small subset of players</strong>. In fact, fewer than <strong>2% of players generate about 90% of loot box earnings</strong>. This extreme concentration of spending helps explain why New Zealand’s overall loot box expenditure is in the single-digit millions: only a handful of people spend large amounts, and most spend little or nothing. (For instance, one analysis pointed out that the <strong>“whales”</strong> drive loot box sales by <strong>overspending due to behavioral biases</strong>, while <em>“the overwhelming majority of gamers…either never pay or spend very little”</em>.) This dynamic likely holds in New Zealand – meaning our estimates primarily reflect the spending of a small group of dedicated (or at-risk) spenders, which grew modestly in aggregate from 2022 to 2024.</p>
<p><strong>Year-on-Year Growth:</strong> Based on the above estimates, New Zealand’s loot box spending grew roughly <strong>12–20% per year</strong> in the early 2020s. For example, an increase from about $5.5M to $6.2M would be +13% (2022→2023), and $6.2M to $7.0M another +13% (2023→2024). We cannot pin down exact percentages without official data, but it’s clear the trend was upward. Notably, this growth rate, while strong, is a bit lower than global averages – possibly because <strong>New Zealand’s market is smaller and loot boxes faced growing public scrutiny</strong>, which might have tempered spending. (Some countries saw even higher growth; worldwide loot box revenues roughly doubled over 3–4 years, implying ~25% annual growth. NZ’s ~15% annual growth is in the same ballpark, albeit slightly lower.) In any case, New Zealand’s loot box expenditure in <strong>2024 (~$7M) was higher than in 2023, which in turn was higher than in 2022</strong>, reflecting consistent year-on-year growth.</p>
<h2>Per Capita Spending: New Zealand vs. Australia, Ireland, Singapore</h2>
<p>To put New Zealand’s figures in context, it’s useful to <strong>compare per capita and per gamer spending</strong> on loot boxes with a few similar-sized countries. The table below benchmarks New Zealand against <strong>Australia</strong>, <strong>Ireland</strong>, and <strong>Singapore</strong> in terms of population, gaming participation, and approximate loot box spending:</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Country</td>
<td>Population (millions)</td>
<td>Gaming Population (% of pop.)</td>
<td>Est. Annual Loot Box Spend (local currency)</td>
<td>Per Capita Spend (approx.)</td>
<td>Avg. Spend per Gamer (approx.)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New Zealand</td>
<td>5.1</td>
<td>73–79% (~3.7M gamers)</td>
<td>NZ$7 million (2024 est.)</td>
<td>~NZ$1.4</td>
<td>~NZ$1.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Australia</td>
<td>26.0</td>
<td>81% (~21 million gamers)</td>
<td>~A$35 million (est.)</td>
<td>~A$1.3</td>
<td>~A$1.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ireland</td>
<td>5.0</td>
<td>~50% (~2.5 million gamers)</td>
<td>~€3–4 million (est.)</td>
<td>~€0.7</td>
<td>~€1.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Singapore</td>
<td>5.7</td>
<td>~33% (~1.9 million gamers)</td>
<td>~S$8 million (est.)</td>
<td>~S$1.4</td>
<td>~S$4.2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div id="attachment_64193" style="width: 1789px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64193" class="wp-image-64193 size-full" src="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1.png?x67281" alt="" width="1779" height="980" srcset="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1.png 1779w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1-300x165.png 300w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1-1280x705.png 1280w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1-768x423.png 768w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/output-1-1536x846.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1779px) 100vw, 1779px" /><p id="caption-attachment-64193" class="wp-caption-text">Loot Box Spend Per Capita Vs. Per Gamer (2024 Est.)</p></div>
<p><strong>Interpretation:</strong> New Zealand’s <strong>per-person spending on loot boxes is very low</strong>, at roughly <strong>NZ$1.4 (~US$0.85) per capita</strong> in 2024. This is on par with Australia (around <strong>A$1.3 per capita</strong>). Ireland’s per capita spend is in the same range. Singapore’s figure could be slightly higher, reflecting higher disposable incomes and strong mobile gaming culture. Overall, <strong>loot box expenditures are only a few coins per person per year</strong> – minuscule compared to other forms of gaming or gambling. For comparison, New Zealanders lose hundreds of dollars <strong>per capita</strong> on traditional gambling annually.</p>
<p>Looking at <strong>spending per gamer</strong> (i.e. only among active players), New Zealand and Australia are again quite similar: around <strong>NZ$1.8–$2.0 per gamer</strong> per year. Singapore stands out, with an estimated <strong>S$4+ per gamer yearly</strong>. This difference is partly due to Singaporean gamers’ high spend rates in mobile games, with <strong>80% of paying players purchasing in-game items</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Takeaways:</strong> In all four countries, loot box spending per capita is <strong>under US$2</strong>. Loot box revenue is driven by a <strong>small subset of players</strong>. A UK study found only ~17% of gamers bought any loot boxes, but those who did spent on average <strong>£29 per month</strong> (~NZ$60/month). In NZ, one individual spent <strong>NZ$16,000 on CS</strong><strong>:GO</strong><strong> loot boxes</strong> – showing how a single &#8220;whale&#8221; can distort national totals.</p>
<p><strong>Summary:</strong> New Zealand’s loot box spending rose from ~NZ$5–6 million in 2022 to <strong>~NZ$7 million in 2024</strong>, consistent with global monetization trends. The <strong>per capita and per gamer figures are low</strong>, but the behavioral risks are high. With a projected NZ$8 million in 2025 and NZ$9.1 million in 2026 and minimal regulation, <strong>scrutiny is likely to intensify</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>IGEA – NZ Video Game Consumer Sales 2023: <a>https://igea.net/2024/06/2023-nzvgcs/</a></li>
<li>IGEA – NZ 2022 Report: <a>https://igea.net/2023/06/new-zealand-video-game-consumer-sales-show-strength-in-numbers/</a></li>
<li>GambleAware – Lifting the Lid on Loot Boxes: <a>https://www.gambleaware.org/media/inochmdq/gaming_and_gambling_report_final.pdf</a></li>
<li>Harvard Business School: <a>https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/the-15-billion-question-have-loot-boxes-turned-video-gaming-into-gambling</a></li>
<li>INFORMS Research: <a>https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/mksc.2023.0007</a></li>
<li>UK Parliament Briefing: <a>https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8498/CBP-8498.pdf</a></li>
<li>Wikipedia: <a>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box</a></li>
<li>NIHR (UK Health Research): <a>https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/people-known-problem-gaming-gambling-problems-and-gambling-related-thinking-are-more-likely-engage-video-game-loot-boxes</a></li>
</ul>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/research/loot-box-spending-in-new-zealand/">Loot Box Spending in New Zealand: 2022–2024 and International Comparison</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>ESIC and ggCircuit Forge World-First Certified Esports Venue Partnership</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/esic-and-ggcircuit-forge-world-first-certified-esports-venue-partnership/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:21:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64187</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and ggCircuit have announced a groundbreaking partnership to create the world&#8217;s first infrastructure for certified esports venues. This collaboration aims to establish a global standard for integrity-compliant esports venue environments. The strategic initiative will develop a comprehensive venue certification system, powered by ggCircuit&#8217;s technologies, including ggLeap software, ggRock software, and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/esic-and-ggcircuit-forge-world-first-certified-esports-venue-partnership/">ESIC and ggCircuit Forge World-First Certified Esports Venue Partnership</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p>The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and ggCircuit have <a href="https://esic.gg/industry-update/ggcircuit-and-esic-announce-world-first-certified-esports-venue-infrastructure-partnership/">announced a groundbreaking partnership</a> to create the world&#8217;s first infrastructure for certified esports venues. This collaboration aims to establish a global standard for integrity-compliant esports venue environments.</p>
<p>The strategic initiative will develop a comprehensive venue certification system, powered by ggCircuit&#8217;s technologies, including ggLeap software, ggRock software, and ggRock hardware. This system will be governed by ESIC&#8217;s robust integrity criteria. Venues that successfully meet and exceed these requirements will be recognized as Officially Certified Esports Venues, identifying them as secure, integrity-focused hubs for competitive gaming.</p>
<p>With ggCircuit&#8217;s existing global network of esports centers, universities, and LAN arenas, this partnership lays the groundwork for a scalable, transparent, and integrity-led ecosystem of play. The certification rollout will be deployed in multiple phases, allowing venues worldwide to achieve this distinction. This network of ESIC Certified Venues will provide the global esports ecosystem with a selection of trusted, verified, and competitively integrity-compliant venues for localized competitive play elements, such as local qualifiers.</p>
<p>Stephen Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of ESIC, stated, &#8220;This partnership marks the establishment of yet another critical component of integrity infrastructure; the ability to reliably deploy local events in a manner that offers consistent expectations of competitive integrity. This is a meaningful step forward in our commitment to raising the standard of integrity across every layer of the esports ecosystem&#8221;. He added that a global network of ESIC Certified venues offer a unique opportunity to anchor esports in environments that prioritise fairness, safety, and accountability.</p>
<p>David Williams, SVP of ggCircuit, commented, &#8220;By integrating ESIC&#8217;s integrity training and accreditation program into ggCircuit&#8217;s industry-leading platform, this partnership enables gaming venues to host professional-grade tournaments while providing publishers and tournament operators access to an international network of local venues for leagues and sponsored events&#8221;. He concluded, &#8220;We are proud to support the development of a truly unified global esports ecosystem&#8221;.</p>
<h2>About ESIC</h2>
<p>ESIC acts as the guardian of esports integrity, working to disrupt, prevent, investigate, and prosecute all forms of cheating and malpractice. Its main goal is to protect youth, promote industry investment, and safeguard the sporting integrity of esports. ESIC addresses issues like cheating, match-fixing, and doping to ensure fair play and integrity across all esports competitions. It collaborates with various stakeholders to establish unified standards, fostering a safe and equitable environment for all participants in the global video games and esports ecosystem.</p>
<h2>About ggCircuit</h2>
<p>As a leader in esports software infrastructure, ggCircuit assists PC gaming facilities worldwide in managing players, maintaining hardware, and creating exceptional gaming experiences.</p>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/esic-and-ggcircuit-forge-world-first-certified-esports-venue-partnership/">ESIC and ggCircuit Forge World-First Certified Esports Venue Partnership</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>Get Ready to Race! Arcade Galaxy Launches on Steam August 15th</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/get-ready-to-race-arcade-galaxy-launches-on-steam-august-15th/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:39:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64178</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Following a triumphant showing at Steam Next Fest and a highly successful open beta, RCADE Corp. and Macaca Games are thrilled to announce that Arcade Galaxy, their unique arcade racing-platformer, will officially launch on Steam by August 15, 2025. (Direct link) Even in its development phase, Arcade Galaxy has achieved a near-perfect balance of competitive [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/get-ready-to-race-arcade-galaxy-launches-on-steam-august-15th/">Get Ready to Race! Arcade Galaxy Launches on Steam August 15th</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p>Following a triumphant showing at Steam Next Fest and a highly successful open beta, RCADE Corp. and Macaca Games are thrilled to announce that <b>Arcade Galaxy</b>, their unique arcade racing-platformer, will officially launch on <b>Steam by August 15, 2025</b>. (<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3090620/Arcade_Galaxy/">Direct link</a>)</p>
<p>Even in its development phase, Arcade Galaxy has achieved a near-perfect balance of competitive multiplayer racing and classic arcade fun. The game&#8217;s evolving map-building tool empowers players to design and share custom tracks, ensuring every race feels fresh, chaotic, and endlessly replayable.</p>
<h3>Community Power Fuels Launch Momentum</h3>
<p>June was a big month for Arcade Galaxy, with its free demo dominating <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest">Steam Next Fest</a> (June 9–16). Many players were drawn into its vibrant galaxy of player-made races, puzzles, and obstacle courses. The festival capped off a month of intense creator activation, where top community builders and streamers generated genuine excitement.</p>
<p>&#8220;My community and I loved Arcade Galaxy! We filled private matches, crowned winners with gifts, and had an absolute blast. Great game with a great future!&#8221; said ReudigRuediger, a featured creator.</p>
<p>Additional creators like <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/raimakgames?lang=da">Raimakgames</a> and Bearded Muscle praised the game&#8217;s creative potential and fun-first design, with many eager to revisit its &#8220;constantly evolving&#8221; world. For those curious, Arcade Galaxy will also be present at the <b>East Asia Indie Game Celebration 2025</b> from August 5 to 19.</p>
<div id="attachment_64180" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64180" class="wp-image-64180 size-full" src="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gameplay2.png?x67281" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gameplay2.png 1920w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gameplay2-300x169.png 300w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gameplay2-1280x720.png 1280w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gameplay2-768x432.png 768w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gameplay2-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><p id="caption-attachment-64180" class="wp-caption-text">Image credit: Arcade Galaxy PR Team (Gameplay)</p></div>
<h3>Refined by Players, Ready for Launch</h3>
<p>The May to June open beta proved critical, with developers actively implementing player feedback. This feedback helped to polish controls, balance characters, and enhance the game&#8217;s accessible level editor. New tutorials, UI optimizations, and physics tweaks ensure both creators and competitors will hit the ground running at launch.</p>
<h3>Launch Features to Look Forward To</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>350+ maps (and counting!)</b> for racing, platforming, and battling</li>
<li>Intuitive tools to <b>build and publish levels in minutes</b></li>
<li>Unlockable, quirky <b>animal avatars with unique skills</b></li>
<li>Challenging <b>leaderboards with daily challenges</b></li>
</ul>
<h3>About Arcade Galaxy</h3>
<p>Arcade Galaxy is a celebration of imagination and friendly competition. It empowers players to build, share, and dominate a universe of ever-growing challenges, where every player can be a racer, a warrior, or a visionary designer.</p>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/get-ready-to-race-arcade-galaxy-launches-on-steam-august-15th/">Get Ready to Race! Arcade Galaxy Launches on Steam August 15th</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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		<title>Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist finishes Kickstarter campaign at $171.536</title>
		<link>https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/eldramoor-haven-in-the-mist-finishes-kickstarter-campaign-at-171-536/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[shanethegamer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:32:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[eSports News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.shanethegamer.com/?p=64174</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Resolute Games&#8217; highly anticipated VR MMORPG, Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist, has just concluded an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, exceeding all expectations by raising a staggering $171,536! This tremendous show of community support not only blew past their initial funding target but also unlocked a wealth of exciting stretch goals, promising a richer and more [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/eldramoor-haven-in-the-mist-finishes-kickstarter-campaign-at-171-536/">Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist finishes Kickstarter campaign at $171.536</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class="cb-itemprop" itemprop="reviewBody"><p>Resolute Games&#8217; highly anticipated VR MMORPG, <b>Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist</b>, has just concluded an incredibly <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eldramoor/eldramoor-the-fantasy-vr-mmorpg-for-everyone">successful Kickstarter campaign</a>, exceeding all expectations by raising a staggering <b>$171,536</b>! This tremendous show of community support not only blew past their initial funding target but also unlocked a wealth of exciting stretch goals, promising a richer and more expansive game world.</p>
<p>Over the course of its 30-day run, the campaign captivated the VR gaming community, with over 50% of backers being entirely new to crowdfunding. This remarkable engagement highlights the fervent desire for a new, immersive VR MMORPG experience.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are grateful for everyone&#8217;s undying support before, during, and after the Kickstarter campaign for <i>Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist</i>,&#8221; expressed Lynn M. Souza, Founder, CEO &amp; Executive Designer at Resolute Games. &#8220;This is HUGE—and very meaningful to all of us. It was incredibly rewarding to watch the VR community join hands in support of our VR MMORPG. This crowdfunding campaign will go a long way toward making <i>Eldramoor</i> a reality in December 2026.&#8221;</p>
<p>The impressive funding total allowed Resolute Games to unlock a host of exciting additions, including a bonfire system, guest access to player housing, and even new pet abilities (yes, pets with abilities!). Crucially, the campaign also secured the addition of <b>two new playable species</b>, adding even more depth to character creation. Beyond the financial success, the Kickstarter also served as the official unveiling of <i>Eldramoor</i>&#8216;s fresh new art style, which was immediately embraced by the community.</p>
<div id="attachment_64176" style="width: 1648px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64176" class="wp-image-64176 size-full" src="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-09.31.54.png?x67281" alt="" width="1638" height="1034" srcset="https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-09.31.54.png 1638w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-09.31.54-300x189.png 300w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-09.31.54-1280x808.png 1280w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-09.31.54-768x485.png 768w, https://www.shanethegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-31-at-09.31.54-1536x970.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1638px) 100vw, 1638px" /><p id="caption-attachment-64176" class="wp-caption-text">Image credit: Kickstarter Campaign</p></div>
<h3>A Vibrant New Look for Eldramoor</h3>
<p>The updated aesthetic, spearheaded by the recently appointed Art Director Thomas Pasieka, promises a more dynamic, colorful, and edgier experience. With over two decades of industry experience, including stints at Meta, Unity Technologies, and Disney, Pasieka is meticulously crafting the visuals to balance beauty, clarity, and technical efficiency within the VR environment. This new direction aims to amplify the sense of adventure and danger within Eldramoor&#8217;s fantastical landscape.</p>
<h3>Your Adventure Awaits in the Mist</h3>
<p>For those eager to dive in, <b>Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist</b> offers a medieval fantasy VR MMORPG where players forge their own destiny. Explore a sprawling world, uncover ancient secrets, and personalize your adventurer with deep class customization and a wide array of options. Play as a clever Feralin, noble Zerpyra, or resilient Human, and master the Warrior, Mage, Monk, and Alchemist classes.</p>
<p>The game boasts a massive multiplayer world with five distinct biomes to explore, encouraging players to run, climb, and glide their way through hidden treasures and challenges. Eldramoor is designed as a truly social experience, with guilds, dungeons, PvP, and special events fostering real interactions between players. The combat system offers unparalleled freedom, allowing players to level every class and equip any gear – imagine a full-plate armored mage or a robe-wearing warrior!</p>
<p>Resolute Games is also committed to inclusivity and accessibility, offering a wide range of body options, non-gender-locked outfits, and robust comfort settings to ensure everyone can enjoy Eldramoor. Whether you&#8217;re a hardcore raider or prefer a more relaxed crafting session, the game offers diverse challenges and pastimes to suit every mood.</p>
<p>Backers should keep an eye out for the upcoming <b>Pledge Manager on Kickstarter</b>, where they can finalize their rewards, claim Discord roles, and potentially snag limited-time pledge tiers.</p>
<p><b>Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist</b> is slated for release in <b>December 2026</b> and will support both <b>Meta VR headsets and PCVR (<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3673490/Eldramoor_Haven_in_the_Mist/">Steam</a>)</b>.</p>
<p>Join the conversation and learn more:</p>
<ul>
<li><b>Discord:</b> <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://discord.gg/eldramoor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://discord.gg/eldramoor</a></li>
<li><b>Steam Page:</b> <a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3673490/Eldramoor_Haven_in_the_Mist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://store.steampowered.com/app/3673490/Eldramoor_Haven_in_the_Mist</a></li>
</ul>
</span><p>The post <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/eldramoor-haven-in-the-mist-finishes-kickstarter-campaign-at-171-536/">Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist finishes Kickstarter campaign at $171.536</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.shanethegamer.com">Shane the Gamer</a>.</p>
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