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Tag: RTS

  • Evo changes hands as Sony exits and Nodwin takes control

    Evo changes hands as Sony exits and Nodwin takes control

    MUMBAI: The Evolution Championship Series (Evo), the world’s largest and longest-running fighting game festival, has entered new ownership and struck fresh partnerships that will steer its future through 2028 and beyond.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has sold its stake in Evo to Nodwin Gaming, backed by Sony Group Corporation, while signing on as a global sponsor until 2028. SIE will continue to support the fighting game community via PlayStation Tournaments and new products in development.

    “When SIE acquired Evo alongside RTS in 2021, our goal was to spotlight fighting game fans on a global stage,” said SIE svp and head of global partner development & relations Phil Rosenberg. “As we transition to sponsor, Evo’s momentum has never been stronger, with expansion into new regions.”

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & managing director Akshat Rathee said: “Evo was built on authenticity and passion. We will honour that legacy while opening the door for a new generation.”

    Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya, already a global partner, is investing in RTS, Evo’s co-owner and operator, and extending its deal through 2027. RTS chief executive Stuart Saw said the tie-up would “drive real transformation in the fighting game community through new opportunities, deeper connections and meaningful growth.”

    Evo’s global pull is surging. Its Las Vegas flagship drew players from more than 60 countries across 16 titles on a 14-acre floor, backed by brands including Chipotle, AT&T, PlayStation, Red Bull and Under Armour. Evo Japan at Tokyo Big Sight drew around 30,000, making it the largest in-person fighting game tournament in the country’s history.

    The festival will debut in Europe at the Palais des Expos in Nice, France, from October 10-12, with record registrations, and expand to Singapore in 2027.

    “Evo is accelerating from hosting renowned events to serving as a nexus point for fighting game culture worldwide,” said Evo general manager Rick Thiher.

  • Disney+ Hotstar to stream UK show featuring David Beckham on 9 November

    Disney+ Hotstar to stream UK show featuring David Beckham on 9 November

    Mumbai: OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar has debuted the official trailer for the UK original series, Save Our Squad with David Beckham. The series is set to premiere exclusively on Wednesday, 9 November at Disney+ Hotstar. The announcement was accompanied by four new images from the series.

    It is co-produced by Bafta and RTS Award-winning production company Twenty Twenty, and Studio 99, the global content and production studio co-founded by Beckham. Save Our Squad with David Beckham is a series that sees David Beckham return to his East London roots to mentor Westward Boys, a young, grassroots team who are at the bottom of their league, facing relegation. However, this isn’t just any league… This is the same league that Beckham played in as a young boy. Working with the head coaches, he’ll try to turn the team’s fortunes around.

    Beckham mentors the young squad, sharing stories from his own playing career, which spanned over 20 years and saw him play for some of the most successful clubs in the world, to help them learn valuable lessons about practice, ambition, and teamwork. Off the pitch, Beckham gets the chance to spend time with players and their families, learning about their lives, hopes and concerns and talking to them about the importance of collaboration, work ethic and community.

    In the trailer, we see the first time the squad meets David Beckham, with one member of the team quizzing him on missed penalties. For David, this role is about giving back, as we see him mentor the boys, give them inspiring team talks, and even get his boots back on to try to score a trademark Beckham free kick against our young team.

    Save Our Squad with David Beckham builds on the company’s commitment to source, develop, and produce original productions. Disney’s International Content and Operations team plans to create 60 local productions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa alone by 2024 as it continues to collaborate with outstanding creators and premium producers.