Latest news with #LeagueofLegends
Los Angeles Times
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Esports World Cup Returns Bigger Than Ever - With $70M on the Line and a Vision for the Future
The world of esports is charging into its next era. With global revenues of more than $4.3 billion and growing, competitive gaming has never had more momentum. What was a niche scene just a few decades ago has grown into a global entertainment powerhouse, broadcasting live matches to millions, packing stadiums and producing household names out of digital athletes. But as esports matures, the conversation is shifting. It's no longer just about explosive growth or flashy prize pools – it's about building something that lasts for generations to come. And at the center of that conversation stands the Esports World Cup (EWC), returning this summer for its second edition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with an even bigger mission and a record-breaking $70-million prize pool. After a successful debut in 2024, the Esports World Cup is once again uniting top teams and players across 24 game titles, from esports staples like League of Legends and Counter-Strike to strategic newcomers like Chess. This year, the stakes are even higher – not only for the athletes competing but for the industry as a whole. A centerpiece of the competition is the Club Championship, which rewards teams for strong performances across multiple titles throughout the seven-week event. It's a format that encourages versatility and long-term team strategy, not just one-off wins. And it's not just prize money on the table. The EWC has also launched a $20-million Club Partner Program, supporting 40 esports organizations with funding for brand-building, content creation and fan engagement. Whether it's launching a new video series or building new communities around the world, the initiative is helping teams grow their presence well beyond the in-game action. To capture the full story behind the spectacle, the Esports World Cup is also stepping into the spotlight with 'Esports World Cup: Level Up,' a five-part documentary series now streaming on Prime Video with all episodes available to binge beginning in July. Directed by Emmy Award-winner R.J. Cutler (The September Issue, Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry), Level Up goes beyond the matches to follow the people behind them - players chasing their breakout moments, team CEOs making bold (and sometimes risky) roster decisions and coaches navigating the emotional highs and lows of the world's most dynamic new sport. The series paints a vivid picture of what it takes to compete on the global stage - not just talent, but teamwork, sacrifice and belief. The Esports World Cup is more than just another tournament. It's a platform for progress. It offers pros a path to career-defining prize money, gives teams new opportunities for growth and connects fans with deeper, richer stories from the games they love. 'Competing at the inaugural EWC contributed to one of the most successful competitive years in our 24-year history,' said Steve Arhancet, co-CEO of Team Liquid, which placed second in last year's Club Championship, taking home $4 million. 'With our winnings, we expanded into new games, strengthened our presence in Southeast Asia and supported philanthropic initiatives.' With over 2,000 players expected to compete for a record-breaking $70-million prize pool, the 2025 EWC promises high drama, unforgettable moments and a clear signal that esports is ready to move forward - not just fast, but smart. 'While more than $70 million is an incredible sum, it's always aligned with a long-term vision rather than short-term impact,' said Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation. 'It's not just to have more money at stake but to create opportunities for everyone at every level of the ecosystem and strengthen the industry for generations to come.' The action kicks off July 7 and runs through August 24. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the scene, the Esports World Cup is your front-row ticket to where the future of competitive gaming is headed.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
League of Legends LoLdle 1086: June 27 puzzle hints and full answers
Vi in League of Legends I Credits: Riot Games The June 27 edition of LoLdle was filled with classic challenges. The daily quote, 'Shaken, not stirred,' might've thrown many off, but if you know your champion lore, this one points straight to Singed. That line fits the mad chemist's chaotic personality. The rest of today's puzzles were also pretty interesting, and here's how they all played out. Full list of LoLdle answers for June 27, 2025 Classic: Syndra Quote: Singed Ability: Sion – R (Unstoppable Onslaught) Emoji: Jarvan IV Splash Art: Riven (Sentinel Riven skin) So if you were stuck guessing those symbols or powers, now you know. What made today's LoLdle interesting? Syndra returned as the classic pick, while Sion's ultimate ability made its way into the ability puzzle. The emoji was a bit of a trick, but Jarvan IV's icon gave it away with his crown and lance theme. The splash art showed off Sentinel Riven, which is one of her most popular skins. Check out past LoLdle answers June 26: Singed, Heimerdinger, Volibear, Camille, Bard Singed, Heimerdinger, Volibear, Camille, Bard June 25: Janna, Neeko, Aurelion Sol, Kennen, Renekton Janna, Neeko, Aurelion Sol, Kennen, Renekton June 24: Aatrox, Aurelion Sol, Yone, Seraphine, Singed Aatrox, Aurelion Sol, Yone, Seraphine, Singed June 23: Soraka, Rell, Milio, Vi, Vladimir
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
TimTheTatman thinks ‘Just Chatting' killed gaming on Twitch, says that 'IRL is king now'
(Image via YouTube/@TimTheTatman) Twitch was built on gaming, but is that still true in 2025? TimTheTatman isn't so sure. During a recent stream, he dropped a hot take that's got the internet buzzing: Twitch isn't a gaming platform anymore… it's an IRL content machine. With creators like Kai Cenat, IShowSpeed, and others turning streams into full-blown reality shows, the line between gaming and entertainment is blurrier than ever. Gaming Is Getting Drowned Out In a recent stream, TimTheTatman pointed out something wild: Just Chatting had 500K viewers… while League of Legends trailed at 100K and CS2 barely hit 85K. That's a huge gap. And Tim didn't hold back: 'You could argue that the biggest streamers don't even game that much anymore… IRL is king now.' And honestly, he's not wrong. A scroll through Twitch's homepage on any given day will show more people reacting to memes, hosting celeb guests, or debating drama than actually touching a controller. Twitch Is Dead IRL Content Is the New Rockstar Creators like Kai Cenat are practically living a mainstream celebrity lifestyle. Hanging with Drake? Check. Vibing with LeBron James? Yup. Hosting the BET Awards? You bet. It's not just Kai. IShowSpeed's global antics (from meeting Cristiano Ronaldo to setting off fireworks in his room ) rack up millions of views—without a game in sight. They've turned Twitch and YouTube streams into a hybrid of late-night talk shows, reality TV, and chaotic entertainment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nhà container với cách nhiệt và chống thấm hiện đại Visionary Echo Tìm Ngay Undo Gaming? That's just a side quest. Twitch's OGs aren't thrilled Tim's concern isn't just nostalgia—it's a wake-up call for the gaming side of Twitch. A lot of OG streamers and fans are starting to ask: Is there even space for 'pure' gaming anymore? Some say we're just in a dry spell. No hype titles, no crazy launches. A GTA 6 or a massive multiplayer hit could swing things back. But others think this shift is permanent. It's a mixed bag. But the trend is clear: people want personalities , not just gameplay. Is Twitch Dying or is it Just Oversaturated? Will Gaming Bounce Back? Gaming isn't dead on Twitch. Let's not be dramatic. The most-subscribed streamers still include tons of hardcore gamers. And even Kai's gaming marathons (like his upcoming Mario Bros. collab with Speed) still pull in massive numbers. B ut the energy is different now. It's less about watching someone sweat through ranked and more about seeing your fave creator in a boxing ring, or doing wild stuff with celebrities. TimTheTatman's take has sparked a debate that's long overdue. Twitch started with games, but it's growing into something else—part talk show, part reality TV, part chaos machine. Whether that's good or bad? That's up to the viewers. But one thing's for sure: IRL content isn't just a side hustle anymore. It is the main event. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Riot Games targets toxicity in League of Legends with new punishment approach
The ES Times — Toxicity in League of Legends has long frustrated players across all ranks. Now, Riot Games is taking a serious step to tackle the problem. Lead game designer Matt Leung-Harrison recently unveiled a major shift in the game's punishment system. As someone who's experienced the toll of in-game toxicity firsthand, this change feels overdue — but ultimately welcome. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Leung-Harrison laid out Riot's new philosophy: rather than simply applying harsh punishments, the goal is to promote better behavior through smarter, more targeted interventions. 'Our ultimate goal isn't simply to punish bad behavior,' he wrote, 'but to create a healthy, thriving environment in League of Legends that encourages good behavior and reform.' Behavioral notifications instead of harsh punishments According to Leung-Harrison, traditional disciplinary methods haven't effectively reduced repeat offenses. Instead, real-time feedback — such as behavioral notifications that let players know their actions are being monitored — significantly reduced toxic behavior to under 10%. This new system aims not just to penalize, but to educate and encourage players to reform, leading to more positive engagement overall. Smarter use of reports Riot also plans to refine how player reports are used. Many players misuse the reporting tool out of frustration, especially by mass-reporting entire teams — a move that undermines the system's reliability. 'If you just randomly report everyone,' Leung-Harrison explained, 'it reduces our confidence in your future reports.' Reports alone won't trigger instant action but will help Riot identify repeat offenders and apply escalating penalties when necessary. Dealing with the worst While most players can be reformed, Riot isn't letting the most toxic elements off the hook. Leung-Harrison noted that less than 0.1% of players consistently demonstrate abusive behavior until they are permanently banned. Some try to return via alternate accounts, but Riot is actively working to minimize their re-entry. 'We aim to give these players a permanent leave of absence from the game,' he added. A better League in the future Leung-Harrison concluded by thanking the community and Riot's internal teams for their feedback and patience. He reaffirmed Riot's long-term commitment to building a better player experience. 'Thank you as always for your feedback and patience as we continue to strive to make League the best it can be.' While challenges remain, this change in approach may finally mark a turning point for League of Legends — one focused on reform, not just punishment. Mehdi Belhamra – Esports and Gaming Writer
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
LoLdle hints and answers for June 25: Janna, Aurelion Sol, Renekton, and more feature in today's puzzle
LoLdle is the daily League of Legends–themed puzzle loved by fans worldwide. It tests knowledge of champions, their quotes, abilities, emojis, and splash art. If you're stuck on Wednesday's edition, use these hints and answers to finish today's grid. What Is LoLdle? LoLdle is a five-part quiz inspired by League of Legends. Each day you solve: Classic: Identify a champion by their silhouette Quote: Match a phrase to its speaker Ability: Name which champion has the shown skill icon Emoji: Pick the champion tied to the emoji Splash Art: Recognize the skin from its artwork Hints for LoLdle June 25 Classic (Silhouette): Airy support who controls winds Quote: 'Just yordling around. Is that what yordles say?' Ability: A cosmic dragon's E ability called 'Singularity' Emoji: A small electric yordle with stormy powers Splash Art: A desert-dwelling crocodile wielding a blade LoLdle answers for June 25 Classic: Janna Quote: Neeko Ability: Aurelion Sol (Bonus: E – Singularity) Emoji: Kennen Splash Art: Renekton (Bonus: Hextech Renekton)
