💎 Shotcall: A New Way to Predict VCT Matches
PLUS: Riot Games' $200M Investment in VALORANT Mobile China
Hey esports pros,
we’ve got a packed week of news for you, covering some major moves in the esports world. We're talking big money, big names, and big predictions.
First off, Riot Games is making some serious moves with a massive $200M investment into Valorant Mobile esports in China, setting up for a huge launch. Speaking of Valorant, we’re also diving into who the standout rookie Meiy is and checking in on 100 Thieves’ brand new Game Changers roster.
But Valorant isn't the only game making headlines. The legendary Deadmau5 is teaming up with Rocket League for its 10th anniversary, bringing some fresh beats to the game. On the competitive side, Team Spirit is climbing the CS2 rankings.
And for those of you keeping an eye on the business side, we’ve got news on Oddin.gg getting the green light for esports betting in Buenos Aires, highlighting the continued expansion of the industry. We'll also break down the new "Shotcall" Twitch extension for Valorant that lets fans make real-time predictions. So grab your coffee, let's get into it.
LATEST NEWS
VALORANT
🔮 Shotcall: A New Way to Predict VCT Matches
Image source: Riot Games
The Player: VALORANT Esports has launched a new Twitch extension called "Shotcall" to gamify the live match experience for fans. This feature allows viewers to make real-time predictions on key moments during VCT (VALORANT Champions Tour) matches. By making accurate predictions, fans can earn points and climb a leaderboard. This new interactive element aims to deepen viewer engagement and excitement while watching professional Valorant matches on official Twitch channels. The introduction of Shotcall marks an effort to innovate the esports viewing experience.
The details:
To participate, users must tune in to an official VCT Americas Twitch channel and activate the Shotcall overlay by clicking a red crystal ball icon. They then log in with their Riot ID to begin making predictions. This allows fans to engage directly with the game and prove their esports knowledge and predictive abilities, adding an extra layer of competition.
The extension enables predictions on a variety of in-game scenarios, such as upcoming maps, critical rounds, or clutch plays. This broad scope ensures that fans have multiple opportunities to participate throughout a match. It moves beyond simple win/loss predictions, focusing on the nuanced, moment-to-moment decisions that define a professional esports broadcast.
Currently in a limited beta for VCT Americas, the feature is being tested during "Shotcall Fridays" in August 2025. This focused rollout allows VALORANT Esports to gather community feedback and fine-tune the experience before a wider launch. One special reward is available during the beta, with more expected as the feature expands based on viewer input.
Why it matters: The introduction of Shotcall is a significant move for VALORANT Esports, as it aims to directly address and enhance the viewer experience. By integrating a real-time prediction game into the live broadcast, the company is creating a more interactive and sticky product for its audience. This kind of feature can increase viewership retention and engagement, which are crucial metrics for sponsors and advertisers. Ultimately, a more engaged and invested audience translates into a more valuable and sustainable esports ecosystem, benefiting everyone from the players to the event organizers and brands involved.
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Acer’s Predator Orion 7000 Named The Official 2025 Tournament PC of Intel® Extreme Masters: ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, in partnership with Acer and Intel®, is proud to announce that the Predator Orion 7000 has been named the Official 2025 Tournament PC of Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM). Debuting at IEM Cologne 2025, this marks the first time in IEM history that fans can now play on and purchase the hardware used by the world’s top Counter-Strike professionals. The Predator Orion 7000 is built for elite gaming performance, powered by an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285K processor, up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 GPU, and support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory. Its advanced Predator CycloneX 360 cooling system ensures optimal thermal performance, while transparent tempered glass side panels showcase its cutting-edge internals. After a week of intense competition, the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike” is about to welcome the world’s best six Counter-Strike teams and one of the best crowds in esports to the LANXESS arena on August 1-3. IEM Cologne, one of the most historic and legendary esports tournaments, has set the stage for this new chapter in elevating the fan experience and highlights the continued innovation driven by the longstanding partnership between EFG, Intel®, and Acer. Fans attending IEM Cologne will have an opportunity to engage with it first-hand:
At the Intel® Tent, where they can explore the latest in gaming hardware, try out the Predator Orion 7000 firsthand, and participate in on-site activities, including meet-and-greets with the Counter-Strike players.
Fans will have the opportunity to get hands-on with the same high-performance setup used by the pros. The Predator gaming PC will be showcased throughout the IEM Cologne weekend, allowing attendees to step into the tournament arena experience and test the elite-level power trusted on the main stage.
Intel® Extreme Masters Cologne Major is Set to Return in 2026: With Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2025 coming to a spectacular conclusion, and LANXESS arena roaring in celebration of Team Spirit, the stage was set to announce that Intel® Extreme Masters Cologne will host a Counter-Strike Major in 2026. The pinnacle event will take place on June 2 - 21, 2026, marking a thrilling return for the Major to Cologne after a decade, honoring the tournament's legacy. Next summer, 32 of the world’s best teams will go head to head and battle it out for one of esports most desired trophies, $1,250,000 in prize pool, and a valuable ESL Grand Slam point. The IEM Cologne Major Playoffs will take place over four action-packed days in the legendary LANXESS arena. More than 50,000 fans from over 70 countries are expected to attend in person, and millions are expected to tune in via broadcasts available in more than 20 different languages. IEM Cologne 2025 took place on July 23 - August 3, and delivered an unforgettable two weeks of Counter-Strike (CS) action, with Team Spirit emerging victorious in a thrilling 3:0 Grand Final against MOUZ. The outstanding performance throughout the tournament earned Team Spirit a coveted Championship trophy, the lion’s share of the 1,250,000$ in Total Winnings, and their first ESL Grand Slam VI point.
IEM Cologne 2025 drew over 41,000 attendees to the Cathedral of Counter-Strike over three days at the sold-out LANXESS arena. Beginning on July 23, 24 of the world’s top Counter-Strike teams competed for six coveted spots in the IEM Cologne playoffs. Brazilian powerhouse FURIA battled through Stage 1 and 2 to reach the IEM Cologne playoffs for the first time, marking Brazil’s return to LANXESS since SK Gaming lifted the trophy in 2017. They were joined by The MongolZ, who became the first Mongolian team to ever reach the IEM Cologne playoffs. Alongside FURIA and The MongolZ, MOUZ, Natus Vincere, Team Spirit, and Team Vitality all showed their dominance and advanced, earning a chance to compete in the sold-out LANXESS arena. IEM Cologne Playoffs lit up the LANXESS arena over three electrifying days. The Cathedral of Counter-Strike saw NAVI defeat The MongolZ and MOUZ take down FURIA, advancing to the Semifinals. There, NAVI fell to Team Spirit, and in a major upset, MOUZ defeated defending champions Team Vitality, shattering their winning streak and advancing to the Grand Final. After strong performances in the Playoffs, MOUZ and Team Spirit took the stage on Sunday for the Grand Final. Fans packed the arena to witness two of the tournament’s top contenders battle it out for the title in a best-of-five series. In the end, it was Team Spirit who rose to the occasion and claimed the championship, bringing their remarkable run to a triumphant close. Next up in the ESL Pro Tour for Counter-Strike 2 is the ESL Pro League Season 22, commencing online on September 27, followed by IEM Chengdu 2025 taking place on November 3-9, with the final three days being played out live in Chengdu, China.
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VALORANT MOBILE
🇨🇳 Riot Games' $200M Investment in VALORANT Mobile China
Image source: Riot Games, Tencent
The Player: Riot Games and Tencent are set to invest 1.5 billion RMB, which translates to approximately $200 million, over the next three years to develop the VALORANT Mobile esports ecosystem in China. This significant investment is being made in preparation for the game’s official launch in the region. The comprehensive plan includes a series of national and collegiate-level tournaments that will be accessible to all players, along with consistent co-branded events. Efforts to establish this ecosystem are already underway, with several events having been successfully organized during the game’s closed beta phase.
The details:
Riot Games and Tencent will commit 1.5 billion RMB, or roughly $200 million, over three years to foster a robust VALORANT Mobile esports scene in China. This financial backing aims to build a solid foundation ahead of the game's official release and signals a strong commitment to the region's gaming community.
The strategic roadmap for the investment includes the creation of multiple tournament tiers, such as national and collegiate-level competitions. These will be open to all players, providing a clear path for aspiring esports professionals and expanding the player base from the grassroots level up.
In addition to the tournaments, the plan involves regular co-branded events in China. These partnerships are designed to increase the game's visibility and cultural relevance, leveraging the influence of other brands to create unique and engaging experiences for the burgeoning player and fan base.
Why it matters: This substantial investment by Riot Games and Tencent highlights the immense strategic importance of the Chinese market for the future of VALORANT. By dedicating significant resources to building a professional esports ecosystem before the game has even officially launched, they are ensuring a deep and lasting engagement with the local player base. For industry professionals, this signals a major growth area and a source of new opportunities, from tournament organization and talent management to marketing and sponsorship. This proactive approach sets a new standard for how major titles are launched in key regions, prioritizing long-term community building over short-term gains and underscoring the value of a localized, grassroots esports strategy.
ROCKET LEAGUE
🎶 Rocket League & deadmau5: A Sonic 10th Anniversary
Image source: Rocket League
The Player: Rocket League has partnered with the electronic music artist deadmau5 to celebrate the game's 10th anniversary with a limited-time event called "Rocket League Year 10 ft. deadmau5." This collaboration, which runs from August 5 to August 20, 2025, is centered around deadmau5's new four-track EP, "Error5," created specifically for this milestone. The tracks from the EP—"8ths," "What a Save," "Patience," and "Sixes"—were made available exclusively within Rocket League three days before their general release, providing an exclusive benefit to players.
The details:
The collaboration features deadmau5's new four-track EP, "Error5," with tracks created specifically for Rocket League's 10th anniversary. The new songs were available exclusively inside the game from August 5 to August 20, 2025, giving players a unique three-day listening window before the official release.
The event also offers players a variety of free rewards through in-game challenges. These 11 anniversary- and deadmau5-inspired items include the Synth-Sonic Boost, Bad Bass Trail, deadmau5 Marble Topper, the "8ths" Player Anthem, and Anniversary Crates, adding exclusive cosmetic content for the game's anniversary.
For players looking for more, two premium bundles are available: the McLaren 570S + deadmau5 Bundle and the deadmau5 Player Anthem Bundle. The partnership also extends to Fortnite, where deadmau5 is joining the Icon Series, and includes a deal allowing content creators to monetize YouTube videos featuring the new EP tracks without copyright issues.
Why it matters: This partnership is a prime example of a game leveraging a significant milestone to create a multi-faceted marketing and engagement campaign. By collaborating with a high-profile music artist like deadmau5, Rocket League is not only generating buzz within its existing player base but also tapping into a new audience of music fans. The tiered rewards system, offering both free and premium content, caters to a wide range of players, encouraging broad participation. Additionally, the cross-game integration with Fortnite and the creator-friendly monetization policy demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of modern gaming ecosystems, maximizing the partnership's reach and value beyond a single game.
ALSO ON ESPORTS
📈 Team Spirit Climbs CS2 Rankings: Team Spirit has moved up to second place in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) for August 2025, climbing one spot from their previous third-place ranking. This change reflects their consistent performance and solidifies their position among the top teams in the Counter-Strike 2 competitive scene, demonstrating their ongoing impact on the game's professional landscape.
🇯🇵 Meiy Dominates VCT Pacific Stage 2: Ibuki "Meiy" Seki, a 22-year-old Japanese Valorant player for DetonatioN FocusMe (DFM), has distinguished himself as an incredible duelist. Despite his team’s overall performance, Meiy has topped the Global ACS leaderboard with a score of 280.2 during VCT Pacific: Stage 2. He also holds the most match MVP titles with three and recorded a remarkable 509 ACS in a match against ZETA Division.
🎯 100 Thieves Announce First Game Changers Roster: 100 Thieves has officially entered the Valorant Game Changers circuit with their first roster, which is built around long-time content creator Lydia "Lidyuh" Wilson. The team is composed of the former Frog Womp roster, which includes Jasmine "Jazzyk1ns" Manankil, Presley "Slandy" Anderson, Emily "melya" Khan, and Jina "marceline" Kim. This move marks a significant step for the organization in supporting women and marginalized genders in esports.
🇦🇷 Oddin.gg Approved for Esports Betting in Buenos Aires: Esports betting and data company Oddin.gg has been officially registered as a supplier by the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires (LOTBA). This certification allows the company to provide its full suite of B2B esports betting services, including odds feeds, risk management tools, and BetBuilder, to licensed operators in the city. The move underscores the growing legitimacy and expansion of esports betting in the Latin American market.
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