YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University’s Esports program is launching its first-ever EMU Esports Summer Camp July 14-18 at the EMU Student Center, located at 900 Oakwood St. in Ypsilanti. The week-long camp is designed for boys and girls ages 11 to 14 and will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Led by professional staff and experienced EMU Esports student-athletes, the camp offers a curated experience that blends gaming with hands-on, off-screen learning opportunities to support the development of skills such as communication, teamwork, focus, memory, introspection, and performing under pressure. Campers will participate in both mental and physical activities that reflect the values and demands of the esports industry while gaining insight into gaming as a growing academic and professional field.

“We’re excited to bring esports and gaming education to the next generation,” said Zachary Lewis, coordinator of the EMU Esports program. “This camp is about more than just gameplay—it’s about building a learning environment that helps students grow and develop in a safe, collaborative space. We also hope to engage families and educators in seeing the positive potential of esports as a structured, valuable discipline.”

To maximize the camper experience, enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Campers are required to bring a packed lunch each day. Snacks will be provided twice daily. This is the first in a series of camps planned by EMU Esports, with future sessions expected to include expanded topics such as competitive gaming and content creation for high school students.

The cost to attend is $318, which includes an $18 registration fee. Registration is now open and will close on June 30, 2025. Interested families can register and learn more on the EMU Esports website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University’s website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.

Betsson Group first entered the Lithuanian market in 2016 through the acquisition of TonyBet, which was rebranded as Betsafe the following year. Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, establishing itself as one of the leading operators in the country.

The transition to Betsson reflects the Group’s ambition to bring even greater consistency, scalability, and brand recognition to its operations across regulated markets. For Lithuanian customers, it ensures the same trusted and seamless gaming experience – now backed by the strength of a globally recognised brand, with expanded resources, international partnerships, and unique fan engagement opportunities.

Jesper Svensson, CEO at Betsson Group, commented: “Lithuania has been an important market for us over the years, and this rebrand is a natural next step in our journey. By aligning our presence in the market under the Betsson brand, we can tap into broader marketing synergies, strengthen our global identity, and continue offering the same great service that our customers know and trust.”

The rebrand reflects Betsson’s ongoing investment in Lithuania, where the company moved into a larger office in Vilnius’ Central Business District just over two years ago. Today, the office is home to around 40 employees working across commercial, payments and support functions.

Over the years, the Group has also built strong local partnerships that demonstrate its commitment to sport. Betsafe is the title sponsor of the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL), one of the most competitive leagues in the region. The brand also supports both the men’s and women’s Lithuanian national basketball teams, and is a proud sponsor of football club FC Žalgiris.

This transition also aligns with Betsson Group’s broader international marketing strategy. The Group is actively investing in high-profile sports sponsorships, including partnerships with Boca Juniors and Racing Club in Argentina, Inter in Italy, Atlético Nacional in Colombia and several other clubs across Europe and Latin America. These global initiatives not only raise brand awareness but also bring added value to local markets like Lithuania through stronger brand recognition and cross-market campaigns.

Source: GMB

Weetos World has been announced by the Weetabix Food Company for the Weetos cereal as part of its foray into the world of video games.

The co-branded experience is being launched with Roblox and in partnership with Fandom, and consists of puzzles, creative challenges and interactive zones for kids to explore. The game also boasts as virtual space that will enable families to team up to unlock exclusive rewards and more. The experience is being promoted by the brand with more than one-million packs of specially branded Weetos alongside a competition running this summer.

Brand Manager Madeleine Rainert spoke on Weetos World saying, “Weetos World represents a bold step forward for the brand. We’re tapping into cultural relevance by meeting families where they already are – and doing it in a way that stays true to Weetos’ playful DNA. The fact that the game is inspired by children’s real ideas makes it even more special. This is about more than just cereal; it’s about sparking golden moments between parents and children through the power of play!”

BusinessWire India

Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 25: CookieRun India, the popular mobile game developed by Devsisters and published by KRAFTON India, has announced its first-ever brand collaboration, teaming up with the iconic FMCG brand Orion to roll out a nationwide campaign that merges the nostalgic delight of Orion ChocoPie with the vibrant, whimsical world of CookieRun. This strategic collaboration is designed to blend the charm of a timeless treat with the thrill of mobile gameplay, creating an immersive, cross-platform experience for Indian consumers of all ages.

At the heart of this strategic partnership are limited-edition Orion ChocoPie packs, featuring exclusive CookieRun India-themed designs. Created to be collectible and visually vibrant, these packs aim to stand out on shelves and evoke both a sense of childhood nostalgia and modern-day gaming culture.

Starting June 24th in-game, players can participate in a special ChocoPie Pet event, collecting ‘ChocoPie Jelly’ and exchanging it for an exclusive, limited-edition pet. Each special pack also contains a unique redemption code that unlocks free in-game crystals, encouraging consumers to engage across both retail and digital platforms. Adding a competitive twist, CookieRun India is also hosting a smartphone giveaway contest: players who score 15 lakh points or more during the campaign period stand a chance to win one of 35 smartphones, blending fun, skill, and real-world rewards in one high-stakes gaming experience.

Seddharth Merrotra, Head of Business Development and Partnerships, KRAFTON India, said, “This collaboration goes beyond co-branding–it’s about merging cultural nostalgia with today’s mobile-first lifestyle. ChocoPie is an iconic part of growing up for many in India, and CookieRun India brings that emotional memory into an interactive, digital format. These limited-edition packs are aimed at engaging both loyal Orion ChocoPie fans and a new generation of mobile gamers, offering something nostalgic and fresh in one irresistible package. We’re excited to create a playful and rewarding ecosystem where real-world treats unlock virtual adventures.”

Mr. Minwoo Kim, CEO, Orion Nutritionals India, added, “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with CookieRun India, an exciting step that brings Orion ChocoPie into the imaginative world of mobile gaming. Through this partnership, we’re reimagining how fans experience that joy, blending the comforting taste of Orion ChocoPie with the exciting adventure of CookieRun India! It’s exciting to witness ChocoPie as a digital treat in a game loved by millions. We truly hope that this partnership becomes a memorable part of every player’s journey.”

Bringing it all together is a QR code printed on the special-edition Orion ChocoPie packs, enabling direct download or login access to CookieRun India–making it easier than ever for curious snackers to jump into the action. This seamless integration of physical packaging with digital rewards is part of KRAFTON India’s broader effort to create engaging phygital experiences. By turning everyday consumer touchpoints into portals for play, and linking them to a snack that holds deep emotional value, the collaboration taps into both sentiment and curiosity, reshaping how players interact with their favorite titles both online and offline.

By combining collectible packaging, gamified rewards, and QR-powered engagement, the CookieRun India x Orion ChocoPie collaboration stands as a leading example of how brands can connect with India’s digital-first generation, merging sweet nostalgia with the thrill of gameplay in a way that’s fresh, fun, and unforgettable.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)

Business Wire India

 

About KRAFTON, Inc.

Headquartered in South Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is dedicated to discovering and publishing captivating games that offer fun and unique experiences. Established in 2007, KRAFTON is home to globally renowned developers that include PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, VECTOR NORTH, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montréal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks and inZOI Studio. Each studio strives to continuously take on new challenges and leverage innovative technologies. Their goal is to win over more fans by broadening KRAFTON’s platforms and services. With a passionate and driven team across the globe, KRAFTON is a tech-forward company that possesses world-class capabilities and is set on expanding its business horizons to encompass multimedia entertainment and deep learning. For more information, visit https://www.krafton.com/

About KRAFTON India

In India, KRAFTON is responsible for premier mobile games, including BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), which has surpassed 200 million downloads, Bullet Echo India, Road To Valor: Empires, and CookieRun India, among others. Committed to enhancing the start-up ecosystem in India, KRAFTON has invested over $200 million in several Indian startups across interactive entertainment, gaming, Esports, and technology, since 2021. KRAFTON actively supports India’s game development ecosystem through its KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) while strengthening the Esports ecosystem with flagship events like the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES (BGIS) and BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES (BMPS). For more information, visit https://krafton.in/

About Devsisters

Since its founding in 2007, Devsisters has been providing games and services, centered around the CookieRun IP, that have been loved by more than 200 millions users around the world. Beginning with CookieRun for Kakao, which launched in Korea in 2013, CookieRun stepped up to overseas markets with Line CookieRun in 2014, followed by its sequel CookieRun: OvenBreak in 2016 and mobile RPG CookieRun: Kingdom in 2021. Currently, the cumulative global revenue of the CookieRun IP has reached over KRW 1 trillion. In 2023, Devsisters expanded user experiences with new IPs and serviced platforms through the sandbox city-building game Brixity, trading card game CookieRun: Braverse TCG and VR action-adventure game CookieRun: The Darkest Night. In 2024, Devsisters launched the puzzle adventure game CookieRun: Witch’s Castle and 3D casual co-op action game CookieRun: Tower of Adventures and continues to provide an ageless and memorable experience that can be loved by players all across the world. CookieRun: OvenSmash, a real-time battle action game, is in development for release this year, aiming to provide further creative innovation and diversification. For more information, visit www.devsisters.com/en.

About Orion Nutritionals India

Orion Nutritionals Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of South Korea’s Orion Corporation, has rapidly emerged as a key player in the Indian FMCG space with its flagship product, Orion ChocoPie and a growing portfolio of innovative snacks like Snow Dazzle Pie, K-Snack Rings and O’ Rice Crackers. Leveraging its global expertise in domestic operations, Orion delivers high-quality, innovative snacking products tailored to the evolving preferences of Indian consumers. The company remains focused on sustainable growth, brand excellence and delivering consistent value to customers and stakeholders across the country. Backed by robust retail expansion across more than 1, 00, 000 outlets, Orion is blending global quality with local flavours to become a household name in India’s FMCG landscape.

T1 Home Ground is a multi-day esports event organized by T1 Entertainment & Sports, scheduled to take place at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea. The event will feature official matches involving T1’s League of Legends and VALORANT teams, along with a range of fan engagement activities. As part of a strategic partnership, Spotify has been designated as the main presenting partner for the event. This collaboration includes the launch of the T1 Hub—a digital platform that provides access to team playlists, podcasts, player-curated tracks, and other exclusive content—designed to deepen the connection between the team and its global fanbase.

In addition to its role in curating digital content, Spotify’s integration extends to on-site activations and branded experiences, including appearances on team apparel. The partnership represents a broader industry trend of blending esports with multimedia experiences to enhance audience engagement and diversify revenue streams. By integrating music and interactive digital content into the event, both T1 and Spotify aim to create an immersive environment that connects competitive gaming with cultural and lifestyle elements, further solidifying T1’s position in the global esports landscape.

Image Credit: T1 Esports, Spotify