May 2025’s Movers and Shakers: New King president, Scopely appoints CBO, Roblox exec exits, and more
Stay Informed Get Industry News In Your Inbox… Sign Up Today To keep you up to date with the latest movers and shakers in the mobile games industry, we’ve put together a regular roundup of the latest hires, promotions and, in some cases, exits. If you’ve recently joined a company or bagged a big promotion, […]
To keep you up to date with the latest movers and shakers in the mobile games industry, we’ve put together a regular roundup of the latest hires, promotions and, in some cases, exits.
If you’ve recently joined a company or bagged a big promotion, or you’re an employer that’s just made a hire, drop us an email at news@pocketgamer.biz.
King names new president, Roblox exec exits
Candy Crush developer King has appointed Candy Crush franchise GM Todd Green as its new president with incumbent Tjodolf Sommestad set to step away from June 1st.
Sommestad has been with the company for close to 14 years but departing to spend time with his family and pursue other passion projects. Green has been with the firm for 12 years, working across a range of roles.
“Huge thanks to Tjodolf for his ongoing support and leadership at King,” said Green.
“There is tremendous potential here with our incredible teams, and I’m excited by the opportunities ahead. The mobile games business is young, King has adapted and evolved many times to develop great games for a huge audience, and we are just getting started.”
Sommestad added: “After overseeing this transition, I’ve decided now is the right moment for me to take some time out of the industry and spend more time with my family. I’m excited to continue to watch King’s journey under Todd’s leadership. He is a tremendously talented leader who will continue to drive innovation in our franchises. I wish the talented King team every success.”
Roblox chief partnerships officer Christina Wootton is stepping down after over a decade with the UGC platform.
She had been responsible for leading the company’s business partnerships group, aimed at diversifying revenue streams, building new brand ecosystems and growing its external partner network.
Wootton will continue on at the company until the end of the summer to support the transition.
“What a ride it’s been,” said Wootton in a LinkedIn post.
“When I joined, there were fewer than 50 of us. We had 10 million monthly visitors and just one brand on the platform – but an incredible vision.
“Over the years, Roblox has scaled and grown into a truly global platform that has nearly 100 million daily active users and we’ve welcomed hundreds of incredible partners across fashion, beauty, music, entertainment, sports and education.”
New executives at Scopely and Stillfront
Former Playtika COO Shlomi Aizenberg has joined Monopoly Go developer Scopely as its new chief business officer.
Aizenberg spent over a decade at Playtika, overseeing multiple business units and serving as GM of Bingo Blitz. He was also said to have played a key role in integrating acquired studios such as Wooga, Seriously and Solitaire Grand Harvest.
At Scopely he’ll play a key role in the company’s M&A strategy to evaluate new business opportunities and identify potential acquisition and investment targets.
“Our focus remains on identifying industry-leading products and teams that align with and enhance our portfolio,” said co-CEOs Walter Driver and Javier Ferreira in a statement.
“In fact, last year alone, we engaged with over 800 companies to evaluate promising games, talent, and technology.
“Our approach to M&A is differentiated, dynamic and creative — tailoring our strategy to the unique strengths of each opportunity. We then strive to create enduring value for every new addition to our portfolio by unlocking synergies, amplifying the strengths of acquired teams, and ensuring long-term success within our ecosystem.
“This strategy requires leaders who both deeply understand business operations, gaming teams and founders and have significant relationships within the games industry, which Shlomi has demonstrated time and time again through his long tenure at Playtika.
“We are confident that Shlomi will significantly contribute to Scopely’s mission to inspire play every day and look forward to having his perspective as part of Scopely.”
Stillfront Group has appointed Tim Holland as its interim group chief financial officer.
He replaces Andreas Uddman in the role, who will remain on as a senior advisor until exiting the company in July.
Holland has been with the firm since 2019 and has previously held roles such as CFO North America, deputy group CFO, and MENA and APAC CFO.
Stillfront is currently searching for a permanent replacement in the role.
“We are very pleased to announce Tim Holland’s appointment as our interim Group CFO,” said Stillfront president and Group CEO Alexis Bonte.
“Tim’s extensive experience within Stillfront, alongside his deep understanding of the gaming industry and our financial operations gained from various finance roles, ensures strong financial leadership and continuity.
“This is crucial as we continue our strategic initiatives focused on enhancing profitability and shareholder value. I also want to thank Andreas Uddman for his contributions and look forward to his continued support during the transition period.”
New recruits at Night School and Jetapult
Netflix-owned Night School Studio has appointed Carrie Patel as game director at the developer.
Patel was previously game director at Obsidian Entertainment, working on projects such as Avowed, The Outer Worlds and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
Night School was acquired by Netflix in 2021 and has previously worked on titles such as the recent Black Mirror-themed Thronglets, as well as the Oxenfree series, Next Stop Nowhere and Mr. Robot:1.51exfiltrati0n.
Games investment firm Jetapult has recruited Oz Silahtar and Arjun Jain to its AI team.
Silahtar has previously worked with Tarentum AI and UA Hero and will help studios utilise AI to improve efficiency and content. Jain, meanwhile, has experience at Apple and Weta Digital and will lead AI-assisted content creation at the company.
“AI isn’t just a tool – it’s the new infrastructure for how games will be built, scaled, and experienced,” said Jetapult CEO and co-founder Sharan Tulsiani.
“At Jetapult, we’re not just adapting to this shift – we’re leading it. By bringing in experts like Oz and Dr. Jain, we’re doubling down on our belief that the future of game development lies in AI-native studios.”
We recently spoke with Tulsiani about Jetapult’s AI platform Gamepac that’s designed to help studios accelerate their game development.
Movers at ESL FaceIt Group, MTG, Zeptolab, Dream Games, and more
ESL FaceIt Group co-CEO Craig Levine is stepping down from the role. He has been with ESL Gaming since 2014, leading the company through its transition into the ESL FaceIt Group. Niccolo Maisto will now operate as the firm’s sole chief exec.
Ex-SuperAwesome CEO Dylan Collins is joining the board at Modern Times Group.
Dream Games has hired ex-Game games product manager Dilara Gundogu as product specialist.
Former ZeptoLab senior Unity developer and project tech lead Pablo Silvestre has joined Voodoo as senior game developer at its Samba studio.
Elsewhere, Voodoo has appointed studio director Hadrien Carpentier as a GM at the company.
New recruits FRVR, Room 8 Group,Next Games, and others
Former nDreams senior marketing manager David Burroughs has headed to Plaion as the company’s global brand marketing manager.
G5 Entertainment has recruited ex-Yandex Games senior business development manager Alexey Shcherbakov as its VP of business development.
FRVR has named former Mobile Finance Collective head of business development and community Anna Nikulina as its senior business development manager, publishing.
PR agency Raptor PR has officially appointed Thomas Huxter as a director at the company. The company also recently recruited Rosie Lumley as a senior PR consultant.
Room 8 Group has recruited ex-TransPerfect Gaming senior account executive for EMEA Stijn Morren as business development director.
Jukka Hilvonen has been recruited as a marketing consultant for Netflix’s Next Games studio.
Ex-Gomble CEO Jihoon Johnny Byun has been named as Supercent’s director of new business group.
Avakin Life studio Lockwood Publishing has promoted Jody Zarkos to the position of people and talent lead.
Additional reporting by Craig Chapple.
Top hires at Sensemitter and Ares
AI-powered playtest analyser Sensemitter has hired ad tech veteran Katie Madding as its new CEO. Madding brings over a decade of experience from Adjust in roles ranging from US account team lead to VP of product and ultimately chief product officer. She spent nearly three years in that final role at the company.
She also serves as a member of Forbes Technology Council and is a founding member of women-centric executive community Chief.
Madding’s appointment as Sensemitter CEO marks a major milestone in the company’s transition to a full-scale SaaS product offering. She formally joined her new role on April 21st, where she had responsibilities including overseeing product, growth, and team expansion.
“Katie brings not only the expertise and strategic clarity we need to scale, but also the kind of leadership energy that can transform teams,” said Sensemitter director Alex Ovcharov.
“We’re excited – and lucky – to have her leading the charge.”
Rogue Games founder and CEO Mike DeLaet is a veteran of Scopely, Mattel and more. Now, he’s joined mobile games newcomer Ares Interactive as president.
Ares Interactive was established one year ago, in May 2024, and is led by former Glu Mobile CEO Niccolo De Masi. A number of games industry veterans have already joined from Glu Mobile, Scopely, Kabam and more, now including DeLaet.
DeLaet previously worked at Glu Mobile too, more than a decade ago, as SVP of global publishing. His latest role was at Mattel, where he served as global head of digital gaming and a member of the board. He headed up the company’s entire digital apps and games business spanning more than 200 brands on console, PC, mobile and the web.
Heads and execs
In her fourth year back at match-3 giant King, Eva Ryott has been promoted to VP, head of live operations, shared tech.
Ryott has spent almost nine years at King across her career, having started as a data scientist driving monetisation for Pet Rescue Saga in 2013. She rose the ranks to senior producer, product manager by 2018 before shifting focus to Meta, where she led teams in central integrity and customer support as the conglomerate’s data science manager.
Ryott later returned to King where she has held senior roles since 2022, leading to her latest appointment.
“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as head of live operations, shared tech at King,” she posted on LinkedIn.
“In this role, I will be responsible for advancing our tooling and technologies to support better and faster (real-time) decisions in our games – creating cohesive and relevant experiences for our players. With this, I am also transitioning from the Candy Crush game team into our shared tech organisation, serving multiple games across King.”
Fellow Swedish firm Stillfront has made two new promotions, with Jochen Gary advancing to chief marketing officer while Kieran O’Leary has fast-tracked to EVP of growth.
O’Leary joined Stillfront as EVP of growth platform this January, with his title change coming just four months later. He has brought experience from Rovio, Ubisoft and most recently Gameloft, building upon more than a decade’s games industry experience in his latest role.
Gary joined Stillfront in 2021, after 10 years in marketing roles at Goodgame Studios. Following his promotion to Stillfront chief marketing officer, he will report directly O’Leary as the company looks to bring its marketing and growth services closer together.
“Congratulations to both Kieran and Jochen, looking forward to this next chapter,” Stillfront posted on LinkedIn.
Movers at Epic, Lockwood, Google and more
Epic Games has promoted games veteran Ben Board to head of Unreal Engine games business in Western Europe. He’s been working at the Fortnite maker since 2017.
Ex-Jagex and Omeda Studios veteran Jody Zarkos joined Lockwood Publishing in 2023. Now she’s been promoted to people and talent lead, responsibilities will include overseeing talent attraction and managing a team of two.
Pedro Alcaria has been promoted from Google’s senior growth manager in games to principal growth manager after three years with the tech giant.
Tom Grinsted, meanwhile, has been promoted to PM director at Google Play, with involvement in games, Play Pass, services and loyalty.
María Díez has joined Day III Digital as head of production in a freelance capacity, betting on a long-term collaboration.
Game design advisor Paolo Gambardella is taking on a new consultancy role at match-3 developer Picante, his first major client since going freelance.
SuperScale, SuperPlay, super hires and more
With more than 21 years of experience in the games industry, Second Leap co-founder Antti Stén has departed from his studio and taken on a game programmer role at Bit Odd.
Candywriter has secured Deniz K as its new director of product marketing, set to leverage his experience in senior roles at Rovio, Gameforge and Supercell.
David Molnar has been promoted from VP of partnerships to CEO at UserWise.
Bringing more than five years’ experience in product marketing, Holly Cooper has joined Secret Mode as head of communications.
Sean Parmenter has been appointed director of customer success at SuperScale.
SuperPlay co-founder and CPO Elad Drory has joined Kokoon’s board of advisors as the company lays the foundations for its first launch.
Reuniting with Jam City founder Chris DeWolfe, Jeremy Horn has joined Reach Labs as a co-founder and COO, looking to build a platform intersecting UA, ecommerce and social media.
Shefali Johnson has stepped down from her role at Nodwin Gaming after more than a decade, moving to pastures new as CEO of Comic Con India.
Michael Wilson is spearheading Tiny Titan at Rhea Games, now the company’s lead producer.
With nearly two decades of experience across Activison, Riot Games and Netflix, Andrew Hoffacker has joined Annapurna as VP of game production.
Agata Foti joined Funday Games on May 1st, bringing over a decade’s experience from Kiloo. Her new role is as head of player insights (maternity cover).
Sam Devlin has moved from Microsoft to Meta to start his new role as AI Research Scientist. His passion is pushing boundaries in modern AI capabilities using digital games.
More than 30 high school students from as far away as Chicago and Atlanta participated in GCU’s GenCyber Camp this week at the Cyber Center of Excellence. They did everything from program robots to compete in games of Capture the Flag to simulating how emails get from one person to another. From left, Kyle Vo […]
More than 30 high school students from as far away as Chicago and Atlanta participated in GCU’s GenCyber Camp this week at the Cyber Center of Excellence. They did everything from program robots to compete in games of Capture the Flag to simulating how emails get from one person to another.
From left, Kyle Vo and Aarav Shandilya of Paradise Valley High School participate in a cup-stacking team challenge during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 10, 2025.
Michael Murtagh keeps an eye on his team’s build in a cup-stacking challenge during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 10, 2025.
High school students maneuver a Sphero Bolt coding robot ball around a course during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 12, 2025.
High school students work at controlling a Sphero Bolt coding robot ball during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 12, 2025.
Antonio Laurel Perez controls a Sphero Bolt coding robot ball during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence. Perez plans on attending GCU next year to major in cybersecurity. June 12, 2025.
High school students guide a Sphero Bolt coding robot ball through a course during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 12, 2025.
Dr. Vanessa Curley-Ward checks in on some students as they program their robot during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 12, 2025.
High school students Euwain Sheard and Sravya Nallapareddy work on their robot during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 12, 2025.
GenCyber participant Angon Angon tests his team’s robot for hand-gesture recognition during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 12, 2025.
High school students Euwain Sheard and Sravya Nallapareddy test their robot for hand gesture recognition during the GenCyber Camp at the GCU Cyber Center of Excellence on June 12, 2025.
B2B iGaming marketing overview: Timeless Tech and Amigo Gaming discuss core industry drivers
See the full article on our website: Learn more The role of industry events in B2B marketing Exhibitions and conferences such as SiGMA, SBC, and ICE remain essential in B2B iGaming marketing. These events provide invaluable opportunities for face-to-face interaction, allowing companies to showcase their products and build lasting relationships. In-person meetings continue to play […]
Exhibitions and conferences such as SiGMA, SBC, and ICE remain essential in B2B iGaming marketing. These events provide invaluable opportunities for face-to-face interaction, allowing companies to showcase their products and build lasting relationships.
In-person meetings continue to play a crucial role in building trust, even as digital transformation accelerates. Mitja highlighted: “Being present at events like SiGMA is about more than showing up; it’s about building trust and lasting relationships.”
See our full event list and upcoming opportunities:Timeless Tech Exhibitions
Optimizing websites for lead generation:
Today, websites are crucial to lead generation. iGaming companies must optimize their sites to attract and engage the right audience.
Website content needs to be clear, compelling, and easy to navigate. Strong calls to action guide visitors to take the next step, whether it’s contacting the company, requesting a demo, or signing up.
Content marketing: Building authority and trust
Content marketing allows companies to demonstrate expertise, share game releases, and showcase industry insights.
For game providers, this approach builds trust and positions them as industry leaders. Rodrigo emphasized: “Content marketing shows we understand player engagement and market needs, which is key to long-term success.”
Public relations and social media
PR helps raise brand visibility and credibility. It’s also important for SEO and backlink generation. As for social media, LinkedIn remains the top platform for B2B marketing in iGaming.
Sharing product news, engaging with decision-makers, and showing the human side of the company helps build deeper connections. “LinkedIn is our most effective platform for relationship-building and lead generation,” Rodrigo noted.
The growing influence of AI in marketing
AI is transforming iGaming marketing by automating tasks, analyzing customer data, and optimizing campaigns.
While AI offers valuable insights, human creativity is still essential for strategic decisions. Mitja concluded, “AI assists with data, but human insight remains key to creating authentic marketing strategies.”
Conclusion
B2B marketing in iGaming requires a blend of digital innovation, trust-building, and strategic partnerships. Industry events, optimized websites, and content marketing play a key role in success.
Leveraging AI while maintaining human creativity will help iGaming companies stay competitive in this dynamic space.
nubia partners with Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025, igniting competitive passion around “Born to Win”
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — nubia, a highly personalized and lifestyle smartphone brand, announced its role as the Official Marketing Partner for Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 held from May 31 to June 1, 2025 in Rotterdam. This partnership, coinciding with TwitchCon’s 10th anniversary celebration, showcased the gaming excellence of nubia Neo 3 […]
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — nubia, a highly personalized and lifestyle smartphone brand, announced its role as the Official Marketing Partner for Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 held from May 31 to June 1, 2025 in Rotterdam. This partnership, coinciding with TwitchCon’s 10th anniversary celebration, showcased the gaming excellence of nubia Neo 3 series, built on its “Born to Win” spirit, to tens of thousands of in-person attendees and millions of livestream viewers, engaging directly with fans, gamers, streamers, and media on this special stage. The nubia brand was prominently featured throughout the Twitch Rivals Arena, where top streamers competed in live tournaments.
nubia was showcased to tens of thousands of attendees at TwitchCon Europe 2025
“Partnering with Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 is another exciting milestone for nubia,” said Li Wei, Vice President of ZTE “The ‘Born to Win’ spirit drives everything we do at nubia, inspiring gamers to strive for victory not just in gaming, but in every life moment. Following our successful collaborations with hit mobile games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Garena Free Fire, we are thrilled to present nubia Neo 3 series directly to the global vibrant gaming community. TwitchCon provides a perfect stage to demonstrate how our innovative gaming smartphone can elevate the gaming experience for both enthusiasts and professional players. Through our collaboration with Twitch, we aim to build authentic connections with passionate players and expand our gaming presence in Europe and beyond.”
nubia Neo 3 GT, High-Performance AI Gaming Smartphone Built around “Born to Win“
At the heart of the partnership is nubia Neo 3 GT, a high-performance gaming smartphone built around its “Born to Win” spirit — a belief in confident self-expression, fearless competition, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Powered by a cutting-edge 6nm octa-core chipset running at 2.7GHz, and paired with up to 24GB dynamic RAM and 256GB storage, the device handles demanding games with ease.
The standout Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers offer console-like controls with high sampling rate and fast response, a unique feature in its segment. Users can customize button mapping, trigger Game Space instantly with both shoulders, and activate one-touch combos for quick skill execution. The triggers reduce screen interference, enhance accuracy in FPS and MOBA games, and provide vibration feedback for a console-like feel. The integrated Z-axis linear motor adds immersive haptic response to every movement.
An exceptional gaming experience is delivered through a 6.8-inch FHD+ OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits peak brightness, while a large 4083mm² VC cooling system with a multi-layer structure ensures stable performance during intense gaming sessions.
The gaming excellence extends to its innovative AI features, with the NeoTurbo AI engine and AI Game Space 3.0 working together to optimize performance through real-time scene recognition and behavioral learning. The AI Virtual Companion Demi provides smart gaming assistance with features like Demi Care, Demi Live, and Demi Alarm for enhanced focus and scheduling. For extended gaming sessions, the large battery with Bypass Charging technology enables direct power delivery without overheating. More than a gaming powerhouse, the nubia Neo 3 GT serves as an everyday companion for the young generation, seamlessly integrating professional gaming capabilities with practical features covering AI Photography, AI Translate and more for diverse user needs.
Immersive Experience Zone Takes Center Stage at TwitchCon Europe 2025
At TwitchCon Europe, nubia hosted an extensive program of activities designed to maximize brand exposure and community engagement. Attendees can visit the nubia interactive zone in the Twitch Rivals Arena featuring state-of-the-art gaming stations to get hands-on with nubia Neo 3 GT, experiencing the smartphone’s extraordinary gaming performance with its unique Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers and AI Game Space. Featured streamers led intense battles, showcasing the exceptional power of nubia Neo 3 GT. Daily competitions let attendees compete using nubia Neo 3 GT for exclusive prizes and merchandise.
nubia Neo 3 series launched in March 2025 globally, with the Free Fire Co-Branded Edition following in May 2025 across Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and other global markets.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: ZTE Corporation Communications Email: [email protected]
Stay22 Partners with Riot Games to Bring Hassle Free Travel to League of Legends Fans
Friday, June 13, 2025 Stay22, a leading Canadian travel tech company, has announced an exciting partnership with Riot Games to elevate the fan experience at the 2025 League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA) playoffs. This collaboration aims to streamline the process for esports fans attending the event in Texas, offering a seamless and […]
Stay22, a leading Canadian travel tech company, has announced an exciting partnership with Riot Games to elevate the fan experience at the 2025 League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA) playoffs. This collaboration aims to streamline the process for esports fans attending the event in Texas, offering a seamless and integrated accommodation booking experience.
This partnership comes at a time when esports continues to grow globally, and event organizers like Riot Games are seeking innovative ways to enhance the fan experience. The integration of Stay22’s technology will enable fans to book accommodations at the same time they purchase their tickets for the highly anticipated LTA playoffs, which are scheduled to take place on September 27th and 28th in Texas. The official ticket sales for the 2025 LTA season finale will open on June 14th for pre-sale and June 15th for general sale.
Revolutionizing Esports Event Booking with Stay22’s Innovative Integration
Stay22’s software solution integrates seamlessly with Riot Games’ platform, allowing fans to book hotels and other accommodations without leaving the event page. This integration is powered by Stay22’s MAP (Marketplace Access Points) technology, which is designed to capitalize on high-intent audiences within event, media, and ticketing ecosystems. By displaying location-relevant booking options within Riot’s content, the platform empowers fans to make travel decisions on the spot, further enhancing their event experience.
Malcolm Archer, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Stay22, commented on the partnership, saying, “Stay22’s origin is rooted in esports: Hamed A., one of the co-founders of the company, decided to build the first version of our Map after struggling to book a hotel for a Counter-Strike tournament, so we are thrilled to work with an industry leader like Riot Games and offer a seamless, complete booking experience for video game players and fans. This partnership is a perfect example of how Stay22 helps event organizers provide a better experience for their community while unlocking incremental revenue, too.”
Addressing the Needs of Mobile-First, Fast-Paced Esports Fans
As gaming and esports continue to capture the attention of millions around the world, event organizers are increasingly catering to the growing demand for fast, mobile-friendly booking solutions. Esports fans, often young and tech-savvy, are known for making quick decisions, especially on mobile devices. Recognizing this, Stay22 has designed its platform to meet fans where they are, providing a frictionless experience that allows them to plan their travel and accommodations with minimal hassle.
Jeff Goodman, Enterprise Partnerships at Stay22, emphasized the importance of seamless booking for today’s esports audience: “Eventgoers, especially in gaming and esports, are planning fast and often on mobile. Frictionless booking matters. We’ve built tech that meets fans where they are, at the right moment, and Riot Games shares that user-first mindset.” This collaboration between Stay22 and Riot Games underscores a shared commitment to putting the fan experience at the forefront of event planning and execution.
A Game-Changer for the Esports Industry
This partnership marks just the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Stay22 and Riot Games. The two companies have already expressed their intent to build upon the success of this integration and continue to innovate in the esports event space. Stay22’s technology is set to provide even more performance-based insights and enhancements in the future, further improving the overall experience for attendees at esports events.
The partnership has the potential to change the way fans experience major esports tournaments, offering a more integrated and convenient way to plan their trip. As the esports industry continues to expand, innovations like these could set a new standard for fan engagement and operational efficiency in the events sector.
The Future of Esports Travel and Stay22’s Impact
Stay22 has a proven track record of helping brands create seamless, revenue-generating experiences for travelers, content creators, and event organizers. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Stay22 has grown rapidly, reaching a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of $500 million in 2024, with revenues of $25 million. The company currently boasts over 3,500 active partners and has facilitated over one million trips to 226 countries and regions.
Stay22’s innovative approach to travel technology is a game-changer for the event industry, providing a simple and effective solution to connect travelers with accommodation options. As esports continues to grow in popularity, Stay22’s role in the industry is poised to expand, helping event organizers reach new heights of success.
About Riot Games
Riot Games, the developer and publisher behind some of the world’s most popular video games, is no stranger to the esports industry. Known for its groundbreaking titles like League of Legends and VALORANT, Riot Games has become a leader in the gaming and esports world. The company also produces some of the most-watched esports tournaments globally, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the action unfold.
About Stay22
Stay22 is a Canadian travel tech company that provides innovative solutions to seamlessly connect content creators and media with affiliate marketing opportunities. Its platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to help content creators generate incremental revenue through travel bookings. In 2024, Stay22 reached new milestones, including $500 million in GMV and $25 million in revenue, while helping to monetize 182,000 pages across the web with 1.5 billion views.
Stay22’s partnership with Riot Games represents a significant step in the company’s continued growth and innovation, offering esports fans a more seamless and enjoyable event experience.
Stay22’s collaboration with Riot Games to enhance the fan experience at the 2025 League of Legends Championship playoffs is a significant development in the esports and travel industries. By enabling fans to book their accommodations while purchasing tickets, Stay22 is revolutionizing the way esports events engage with their audiences. This partnership is just the beginning of what promises to be a long-lasting and impactful relationship between Stay22 and Riot Games, with more innovations to come.
For more information, fans are encouraged to stay up-to-date via Riot Games’ official channels regarding the 2025 LTA playoffs and Stay22’s future collaborations.
Tags: accommodation booking, Canada, esports fan experience, esports travel booking, global esports community, League of Legends Championship, Montreal, riot games, Riot Games partnership, Stay22 partnership, Stay22 technology, Texas, Texas esports event, United States
Unified Esports League: Helping develop social and emotional skills through gaming | Sports
EL CENTRO — Unified Esports League (UESL) is working to create a safe environment for children and adults aged 8+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop social and emotional skills through gaming and technology. This includes esports, which have been proven to be a powerful tool in helping develop communication skills, teamwork, strategic thinking, […]
EL CENTRO — Unified Esports League (UESL) is working to create a safe environment for children and adults aged 8+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop social and emotional skills through gaming and technology. This includes esports, which have been proven to be a powerful tool in helping develop communication skills, teamwork, strategic thinking, problem-solving, how to handle a win or lose situation, and more.
“In the modern day, video games and technology serve as the current setting that we are able to help people grow through alongside their passion,” UESL founder and CEO Matthew Iske told the Imperial Valley Press. “We promote significant life skills within our clients.”
UESL, a non-profit vendor of the San Diego Regional Center, has eight locations either operating or preparing to open throughout San Diego County. The rapidly growing program is open year-round and is actively working to expand to more cities. Each location supports 12-18 individuals per day, adding up to 30-40 families per site.
According to UESL’s website, the project is coming to El Centro soon at Booker T. Washington Elementary School’s Unified Gaming and Technology Center at 223 S. First Street, El Centro, CA 92243. The program is currently open for enrollment, the website reads. To reserve a spot, those interested can enter https://www.unifiedesl.com/contact.
“At the moment we’re open for enrollment, but the program has not formally started. We have to hit a certain number of client enrollments before services can begin, so I believe that’s the phase we’re in at the moment,” a UESL representative explained in a message to IVP. “We’re looking for more interested members to kickstart the program as well as spread the word!”
Clients work in a 1:3 ratio with a designated coach throughout the program. In a written plan and concept developed by UESL, known as the Individualized Technology Education Plan, clients also go through a weekly assessment reviewing areas where they feel they may need improvement.
“Supported by their coaches, clients are better suited to accepting change—from winning and losing games, working in teams, and gaining new experiences,” Iske told the press. “We practice growth in these areas with safe, coach-monitored games such as Overcooked, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate drone-flying simulators and even immersive VR games.”
The program also promotes healthy habits during gaming, as the clients participate in a gamer workout each day. UESL also reinforces physical health while partaking in game play, including posture, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to recognize when one’s body is asking for a break. The program also has regular discussions and presentations about healthy food.
“A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and thus creates an individual who is ready to explore the world of gaming and what that means for their own growth,” said Iske.
Not only does the program lend a helping hand to families struggling to find nearby special needs resources, but it also provides an opportunity for caretakers to take a break knowing whoever they’re looking after is safe and learning.
Silver Creek’s Ben Layton competes in esports finals | News, Sports, Jobs
Silver Creek senior Benjamin Layton is pictured at the Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation Championships at Syracuse University. Submitted Photo SILVER CREEK — On June 7, students from across New York state gathered for the largest high school esports competition in the state at the Syracuse University Esports Lab for the Empire State Scholastic Esports […]
Silver Creek senior Benjamin Layton is pictured at the Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation Championships at Syracuse University.
Submitted Photo
SILVER CREEK — On June 7, students from across New York state gathered for the largest high school esports competition in the state at the Syracuse University Esports Lab for the Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation Championships.
Competitors battled in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (solos and trios), Valorant and Rocket League.
Representing Silver Creek High School, senior Benjamin Layton qualified for Super Smash Bros Ultimate Solos semifinals, where he faced Peyton Gray of Bethlehem Central High School. The competition atmosphere was electric with professional-grade gaming chairs, massive screens, and LED lights created an unforgettable environment, with the Silver Creek Esports logo proudly lit up on the digital banner.
Layton’s match was broadcast live nationwide and drew cheers as he took the stage. Though nerves got the best of him in the first round, he rallied in round two with an impressive spike. Each round was a hard-fought battle, but ultimately, Layton fell in three rounds to his skilled opponent.
When asked about his experience, Layton said, “It was a surreal moment, and I was thrilled to play the game I love in front of a large crowd. The elite setup at Syracuse made me feel like I had truly made it.”
Even in defeat, Layton made the most of his time by connecting with some of the top figures in the esports community, laying the groundwork for future opportunities in this rapidly growing field. Coach Anthony DiGennaro expressed gratitude for Layton’s opportunities.
“We are so proud of Ben and all of his accomplishments and would like to thank Syracuse University for hosting this amazing event. We are thankful for this opportunity and look forward to seeing this program grow across the state,” DiGennaro said.
Ben plans to attend SUNY Canton in the fall, majoring in esports business management and plans on playing for Canton’s esports team.
“We are incredibly proud of Ben for representing our school with talent, poise, and professionalism on the state’s biggest stage,” Coach Josh Sadler said.
Schools interested in participating in esports are asked to reach out to Sadler at jsadler@silvercreekschools.org.
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