The Derby High School eSports team has been building on success in every season and now holds some state bragging rights. The Panthers were recently crowned the Class 6A state champions and all-classes grand champion in Marvel Rivals. Derby also won the Class 6A championship in Overwatch 2 and finished as the runner-up in the grand champion tournament. Even though eSports is not a KSHSAA-sanctioned activity, its future is trending in the right direction.

There is a wide array of games to choose from for eSports competition, and the Derby eSports team focused on Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals this season. Overwatch 2 has been a mainstay game for the Panthers over the last few seasons, while Marvel Rivals was added this season. The games task two opposing teams with completing objectives, like controlling and defending areas of the game map, using a wide array of characters.

The Panthers have worked hard across the school year to develop the right strategies and proper character lineup for success. Communication has been the biggest area of growth throughout the season.

“Communication is the hardest part,” Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals team captain David Royer said. “You have to focus on getting everyone on the same page and make sure we stay focused, even if things are not always going well.”

In the past, Derby has competed in more regional competitions against high school teams across the Midwest, but this year the team decided to focus on the competition among Kansas high schools, which has been rapidly growing. Last year, several eSports coaches around the state formed the Sunflower Showdown. At the time, the Panthers were already involved with a regional league, but chose to join in the 2024-2025 school year.

“It is fun to be playing other teams across the state,” eSports coach Caitlin Hendrix said. “I like being a part of the bigger leagues because you go against a bunch of teams, but it is fun to go up against the Kansas teams to see where we stack up in the state.”

Throughout the season, the Derby eSports team faced teams from across the state, such as El Dorado, Wellington, Liberal and Pratt. Matches are played online, and the Panthers typically use their setup at Derby High School.

In late April, Derby traveled to Pratt Community College for the in-person state championships in Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals. The Panthers got to Pratt at about 8 a.m. and did not leave until 1 a.m. the next morning, but the team left victorious with a pair of 6A state titles.

It was a unique experience for the team, as most competitions are played online. The team enjoyed getting to meet other teams. Derby High School alums Dmitrey Peebler and Joshua Packard are currently on the Pratt Community College eSports team, so the Derby players played video games while waiting for their matches to start.

“It was neat. We had some Pratt kids recognize us, and we got to play games with them while we waited for our matches to start,” Dustin Anderson said. “We got to talk with some other schools that we don’t always get to interact with, which was cool.”

“It was cool to have the freedom to walk around and meet a lot of different players,” Royer said. “It was a late night, but it was fun to compete in that environment.”

The grand championship tournaments needed to be postponed due to the late night and wrapped up in early May. The Panthers took second in the Overwatch 2 grand championships, losing to Wellington in the finals on April 30. The Panthers had a strong season in Marvel Rivals, ultimately claiming the grand championship.

Hendrix has seen the team improve throughout the season in several different ways, with communication and teamwork being two key areas. In the last few years, she has seen young players join the eSports team and start to grow with their teammates.

“It is neat seeing eSports grow and seeing the players that have joined develop into leaders and great teammates,” Hendrix said. “Everyone has grown in ability, communication and teamwork, and it is fun to see that growth.”

Owning a fast and high-performing smartphone is now made easier and more accessible, thanks to the recent partnership between Skyro, one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in the Philippines, and Infinix, the trendy global tech brand crafted for young consumers.

The MOA signing was led by (L-R) Infinix marketing manager Jelly Buan, assistant retail manager Elton Paque, and head of HQ retail Kim Yang, together with Skyro’s head of POS business Lowen Medina and key accounts lead Yernar Ashimov

The strategic collaboration coincides with the launch of the highly anticipated Infinix NOTE 50—a performance gaming smartphone built for dominance. With the fastest charging, highest refresh rate, and a premium metal frame, the NOTE 50 CODM Edition delivers an immersive, full-throttle gaming experience designed for the most competitive players.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to team up with Infinix—a brand loved by tech-savvy, trendsetting Filipinos. This partnership brings more than just smartphones; it brings joy, self-expression, and endless possibilities into people’s hands,” said Lowen Medina, Skyro’s Head of POS Business.

Aligning with the fintech’s mission, Kim Yang, Infinix Head of HQ Retail, expressed the brand’s support to Skyro’s mission: “We’re excited to partner with Skyro as we continue pushing the boundaries of accessible innovation. This collaboration brings us one step closer to empowering more Filipinos with powerful, game-ready devices and smarter, more connected lifestyles.”

Through this partnership, Skyro will now be made available as a financing option offered directly on Infinix’s official channels in the Philippines, simplifying the purchasing process. With Skyro, customers can enjoy 0% interest and standard loans on products such as the Infinix NOTE 50 Series and other Infinix devices.

Avail your dream Infinix phone with 0% interest through Skyro

With the mission to provide hope, happiness, and financial support to Filipinos, the collaboration of Skyro and Infinix ensures that many more customers in the country can enjoy quality products and other essential needs.

To know more about Skyro, download the app for free on the Apple Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users or visit https://www.skyro.ph/ and follow its social media accounts, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

As baseball and softball take their first swings for Woodward-Granger, the Hawks had a handful of performances on the state’s biggest stage. (Events covered May 20-26)

India – May 28, 2025: Infinix India, a new-age smartphone brand, has partnered with True Rippers, one of India’s most prominent Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) Esports teams. As part of this revolutionary move, the team will now compete under the ‘Infinix True Rippers’ banner – marking Infinix’s first-ever Esports team collaboration globally. The move reflects Infinix’s vision to support the rise of Esports in India and empower the next generation of Esports athletes.

This landmark deal reaffirms Infinix’s commitment to India’s gaming and Esports scene. Beyond its grassroots-level initiatives like the GT Powerplay Tournament, this collaboration aims to support the country’s top BGMI athletes while strengthening the brand’s connection with growing gamers.

The collaboration comes ahead of the launch of Infinix’s GT 30 Pro, an Esports-ready smartphone debuting on June 3. Tailored for high-performance gameplay, the GT 30 Pro offers 120 FPS support certified by BGMI Krafton and introduces dual gaming shoulder triggers—a segment-first feature aimed at competitive mobile gamers. This synergy between product innovation and strategic partnership reflects Infinix’s vision to support and empower the next generation of Esports talent.

Commenting on the partnership, Anish Kapoor, CEO at Infinix India said, “At Infinix, we’re not just witnessing the gaming revolution—we’re driving it. Teams like True Rippers are the driving force behind India’s growing Esports culture. Our collaboration is rooted in a shared belief—that gaming in India is more than just play; it’s a powerful aspiration for the youth. Today’s gamers aren’t just looking for entertainment; they’re driven by recognition, purpose, and identity. We’re proud to be among the first brands in the industry taking active steps to encourage aspiring esports athletes—empowering young gamers with products and initiatives that would be a testament to fulfilling our mission to support esports in India.

As we gear up for the launch of the GT 30 Pro, this collaboration signals more than just brand synergy—it’s about building a performance-driven ecosystem that inspires and empowers the next generation of gamers. In True Rippers, we’ve found a team whose competitive edge, creativity, and strong community presence align with our vision. Together, we’re setting the stage towards strengthening the Indian Esports ecosystem.”

Currently, Infinix True Rippers is competing in the prestigious BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2025 by Krafton, being one of the few elite teams in this invite-only competition. The tournament will culminate in a grand finale in New Delhi next month. The squad heads into the event in strong form, having secured a sixth-place finish at the BGMI India Series (BGIS) in Kolkata last month.

Aside from tournaments, the team will engage in ongoing co-creation with Infinix throughout the year, focusing on GT and other performance-driven smartphones.

Speaking about the partnership, Yashwanth AR, CEO at True Rippers said, “At True Rippers, we’re not just focused on building one of the best BGMI lineups in the country. We’re also committed to connecting with our young audience beyond the game through innovative content and meaningful engagement. We’re thrilled to partner with Infinix, a brand that shares our vision for trendy storytelling and performance excellence. This carefully curated collaboration is a step towards redefining how brand narratives can go beyond conventional naming rights deals.”

The Infinix True Rippers BGMI roster is comprised as follows:

• Gunjan Thakur aka Jelly
• Swaraj Singh aka KioLmao
• Ngurang Takar aka Ninzae
• Samuel Nabam aka SAM

India is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally, with over 454 million gamers in 2023, a number expected to exceed 730 million by 2028. According to Niko Partners, more than 65% of gamers either play, watch Esports, or compete in tournaments with BGMI playing a significant role in driving this engagement. Earlier this year, the BGIS 2025 recorded a peak concurrent viewership of 485,132 and amassed over 9.4 million watch hours, per Esports Charts data, showcasing the potential of the Infinix and True Rippers partnership in engaging with gamers directly.

With True Rippers’ in-game dominance and Infinix’s vision for empowering gamers beyond the screen, the Infinix True Rippers are set to become a powerful force at the intersection of technology, performance, and community-driven gaming culture.

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This strategic partnership brings Octoplay’s entire premium portfolio to another major Danish operator, significantly expanding the company’s footprint in the country and further strengthening its position across the Nordic region. 

This partnership with Danske Spil reinforces Octoplay’s growing reputation in Europe’s regulated markets, as tier-one operators continue to seek out the company’s premium content with its proven performance metrics. 

The collaboration follows recent notable launches with state-owned Svenska Spel in Sweden, Dutch market leader JACKS.NL, and Rank Group in the UK. It also adds another key Nordic market leader into Octoplay’s expanding list of partnerships. 

Ralitsa Georgieva, director of business development at Octoplay, states: “Partnering with Danske Spil, Denmark’s most established and trusted gaming brand, represents a significant milestone in our European expansion. This aligns perfectly with our approach of securing direct partnerships with leading operators in each market we enter. With their deep roots and nationwide recognition, Danske Spil provides an exceptional platform to showcase our premium content to Danish players.” 

Simon Hoffmann Riis, senior games & analytics manager at Danske Spil, comments: “We are delighted to welcome Octoplay as a trusted partner whose premium portfolio has consistently proven itself across European markets. Their data-driven approach to creating quality content aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering Danish players the most engaging and responsible entertainment experience possible.” 

With active licences in 10 regulated markets across Europe, the integration adds to Octoplay’s impressive commercial growth, which saw the company complete an average of five integrations per month throughout 2024 and agree commercial deals with over 80 operators.

This European expansion runs parallel to the company’s North American growth, where Octoplay recently secured provisional licences in Michigan and New Jersey, building on its approach of rapid market entry, strategic partnerships with market leaders and consistent game innovation.

Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (SET: ADVANC or AIS), the leader in intelligent digital service networks, has partnered with Wisesight, Thailand’s No. 1 social data analytics provider, and One Ultra Screens, a premium cinema in the heart of Bangkok, to elevate the gaming and esports industries by organizing the “Thailand Social AIS Gaming Awards 2025” for the fifth consecutive year.

This event reaffirms its status as the grandest stage in Thailand, celebrating gaming and esports figures with outstanding social media performances over the past year, with a total of 39 awards.

For the first time, the prestigious Hall of Fame award will be presented to individuals who have achieved excellence in their categories for five years. This initiative aims to drive Thailand’s gaming and esports industries to meet international standards and contribute to the sustainable growth of the country’s digital economy.

Ms. Rungthip Jarusiripipat, Head of AIS Game Business Department, AIS stated: “We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to advancing the Thai gaming and esports industries by organizing tournaments across all levels—from schools and universities to the general public. We have also established the E-Sports Community Hub to provide a dedicated space for skill development, supporting individuals in their journey to become professional athletes. In addition, the Thailand Social AIS Gaming Awards serves as a platform to recognize and honor individuals who play a vital role in driving the growth and development of gaming and esports.

Our data shows that Thai interest in esports continues to rise, as reflected in the growing number of communities—including content creators, professional players, game publishers, and behind-the-scenes talents. This year, we have seen the emergence of new rising stars who have made remarkable contributions on social media. AIS remains committed to supporting and growing alongside the Thai gaming and esports industries.”

Mr. Kla Tangsuwan, Chief Executive Officer, Wisesight (Thailand) Company Limited. added: “The gaming industry lies at the core of Thailand’s rapidly expanding digital economy. At Wisesight, we are committed to leveraging social media insights to drive the development of the Thai gaming and esports sectors toward achieving international recognition. The fifth edition of the Thailand Social AIS Gaming Awards marks another significant milestone, underscoring the shared commitment of all stakeholders to the serious and sustainable advancement of the industry.”

Mr. Brian Hall, Chief Executive Officer, CINEMA ONE Co., Ltd, stated: As a leading cinema business, One Ultra Screens is honored to be part of the Thailand Social AIS Gaming Awards 2025, welcoming esports athletes and individuals who play vital roles in the gaming industry. This collaboration represents another important step in our commitment to advancing the Thai gaming and esports sectors.

We see gaming not merely as a form of entertainment, but as a powerful and creative force that connects people, ideas, and technology. We believe in the potential of creators, esports athletes, and those behind the scenes whose efforts continue to inspire us. Through this initiative, we hope to contribute meaningfully to elevating the Thai gaming industry and helping it shine on the global stage.”

The judging panel for the Thailand Social AIS Gaming Awards 2025 was honored by the participation of three distinguished experts from the gaming, esports, and social media industries. All three served on the advisory committee responsible for evaluating and determining this year’s award recipients, including:

1. Mr. Sakkaphon Sawarkkaphun, Chief Executive Officer of NEX Studio and Registrar of the Esports Association of Thailand
2. Mr. Methee Chuaypu, Lecturer in Games and Interactive Media, Faculty of Information Technology and Innovation at Bangkok University, and Founder & Creative Director of Bugblio Studio Co., Ltd.
3. Mr. Anuchit Iamsriurai, Chief Executive Officer of This Is Media Co., Ltd.

The format of the award judging criteria has been divided into 2 formats: Social Metric for Brand and Social Metric for Creator through 5 main platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube and in which every channel will have weight. Give different scores.

For this year, the Thailand Social AIS Gaming Awards 2025 is divided into 7 groups, totaling 39 awards as follows:

• Group 1: Rising Game Content Creator and Esports Players 6 awards
• Group 2: The Most Popular Game 10 awards
• Group 3: The Most Popular Gaming Industry and Business 5 awards
• Group 4: The Most Popular Game Content Creator 7 awards
• Group 5: The Most Popular Esports Players and Esports Club 9 awards
• Group 6: The Most Popular Game Content Creator on AIS eSports Fanpage 1 prize
• Group 7: Special Award 1 prize