Allied eSports Announces Formation of ELC Gaming with Launch of "Big Betty" eSports Roadshow Truck
gamescom 2016 Audiences Get First Chance to Experience "Big Betty"
COLOGNE, Germany, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- From center stage on the appropriately named new esports roadshow truck "Big Betty", Allied eSports announced today the formation of its new European-venture, ELC Gaming, at an unveiling event at gamescom. ELC Gaming is the owner and operator of Big Betty, the first of its kind mobile esports arena that serves as both a competition venue and full-service content production unit.
ELC Gaming will be launching the ESPORT LEGENDS CUP in 2017 where players will compete online and on the Big Betty stage for fame, prize money and the chance for their names to be engraved on the Legends Cup for eternal glory. Big Betty will be on tour in Europe this fall allowing gamers to experience the competition atmosphere on the Truck and the chance to win prize money and ELC partner products. The ELC Europe Tour is set to begin at Holstenhallen in Neumunster, Germany from September 30 to October 2 and will include events with Blizzard Entertainment title Hearthstone, Riot Games title League of Legends and more games to follow. More tour dates will be announced following gamescom.
"Our goal with ELC Gaming is to bring the excitement of professional esports competition to the everyday gamer's backyard," Jud Hannigan, Senior Vice President of Allied eSports said. "Big Betty provides us with both the mobility and production assets to deliver a truly unique and elite esports experience all across Europe."
The 21.5-meter (70.5 feet) long and 12.5-meter (41 feet) wide Big Betty weighs 31 tons and is equipped with the following features:
-- Competition stage with room for 24 gaming stations
-- 20 Large LED and TV Displays
-- State-of-the-art production equipment and control room
-- Concert style lighting and audio system
-- Full streaming and broadcast capability
-- Outdoor 'game-day' studio
-- Caster Booth inside Big Betty
-- Roof-top VIP Player Lounge
-- The ESPORT LEGENDS CUP
The ESPORT LEGENDS CUP trophy has been produced by the creators of the UEFA Champions League Cup and is handmade from the finest material under an intense production process that spanned more than 150 hours. Wherever Big Betty travels, the ESPORT LEGENDS CUP will be on display for live crowds and viewers to see.
ELC Gaming was launched by Allied eSports to complement its global esports property network and tournament plans. With the addition of Big Betty in Europe the Allied eSports Property Network also includes its recently announced investment in Esports Arena in North America and Wangyu eSports Arena, the company's first arena which opened in Beijing in November of 2015. Allied eSports is planning to have up to 10 properties around the world over the next 3 to 5 years.
"Big Betty and the ESPORT LEGENDS CUP will be key assets for our regional and global tournament plans that are coming in 2017," Hannigan said. "In addition to our own tournaments, we are looking forward to working together with game publishers, partners and municipalities to bring the impact and excitement of Big Betty to their events as well."
Led by a management team whose experience spans esports event production and streaming, on-air talent, broadcasting, marketing and media, ELC Gaming and Big Betty will be on display throughout gamescom 2016 running and streaming matches at set-times each day with both professional gamers as well as members of the gamescom crowd. Popular YouTubers and casters will be streaming from Big Betty throughout gamescom including famous German YouTube icon Simon Unge.
"Our aim for gamescom and beyond is to deliver exciting competition experiences for players as well as captivating streams for audiences to tune in to," Ian Langstaff, CEO of ELC Gaming said. "The ELC Europe tour this fall is a first taste for gamers around Europe. There will be much more to come in the future from Big Betty and ELC Gaming."
Up for grabs for winners at events at gamescom are special prizes from partners RAZER, noblechairs, ZOTAC, Kingston HyperX and Sansibar.
"We are especially pleased to have such household names in the industry partnering with us for the launch here at gamescom," Langstaff said. "It has been a positive indication that we are off to a solid start watching these respected companies share in our excitement in the lead up to Big Betty's debut."
For more information on ELC Gaming, the ESPORT LEGENDS CUP, the ELC Europe Tour and Big Betty, please visit http://www.elcgaming.com.
Allied eSports Contact
Koven Song - koven@allied-esports.com - +86-10-82378118
ELC Gaming Contact
Mike Hillen - mike@elcgaming.com
About Allied eSports
Allied eSports is a joint venture of the largest esports, sports and entertainment companies in China -- Ourgame International (SEHK: 6899), Wangyu Wangka -- the largest internet cafe chain in China, KongZhong (Nasdaq: KZ), Ourpalm (SZSE: 300315) and iRena (NEEQ: 834358). The company's mission is to build a global competitive esports property designed to connect players and fans via a network of arenas around the world which will serve as both battlegrounds and content generation hubs. The Allied eSports Property Network currently consists of Wangyu eSports Arena in Beijing, Esports Arena in Santa Ana, California and the Big Betty esports roadshow and production truck in Europe.
About ELC Gaming
ELC Gaming is the owner and operator of the first esports roadshow and production truck -- Big Betty -- as well as the organizer of the ESPORT LEGENDS CUP which will launch in 2017. The company is a subsidiary of Allied eSports and Big Betty is a member of the Allied eSports Property Network. In addition to the ESPORTS LEGENDS CUP, ELC Gaming will host Allied eSports-organized tournaments and leagues in the future.