Indian Animation House Launches Game Dev Studio to Share India’s Stories

It’s Wednesday, November 13th. An acclaimed Indian animation studio has entered the gaming industry, launching its own division dedicated to telling stories rooted in Indian culture and heritage. Today’s newsletter covers the debut of this new studio and what it is developing.

Also in today’s edition: Activision Blizzard’s recent study reveals the potential effectiveness of in-game advertisements, offering fresh insights on why they resonate with players. We also delve into the launch of STANfest 2024, the $650 million acquisition of Raid: Shadow Legends developer Plarium, and the latest class-action lawsuit filed against Ubisoft.

88 Pictures Enters Gaming Market with Division Focused on Indian Stories

Mumbai-based animation studio 88 Pictures, renowned for its work on Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia and Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, has launched 88 Games, a new gaming division aimed at bringing India’s cultural narratives to video game audiences. The unit will focus on developing indie titles for PC and consoles, prioritizing stories inspired by Indian culture and heritage.

Spearheaded by industry veterans Milind D. Shinde and Shiben Bhattacharjee, 88 Games aims to produce visually compelling games that draw from India's folklore and history. The division is currently developing three titles, with the first slated for release on Xbox and PlayStation, and will be showcased at the upcoming India Game Developers Conference 2024.

The entry into gaming marks 88 Pictures' expansion into a sector experiencing rapid growth in India, though it remains sparse in culturally reflective PC and console games. By tapping into the studio’s storytelling and animation expertise, 88 Games hopes to close this gap, creating globally resonant games rooted in Indian mythology.

"India has legends, stories, and art that form a unique kaleidoscope," said Shinde. "88 Games intends to translate this heritage into immersive gameplay that appeals to audiences worldwide."

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Activision Blizzard Study Highlights Gaming's Ad Potential in Attention Economy

In a world where 85% of consumers use a second device while watching TV, Activision Blizzard Media's Play It Forward report reveals gaming as a standout medium for capturing attention. The study shows that a third of players’ focus is consistently held by in-game ads, offering brands an immersive platform to engage audiences more effectively than traditional channels.

Gaming ads deliver unrivaled viewability, with 100% of gaming ads fully visible compared to 86% for online videos and 77% for social media. Immersive ad experiences within games yield impressive results, driving 99% ad viewability and 88% ad completion rates. Ads that integrate seamlessly into gameplay are highly effective; nearly 67% of gamers consider mobile gaming a go-to platform for relaxation, increasing their receptivity to relevant brand messages.

Immersion also correlates with emotional engagement, with 80% of players reporting increased attentiveness to gaming-related ads. Notably, 40% of players believe in-game ads play a direct role in enhancing their gaming experience. Positive ad experiences foster sustained attention and loyalty, with players who see contextually relevant ads showing 47% immersion recall scores.

For brands looking to engage hard-to-reach audiences, the study suggests that gaming is a robust platform for consistent, positive consumer interaction. Activision Blizzard Media asserts that the pathway to sustained attention lies in "ads that enhance the player journey."

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Meet the Top 40 Finalists of the Indie 40 Initiative at IGDC 2024!

This year’s India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) shines a spotlight on the best of Indian indie game development with the Indie 40 Initiative. From over 200 submissions, 40 finalists have been chosen for their innovative gameplay, visual appeal, and unique storytelling. These talented developers and studios will showcase their games at the IGDC expo from November 13-15, 2024, in Hyderabad, giving attendees a firsthand look at some of the most exciting indie games in development today.

The Indie 40 finalists represent a diverse range of creators each bringing fresh perspectives and immersive experiences. These developers will have dedicated spaces to display their work and connect with industry professionals, publishers, and fans, making this a prime opportunity for networking and inspiration.

IGDC is also offering a special rate for the Indie Table, enabling developers to bring their vision to life at the expo. The initiative aims to celebrate the indie spirit and provide a platform for talent discovery in India’s rapidly growing game development community. Don't miss this chance to meet the creators driving innovation in gaming at IGDC 2024!

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Quick Bytes

STAN Announces STANfest 2024

Indian social platform for gamers, STAN, will host STANfest 2024 on November 24 at Phoenix Palassio in Lucknow, bringing together over 20,000 attendees and 200 prominent gaming and lifestyle creators with a collective following of 600 million. The event, anticipated to be the largest creator fan gathering in India, will include Esports LAN tournaments, gaming awards, and live performances.

MTG to Acquire Raid: Shadow Legends Developer Plarium in $620 Million Deal

Modern Times Group (MTG) announced it will acquire Plarium, the developer of Raid: Shadow Legends, from Aristocrat Leisure Limited for $620 million, with $20 million deferred until 2026. The deal, expected to close in Q1 2025, is projected to boost MTG’s annual sales to over SEK 12 billion ($1.1 billion). Plarium, best known for Raid: Shadow Legends, posted $613 million in revenue for the year ending September 30, 2024, marking a 1.2% year-over-year increase.

Ubisoft Faces Class Action Over The Crew Shutdown

Ubisoft faces a proposed class action lawsuit filed on November 4, 2024, in California, over its shutdown of The Crew servers in March, which rendered the game unplayable. The plaintiffs allege Ubisoft misled consumers by implying ownership of the game, especially those with physical discs, while failing to disclose that server shutdowns could make it inaccessible. The lawsuit argues that Ubisoft's actions violate California consumer protection laws and seeks monetary damages for affected players. Ubisoft, which cited server infrastructure and licensing issues as reasons for the shutdown, had previously offered refunds for recent purchases.

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Did You Know

In 2019, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, a well-known U.S. private security and detective firm, filed a lawsuit against Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, over the use of the Pinkerton name and likeness in Red Dead Redemption 2. Pinkerton claimed the game misused its trademark and took issue with how its agents were portrayed as antagonists in the storyline. In the game, Pinkerton agents pursue the main character’s gang, creating tension and conflict.

Rockstar and Take-Two pushed back, filing a countersuit arguing that the depiction was protected by fair use. Take-Two argued that the reference to Pinkerton agents added historical authenticity to the game, which is set in 1899 and draws on real-life events and figures from the American West. They further argued that other films, shows, and games had similarly depicted the Pinkertons without facing legal challenges.

Ultimately, Pinkerton withdrew the lawsuit, but the case highlighted the growing legal tensions between historical representation and trademark rights in the entertainment industry. 

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Quote of the Day

Don't let the what-if's, maybe's and if-only's distract you. The one thing that you chose yourself, THAT is the truth of your universe."

Kamina, Gurren Lagann

Pixel P&L (12 November 2024): Can Prime Hydration and Feastables Compete with India’s Snack Staples?

It’s Tuesday, November 12th. Logan Paul, KSI, and MrBeast have arrived in Mumbai, stirring excitement as they officially launch their Prime hydration drink and Feastables chocolate bars in India. In today’s newsletter, we break down their prices and see how they stack up against local favorites.

Plus, don’t miss Lumikai’s latest report projecting India’s gaming industry to hit $9 billion by 2029. We also dive into an exclusive chat with IGDC 2024’s organizers on how they’re transforming the event into a must-visit for everyone invested in Indian gaming, along with other industry updates (including a $139M corruption scandal) you won’t want to skip.

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MrBeast and Logan Paul’s Prime and Feastables Take Aim at India’s Snack and Beverage Giants

After much anticipation, Prime Hydration and Feastables, products by YouTube stars Logan Paul, KSI, and MrBeast, have officially launched in India, hitting shelves in popular retail chains like Reliance Smart Bazaar, Freshpik, and JioMart.

Feastables, the chocolate brand from Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson, is priced at ₹499 ($5.90) for 60 grams and ₹349 ($4.13) for 35 grams, entering a market where competitors like Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk sell for ₹70 ($0.83) per 60 grams. Meanwhile, Prime, the hydration drink co-created by Logan Paul and JJ "KSI" Olatunji, is priced at ₹399 ($4.72) for 500ML, aiming to rival drinks like Gatorade, which retails at ₹50 ($0.59) for the same volume.

To promote the launch, the YouTubers appeared at Mumbai’s Jio World Drive Mall, drawing a massive crowd. Clips of their arrival circulated widely on social media, showing excited fans and Bollywood’s Saif Ali Khan, Shilpa Shetty and more. The group’s adventure also included a ride in a Mumbai auto rickshaw, where a viral video captured Logan Paul in the driver’s seat, with MrBeast and KSI joining as passengers.

The launch comes on the heels of a recent controversy involving the YouTubers’ latest product, Lunchly, a pricier, healthier take on the popular Lunchables snack packs in the West. Created as a joint venture, Lunchly sparked concern after YouTube baker Rosanna Pansino found mold in a pack she reviewed on her channel. Pansino’s video, which went viral, showed moldy cheese in a Lunchly set purchased just a day prior. "This is not safe, especially for kids," she said, pointing out that young consumers might not recognize mold. Although Lunchables has faced similar issues, Lunchly's higher price and claims of quality have drawn particular criticism.

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India’s Gaming Sector Outpaces Growth Forecasts, Eyes $9 Billion Milestone

India's gaming market reached $3.8 billion in FY24, growing faster than anticipated as in-app purchases (IAP) and ad revenues surged, according to the Lumikai Gaming Report 2024. Fueled by high engagement from over 590 million gamers—23 million of whom joined this year—India is now the world’s second-largest mobile gaming market, surpassing the U.S. and Brazil in downloads.

Key revenue drivers included in-app purchases (IAP), which grew 41% year-over-year, and midcore games, which reported a 53% rise in IAP revenue. The sector is projected to expand at a 20% compound annual growth rate, expected to reach $9.2 billion by FY29. Despite strong overall growth, the real-money gaming segment faces profitability challenges due to new GST regulations, which have increased the tax burden.

And it’s not just numbers; India’s gaming culture is evolving fast. Non-metro players now make up 66% of the market, women gamers are at an all-time high of 44%, and players are clocking an average of 13 hours per week—a 30% spike. Paying gamers increased by eight million, bringing the total to 148 million, with average annual revenue per paying user rising to $22, underscoring the market's rising monetization potential and growing appeal.

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From WhatsApp to World Stage: The Volunteer-Driven Rise of IGDC

From a small meet-up in Hyderabad to a powerhouse of 4,000 attendees, the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) has grown into a must-attend event for Asia’s gaming industry. With a mission to elevate India’s role in global game development, IGDC has transformed from grassroots efforts into a platform spotlighting Indian talent and innovation. This year's event promises robust participation from international investors, publishers, and top companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft.

We spoke with Sridhar Muppidi, co-founder of YesGnome and a key IGDC organizer, who shared the journey from WhatsApp groups to globally attended conference. Muppidi highlighted the dedication of IGDC’s all-volunteer team and the evolution of programs like the Investor Publisher Connect, now hosting over 3,000 meetings with top investors.

With regional government support, initiatives like the Young Indies Scholarship, and aspirations to rival events like GDC in San Francisco, IGDC aims to establish India as a leading player in global gaming. This year’s conference is more than an event—it’s a movement designed to turn aspirations into industry reality. Don’t miss our in-depth feature, where Muppidi dives into the vision driving IGDC’s ambitious future.

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Quick Bytes

Xbox Series X India Restock Delayed Until March 2025 Amid Ongoing Shortages

India won’t receive an official restock of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X until March 2025, according to Indian gaming industry expert Rishi Alwani. On his blog, Alwani reported that Xbox’s Indian distributor, Redington, has informed retailers that restocking won’t happen until next year. The console has been out of stock in India for three months, frustrating customers eager to buy it. This delay follows recent rumors about Xbox’s potential exit from the Saudi Arabian market, highlighting continued supply challenges for Microsoft 

Nine NetEase Employees Arrested in $139M Bribery and Money Laundering Probe

Nine employees of Chinese tech giant NetEase, including general manager Jin Yuchen and esports head Xiang Liang, have been detained on charges of money laundering and bribery totaling $139.3 million, as reported by Bloomberg Law. The alleged corruption spanned the company’s esports and marketing sectors, according to Yicai Global. NetEase has since fired those involved and blacklisted 27 associated external companies. An internal memo confirmed the dismissals, while a spokesperson told Eurogamer that authorities are investigating but declined further comment. This marks NetEase’s second major anti-corruption investigation since September 2023.

MOONTON Unveils M6 World Championship Details, Secures Malaysian Government Endorsement

MOONTON Games has announced key details for the M6 World Championship, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s season finale in Malaysia. The tournament, held at Kuala Lumpur’s Axiata Arena, will feature a ‘carnival’ event from December 13-15 alongside the M6 Grand Final weekend. The carnival will include family-friendly activities with free entry, catering to Mobile Legends fans. Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Adam Adli, endorsed the event, reinforcing the government’s MYR 20 million (~£3.5 million) commitment to esports development. 

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Did You Know

Early copies of Tiger Woods 99 for PlayStation 1 contained an unexpected Easter egg—a hidden video file of the first-ever South Park short. This occurred when the game disc was placed in a computer, revealing a secret .DAT file that, when opened, would play the short titled The Spirit of Christmas, created by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The inclusion of this video was a rogue decision by a developer who reportedly snuck it in without official approval from EA, the game's publisher.

Once EA discovered the hidden clip, they quickly initiated a recall of the first 100,000 copies of Tiger Woods 99, fearing backlash over the mature content embedded in a family-friendly sports title. Despite EA’s swift response, some copies remained in circulation, becoming a sought-after collector’s item for both gaming and South Park fans. 

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Quote of the Day

I trust you have learned. To fight out of fear or anger is to fight a war that never ends. Face your fears, calm your hatreds. Find peace within yourself, so that you may share it with the world around you. These are the greatest treasures in life. Surely they.... Are worth fighting for."

Emperor Shaohao, World of Warcraft

AFK Weekly: Goodbye Until Next Time!

Hello everyone! It is with great sadness that I share that this is the last edition of our weekly Esports Business Insights newsletter. When we started this newsletter, we had several lofty goals: We wanted to be the go-to source for content about esports business and enrich your inboxes with valuable content that you might be willing to pay for. Unfortunately, we’ve fallen short of our targets and hence have made the difficult decision to  close shop for the moment.

It has truly been a pleasure working with James Fudge and Trent Murray on this project. I’ve learned so much about editing and copy-writing esports industry news from two masters of the craft, and hope to continue to do so from their future endeavors which include James’ People on the Move and The Fudge Retort newsletters. A huge thank you to all of our readers who have subscribed to the newsletter and have been part of this journey! Without your appreciation and support, we couldn’t have made it this far. 

To that end, for one last time, let’s dive into the biggest and most impactful moves in the industry this week.

— Vignesh Raghuram, Supervising Editor, AFK Gaming

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BGMI removed from India amidst fears of China Link

On July 29, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), the localized variant of popular esports title PUBG: Mobile that caters to Indian players, was removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. 

Reuters reported that the Indian government banned BGMI under a section of its IT law. The government can block public access to content under section 69A of India’s IT law, in the interest of national security, among other reasons. This was the same section that was used to ban PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Arena of Valor, and other esports titles in 2020. 

According to a report from News18, BGMI was banned as a result of a report by a central intelligence agency and a communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity). A government official reportedly stated that the app has been communicating with servers directly or indirectly located in China which is the primary source of concern and put it under scrutiny.

AFK Gaming’s sources close to Krafton stated that the block is a suspension and not a ban on the game. The issue is currently under investigation, the outcome of which will determine whether the suspension gets lifted or is turned into a permanent ban of the game. 

Following the block, Krafton’s share price plummeted by as much as 9% on the Korean stock exchange before recovering to 5.7% by the time the market closed for the day. The game’s publisher Krafton has invested over $100M USD in the Indian market, with reported plans to increase it to $140M this month. It was also reportedly open to investing an additional $100M in Indian startups this year.

Sean Hyunil Sohn, head of India division at Krafton, issued a statement assuring the public that the company has always been compliant with all regulations in India including data protection laws and that the company has been working with the Indian government to resolve any issues with the game.

Key Takeaway: BGMI was easily the biggest esports title in the country and the government’s move of removing it from the Google Play Store and App Store without prior warnings will likely cause a temporary recession in the country’s esports ecosystem. There will be a vacuum of events, while popular content creators and tournament organizers make a move towards other titles which could replace it. 

With the obvious alternative, Free Fire, also being banned within the country, Indian esports will either have to make a shift towards PC games such as Valorant or titles from Western publishers such as  Call of Duty Mobile or Apex Legends Mobile to fill the void. The ban also showcases the problems of the Indian esports industry over relying on any single title for viewership and player base. Perhaps this will incentivize the industry to promote multiple titles and cast a wider net when building the country’s esports infrastructure.

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Misfits Gaming Group Sells LEC Spot to Team Heretics

Misfits Gaming Group (MGG) has sold its League of Legends European Championship (LEC) spot to Spanish organization Team Heretics and will be bidding adieu to the LEC next year. Additionally, Misfits will also be quitting from the Ligue Française de League of Legends (LFL), marking the organization’s departure from the competitive League of Legends scene at the conclusion of the 2022 season. 

Neither team has disclosed financial information about the deal. However, Misfits confirmed that the transaction will go into effect for the 2023 season with MGG remaining a minority partner in the team. 

Riot Games has affirmed that MGG is entitled to all proceeds from the transfer of its right of participation in the league and that the LEC will not receive any of the proceeds related to the transaction. This move comes as MGG continues the expansion of a larger strategy to invest more in creators alongside esports. However, the organization confirmed that it will continue to field its teams in Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Valorant.

Key Takeaway: Historically, the sale of an LEC slot has meant little for the competitive success of the new team or the results of the region internationally. Astralis and BDS remain bottom-tier teams with little sign of a commitment to the kind of spending or long-term infrastructure that would result in competitive success. Still, the numbers keep going up for the league and League of Legends as a whole remains overwhelmingly the most successful esport on the planet. Ultimately, the sale by Misfits likely says less about League of Legends or the LEC and more about the value of streamlining your brand in a single region rather than trying to find sponsors for a European franchise alongside your Florida teams.

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Quick Shots

• Riyadh will host an esports and gaming forum that will bring together sector leaders and experts from around the world to discuss and collaborate for the development of the esports ecosystem. The forum will include key leaders from British Esports, Global Esports Federation, GGTech, Africa Esports Development Federation (AEDF), and Esports Entertainment Group.

• Southeast Asian organization Boom Esports has partnered with PC hardware brand AMD. The hardware manufacturer will provide hardware and collaborate with Boom Esports on content for its Dota 2 and Valorant teams. 

• FaZe Clan has launched a new activation with food delivery platform DoorDash called “FaZe Subs.” Sandwiches inspired by various FaZe members will be made available on the food delivery app as a result of this collaboration.

• U.K.-based Guild Esports has added performance technology manufacturer Hyperice as its partner as part of a one-year deal. Hyperice will gain exclusive naming rights to Guild’s recovery room situated within its headquarters and will provide its recovery and wellness technology for the organization’s players. 

• Canadian esports and entertainment company X1 Esports has agreed to buy Rocket League esports news outlet ShiftRLE. X1 Esports will purchase the entirety of ShiftRLE for $50K in cash with ShiftRLE’s four key personnel also receiving 333.33K of X1 Esports’ common shares. A 7% share of gross revenues Shift earns in the first 36 months following closing to a maximum of $250K will also be distributed to the group.

• Wild Rift has introduced The Wild Circuit 2022 as the official off-season esports tournament in Brazil, China, LATAM, North America, and SEA/Korea/Japan. Competitions will take place from July 18- 23, which will be Wild Rift's off-season and will be hosted by third-party organizers who will receive operational and prize pool support from Riot.

The Final Issue of People on the Move With AFK Gaming

I have some bittersweet news to report: this will be the last edition of People on the Move associated with our friends at AFK Gaming. Our experiment over the last four months with AFK comes to a close this week, and I greatly appreciate the support of the entire team. Vignesh Raghuram, Nishant Patel, and the entire AFK crew have been incredibly supportive of our newsletter experiments over these last few months, and even though we are parting ways and charting different courses, I will continue to champion their excellent work and root for their continued success–which is the long way of saying that they we will continue to be friends for the rest of our days. Thank you AFK and our readers!

So what’s going to happen to People on the Move after this week? Well I’m going to take over the newsletter completely. The format will remain the same, but it will no longer require a subscription (and it will remain free for as long as I decide to continue writing it). If you are a fan of this newsletter I encourage you to sign up at peopleesports.substack.com (you can also sign up for my other newsletter, The Fudge Retort at jamesfudge.substack.com).  Finally, thank you to everyone who supported People on the Move on AFK–without you there’s no point to all of this hard work.

With that out of the way, let’s get into this week’s biggest moves in esports and gaming!

- James Fudge.

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Movers & Shakers

Nigma Galaxy announced the appointment of former Rix.GG CEO and Fnatic Head of Team Operations Jan Hoffmann as its new head of operations. Hoffmann will be responsible for “all operational aspects of Nigma Galaxy,” according to a release.

Jessey Finizio joins Texas-based esports organization Complexity Gaming as its new vice president of sponsorship sales. She sjoins from Twitch where she spent more than a year as director of client strategy at the streaming platform. Prior to that she served in similar roles at Vice Media, Turner Broadcasting System, Everyday Health, PureWow, and Refinery29.

Andrea Dela Cruz will be joining Los Angeles-based esports organization 100 Thieves at the beginning of August as the new product marketing manager for its Higround division. Dela Cruz joins the company from Square Enix America, where she spent nearly three years handling product marketing for Japanese titles and retail. Prior to that she worked for Skechers in similar product marketing roles for over a year.

Lisa Alexander has joined Reddit Gaming as its new senior client partner. Alexander joins the company after just six months serving as sales director for media & entertainment at LG Ads Solutions. Prior to joining that company she worked for Imgur for more than fours years in various executives sales roles, nearly four years at Turner Broadcasting Systems, and nine months at MTV Networks.

Anthony King, Jr. joins Discord as its new senior manager of global partnerships. King joins from Twitch where he spent more than four years in partnership and developer relations roles. He also co-founded New York-based Nebulous Esports Management in 2014, where he learned in the trenches about securing partnerships and sponsorships during his three years there.

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People on the Move

Here is this week’s list of promotions, hires, and departures in the gaming/esports industry: 

• Matthew King has been promoted to the role of director of esports at NJCAA Esports.

• Aliana Miller joins Roblox as its new director of influencer marketing.

• Former 100 Thieves exec Jeremy Azevedo and  REMEZCLA  exec Jeremy Azevedo join Loaded's new development studio Open World.

• Will Siderys has been promoted to the role of music partnerships manager at Discord.

• Robert Wei announces his exit from Free Fire maker Garena and his role as producer of original entertainment content.

• Lee Cramp rejoins the Esports Awards as business development manager–the last time he worked for the company was in 2021. 

• Jordan Trabue exits his role as chief revenue officer at Unified.

• Aftershock Media Group has promoted Monique Higgins to the role of lead talent manager.

• Simon Gamboa leaves his role at TikTok to join Meta (Facebook) as its new client solutions manager for gaming.

• Keith Colton has joined Activision Blizzard to serve as senior director of strategy & operations for ABK Mobile partnerships.

• Ivona Novak has joined EA Sports as development director–with a focus on its soccer games.

• Geoff Bennett has been promoted to the role of technical SEO manager at Entain. 

• Jay Carney exits Amazon, leaving behind his role as the top public relations and public policy executive.

• Ryan Gmerek is promoted to the role of VP of new business sales at YouGov.

• Jesica O'Black joins Activision Blizzard as a test analyst.

• Sean Bamberger leaves his role of director of project planning at Sega Europe to join Ninja Theory as its new "senior business operations ninja."

• Thomas Pae joins Electronic Arts as its new senior director of global growth & engagement marketing.

• Harris Wang leaves his role as business director of GCR gaming at Meta (Facebook) to launch a new blockchain gaming company called Threepeat.

• Pourushasp Mehta is promoted to the role of communications manager at Red Bull India.

• Scott Daryl Hadjiril joins Nigma Galaxy as its new content lead.

• Thamizh Chelvan exits PlayTonia eSports to rejoin The Esports Club as its new senior broadcast producer. 

• Hailey Gronquist has signed a contract with Gamer Advantage to fill a partnership manager role–she will continue working for Cinch Gaming as well.

• Kaitlyn Retner leaves G FUEL to join Mohegan Sun as a product operations specialist for digital gaming.

• Shadi Nayyer is promoted to the role of head of community for North America at TikTok.

• After being laid off from InvenGlobal earlier this month, Samantha Nye finds a new home at Moonrock Agency as social media manager.

• Brian Kuhn exits Halo maker 343 Industries to join Blizzard Entertainment as its new technical lead, principal I. 

• Jordan Abousaada is promoted to the role of video operations manager at Meta (Facebook).

• Lily Kim is promoted to the role of software engineer at Activision Blizzard as part of its Level Up U program.

• Daniel Minukhin takes on a new role as Python developer at Bayes Esports.

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In Case You Missed it

• Riot Games gets greenlight from judge to pay out $100M to settle gender discrimination cases.

• Adam Fitch talks to Dexerto’s Ross Deason about the state of esports media in his latest podcast for Hitmarker.

• Google cools on hiring for a bit.

• U.S. tech companies begin severing ties with China as the government gets ready to strike.

• Warner Bros Discovery announces the exit of eight veteran staffers.

• How CEOs can do their part to advance racial equality.

• Tencent exec: China needs to fill two million esports jobs over the next four years.

• Bahrain-based female esports player Maryam "Mary" Maher joins G2 Esports as part of the G2 GOZEN roster.

• Shopify laid off about 1,000 workers, or 10% of its global workforce this week. 

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Want to highlight your latest hire? Looking to promote a new job opening? Drop me a line at jamesbfudge@gmail.com with the subject line “People on the Move.”