Latest news with #LevelUp
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Emmy-Winning Director R.J. Cutler's Docuseries Esports World Cup: Level Up Premieres June 6 on Prime Video
Groundbreaking Five-Part Series Chronicles the Inaugural Esports World Cup and the Intense Competition for a Record-Breaking $60 Million Prize Pool, Offering a High-Stakes, Character-Driven Look Inside the Future of Esports LOS ANGELES, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prime Video, one of the leading entertainment destinations, will premiere the five-part documentary Esports World Cup: Level Up on June 6, with new episodes released weekly. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler (Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry, Elton John: Never Too Late and Martha), the series goes behind-the-scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2024 — a defining moment in global esports, where over $60 million in prize money ignited a high-stakes, multinational battle to crown the world's top esports Club. The series is produced by This Machine (a part of Sony Pictures Television), with R.J. Cutler directing, John Dorsey serving as showrunner, and Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein and Mark Blatty executive producing. Level Up will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Esports World Cup: Level Up offers a rare look inside a global competition that's redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans. R.J. Cutler and his team of expert storytellers embedded themselves within the eight-week tournament – watched by over 500 million fans globally – to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and stakes driving the action. Shot in verité style, the series combines intimate home visits from around the world and on-the-ground coverage from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It follows a wide cast of characters – from Club CEOs orchestrating million-dollar strategies to rising stars chasing life-changing wins – while capturing the pulse of elite esports competition. 'What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,' said Cutler. 'Level Up isn't just about the incredible competition and prize money; it's about the dedication, the passion, and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million, but who also expose their humanity in the process.' At the heart of Level Up is the 'EWC Club Championship,' an unprecedented, multi-title tournament format where Clubs compete across more than 20 games, earning points toward a single leaderboard. Every match, every point, reshapes the race for global dominance. With the highest prize pool in esports history on the line, the EWC is not just a tournament – it's a proving ground for the next generation of sports icons. 'A win might make the headlines — but the real story is the people behind it,' said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. 'Level Up dives into the human side of esports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It's about what it really takes to compete at the highest level — and why it matters. R.J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we're building.' Standout stories from the series include: The inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024 featured 1,500 elite players and 200 Clubs from 100 countries competing in 22 tournaments across 21 games for a $60 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. Esports World Cup: Level Up will be available exclusively on Prime Video beginning June 6. About The Esports World Cup The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a premier annual sporting event and global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. The competition features a unique cross-game format that pits the world's top esports Clubs against one another for the largest prize pool in esports history. Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the summer of 2025, the EWC will bring gaming and esports communities together again to crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. About This Machine This Machine (a part of Sony Pictures Television) was founded in 2020 and has quickly established itself as one of the premier producers of documentary film and television in the world. Headed by award-winning filmmaker and nonfiction pioneer R.J. Cutler, This Machine is a filmmaker-driven company that explores the times in which we live through nonfiction storytelling in all media. Recent This Machine projects include the three-part documentary event Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series (Apple TV+) as well as the feature documentaries Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful (Netflix), Lee Soo Man: King Of K-Pop (Prime Video), Martha (Netflix) and Elton John: Never Too Late (Disney+). Other films and TV series include the PGA Award-nominated theatrical documentary The Disappearance of Shere Hite (IFC), the Emmy-winning documentary series Big Vape (Netflix), the HBO feature doc South to Black Power, the award-winning docuseries Murf the Surf (MGM), the celebrated history of women of color in the fashion industry, Supreme Models (Netflix) and the feature documentary Anthem (Hulu). This Machine is also behind the Academy Award-shortlisted Billie Eilish: The World's A Little Blurry, the multi-award-winning BELUSHI, and the cult-hit Dear… (Apple TV). This Machine's team includes Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning producer and executive Elise Pearlstein, Cutler's long-time producing partner Trevor Smith, EVP Mark Blatty, and the development team of Sally Rosen Phillips and Alisa Cacho-Sousa. This Machine's team has decades of experience creating the highest-quality and most popular nonfiction films and series as well as scripted series, feature films, and podcasts. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Esports World Cup Foundation
Axios
21-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Bingo Beer Co. just launched a line of THC-infused cocktails
Bingo Beer Co. just launched a line of THC-infused cocktails: High Score Beverage Co. Why it matters: These Richmond-made canned cocktails contain just enough THC to give drinkers a light buzz, but without any booze, so no hangover. The big picture: The folks at Bingo spent the better part of the past year working to create a nonalcoholic drink option to meet the growing demand, co-owner Jay Bayer tells Axios. They initially considered NA beer, but when they couldn't get the taste right, they started exploring the growing world of hemp-derived and THC-infused alternatives. The brewery wanted to create something that would give nondrinkers or the " California sober" a fun and delicious alternative to booze to enjoy on a night out. The branding is meant to evoke nostalgia and '90s mall rat vibes, just like the arcade portion of Bingo, he says. Zoom in: High Score Beverage Co. launched earlier this month with the first of its two planned product lines: Level Up, a THC-infused cocktail that "just feels nice and mellow," Bayer says. The cocktails are made in partnership with Virginia grower and producer Pure Shenandoah and boast a relatively low dosage of cannabinoids, with 2 milligrams of THC, plus 5 milligrams each of CBD and CBG. Level Up is available in two flavors for now: Grapefruit paloma and Ginger Mule, each just 40 calories. And both meet all the state's legal requirements for hemp-derived products, including having 25 times as much CBD as THC and publicly posting each batch's lab results. Where to buy: For now, Level Up is available at just a handful of local stores or bars, including Bingo, The Camel and Point Five in Carytown, but keep an eye out for a where to find section on their website. They retail for around $16.99 for a four-pack. What's next: Reset, their infused wellness line, should launch soon.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
Ghaziabad man spits on cream, gives massage to customer, held
Ghaziabad: A 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly spitting while applying cream on a customer's face at a salon in Dhana on Sunday. The arrest followed a video that surfaced on social media showing the man squeezing cream into his palm and then spitting on it before applying it to the customer's face. ACP Wave City Priyashri Pal said the 23-second clip was possibly recorded by a colleague or another customer at the salon, Level Up, in Wave City, Sector 5 and shared on social media on Sunday. Taking cognisance of the video, a complaint was filed at Wave City police station. An FIR was registered under BNS sections 271 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), Pal said. Cops analysed the clip to identify the salon and track the accused, Arshad Ali of Aslam Colony in Dasna. He was arrested on Sunday night. Police said Ali was hired at the salon just a week before the incident.
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Level Up' social hub in Riyadh
Level Up is a social hub in Riyadh for those seeking entertainment and connection. For just SR60 ($16), visitors gain access to activities ranging from board games and video games to virtual reality experiences. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ This multifaceted venue stands out as a gathering place for individuals with shared interests, making it easy to forge new friendships. One of the highlights at Level Up is its open mic nights, where local bands showcase their talents. This not only provides entertainment but also fosters a sense of community among those attending. The friendly vibe welcomes both extroverts and introverts, making it a space where people can comfortably engage in conversation or simply enjoy the performances. The hub also sells PlayStation 5 consoles and accessories, catering to gaming enthusiasts, as well as a range of anime and video game action figures for those into pop culture. One of the items on the menu I enjoyed was the iced matcha, which is popular among patrons. While visiting with a friend, I was captivated by the talented musicians at the open mic event, followed by an engaging session of board games. Level Up hosts discussions every Tuesday, featuring industry leaders such as marketing heads, board members, talent acquisition directors, CEOs, and founders. These events provide opportunities to learn from and engage with influential figures, helping to enrich the community experience. Whether you are looking to socialize, enjoy live music, or dive into gaming, Level Up is well worth a visit.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ENOC Group reports strong 2024 performance across key business segments
ENOC Group, a leading integrated global energy player, has announced strong performance in 2024 demonstrating significant progress across its five-pillar growth strategy, with services expanding to over 129 million customers across its network of 200+ service stations across the UAE, and operations spanning more than 60 countries globally. Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said, 'Building upon the strong foundation laid by our future-focused growth strategy, ENOC Group is accelerating its commitment to a sustainable energy future. Our 2024 performance is a direct result of our continued focus on driving operational efficiencies, embracing digital technologies, and expanding our global reach. The Group's achievements, particularly in areas like renewable energy solutions and operational cost reductions, reflect the continued momentum towards driving value for all our stakeholders as we contribute to the ambitious sustainability goals of Dubai and the UAE.' As part of its efforts to strengthen the UAE's retail fuel infrastructure, ENOC opened 9 new service stations across the country in 2024. The retail segment witnessed significant expansion and Tasjeel marked its 25th year of operations with the opening of 6 new sites while 4 new ENOC Link Smart Stations further strengthened the Group's network. ENOC's commitment to service excellence under the 'Think Customer' strategic pillar was recognised with 15 prestigious awards, a testament to the Group's reliable and efficient service offerings. A key element of ENOC Group's success in 2024 has been its strategic approach to global expansion. The Group currently operates in over 60 markets, having expanded international business with the successful completion of the Horizon JPUT Pipeline in Singapore. ENOC expanded its lubricant business with reach into more than 10 new markets in 2024 and its marine lubricants are now available at over 400 ports across local, regional, and international markets. The Group continues to explore new opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships to support long-term growth and solidify its position as a leading global energy player. Aligned with its strategy of developing a strong pipeline of local talent and providing opportunities for UAE nationals, the Group achieved an impressive Emiratisation rate of 52% last year, with 100% Emiratisation at the Executive level and 80% at the Senior Management level. ENOC Group's investments in leadership training initiatives to upskill and prepare future leaders saw 44 participants benefit from the LeaderSHIFT and Level Up programmes, contributing to the national development agenda. ENOC is also accelerating a more sustainable future for air travel with the supply of 1.17 billion US gallons of jet fuel across more than 300 airports in 28 countries. In addition, ENOC Group's Energy and Resource Management initiatives have generated over AED395 million in savings since 2014 and prevented over 703,000 metric tonnes of emissions. ENOC Group achieved significant operational efficiencies and upheld its workplace safety goals in 2024, achieving 20 million safe man-hours with no lost-time incidents, and reaching a cumulative total of 115 million safe man-hours without a lost-time incident from 2018 to 2024. The culture of continuous improvement and innovation at ENOC Group led to an overwhelming response to its Innovation Programme. Out of the 1,593 idea submissions, 138 were implemented, generating AED99.2 million or a 400% increase in financial gains.
