Latest news with #SteveArhancet
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Inside Alienware And Liquid's $1M Play To Reignite NA Counter Strike
Team Liquid and Alienware know how to throw a party. North American Counter Strike just had one of it's biggest moments in years. The BLAST TV Major broke records globally, becoming the most watched CS Major of all time, all in a region that many have claimed in dying when it comes to Counter Strike's popularity. It was, without question, a defiant challenge to that way of thinking, showing that North American Counter Strike is well and truly alive. While BLAST deserves a lot of plaudits for its event, alongside it were two organisations that have been continuously supporting NA CS for over 13 years, Team Liquid and Alienware. The duo have long been partners, and have made the region a focus of their deal, supporting an NA based CS team, and activating continuously in the region, including the major where they had over $1 million in activations, featuring two fan-facing booths, a giant laptop centerpiece, 1v1 competitions, a NA GOAT Tier List experience, and a two-day watch party. 'North America is a key region for CS2, and we have a long history in the region,' said Steve Arhancet, co-CEO of Team Liquid. 'We've won titles in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston, so this is definitely not a one-off, it's a part of our long history representing North America in Counter Strike. Some of our organization's greatest moments have come on home soil, and with Valve bring the Major back to the US, it's our chance to let the world know that NA CS is still alive and kicking.' Liquid players still had fun at the Major despite a 15th place finish. The commitment to North American Counter Strike has been one of the key parts of the deal with Alienware, with both partners keen to make sure they keep active in the region even if others have started to leave in recent years. This is not only because they see potential financial rewards from NA, but also because they want to continue to support the region they have been such a key part of for many years and not leave it without another major player. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder 'There's been significant consolidation within gaming and esports in the region in comparison to Europe, and because the total number of teams has been reduced, that's left a lot of fans yearning for someone new to cheer for,' said Arhancet. 'They want someone that represents North America, taking the gold against the rest of the world. Doing this in North America with North American fans makes perfect sense for Team Liquid and Alienware because we understand that the region is a critical part of our growth strategies and worth investing in.' While the commitment to NA CS is admiral and from a business point of view is working out, on the competitive side of things, it isn't quite as simple. At the Major, Team Liquid finished in 15th-16th place, right in the middle of the pack. Not a terrible result by any means, but for an organization as storied as Liquid, the expectations are to be right at the top of the pack, even with the challenges their commitment to NA adds. 'Operating a Counter Strike team with a North American base is incredibly challenging,' said Victor Goossens, founder and co-CEO of Team Liquid. 'The talent pipeline has thinned significantly in recent years. This is largely due to ecosystem disruptions during COVID, a shift in focus toward Europe, and the rise of Valorant, which attracted many of North America's promising players. This has made building competitive rosters extremely difficult. Not only is the talent pool limited, but it is also hard to find high-quality practice within North America. Most top-tier teams with American players now spend the majority of their time in Europe, where the practice environment is much more competitive. While this is the only viable path to remain globally relevant, it has accelerated a downward spiral for the North American scene.' North America still loves Counter-Strike The extra challenges being an NA team brings obviously make things harder, but with the support of Alienware the Liquid organization has gone a long way to minimise them. The two companies have built state of the art training facilities on both sides of the Atlantic, which gives the team the chance to compete in both regions and should help even up the gap. 'Together with Alienware, we've built training facilities around the world, including in North America and the Netherlands,' said Goossens. 'That global infrastructure was critical during COVID, when we hosted our North American team in the Netherlands to keep them competing at a high level. And that support hasn't stopped, it's something we benefit from every single day. Thanks to our global setup, we're able to give our North American core the best environment possible. We believe in the region, we believe in our players, and with the backing of partners like Alienware, we're confident we'll make it back to the top of the podium.' It may be a while until a Counter Strike Major graces North American soil again, but with Alienware by their side, there is no doubt that Liquid will still be there, waving the flag for NA CS and supporting a region that many have developed. There is obviously a financial side that the companies see as viable, but it is clear that the deal between the two and the focus on North America is much more than that. Liquid and Alienware have built a legacy in the NA CS scene, and they aren't going to let that come to an end anytime soon, even if others start to walk away.
Los Angeles Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Esports World Cup Returns Bigger Than Ever - With $70M on the Line and a Vision for the Future
The world of esports is charging into its next era. With global revenues of more than $4.3 billion and growing, competitive gaming has never had more momentum. What was a niche scene just a few decades ago has grown into a global entertainment powerhouse, broadcasting live matches to millions, packing stadiums and producing household names out of digital athletes. But as esports matures, the conversation is shifting. It's no longer just about explosive growth or flashy prize pools – it's about building something that lasts for generations to come. And at the center of that conversation stands the Esports World Cup (EWC), returning this summer for its second edition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with an even bigger mission and a record-breaking $70-million prize pool. After a successful debut in 2024, the Esports World Cup is once again uniting top teams and players across 24 game titles, from esports staples like League of Legends and Counter-Strike to strategic newcomers like Chess. This year, the stakes are even higher – not only for the athletes competing but for the industry as a whole. A centerpiece of the competition is the Club Championship, which rewards teams for strong performances across multiple titles throughout the seven-week event. It's a format that encourages versatility and long-term team strategy, not just one-off wins. And it's not just prize money on the table. The EWC has also launched a $20-million Club Partner Program, supporting 40 esports organizations with funding for brand-building, content creation and fan engagement. Whether it's launching a new video series or building new communities around the world, the initiative is helping teams grow their presence well beyond the in-game action. To capture the full story behind the spectacle, the Esports World Cup is also stepping into the spotlight with 'Esports World Cup: Level Up,' a five-part documentary series now streaming on Prime Video with all episodes available to binge beginning in July. Directed by Emmy Award-winner R.J. Cutler (The September Issue, Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry), Level Up goes beyond the matches to follow the people behind them - players chasing their breakout moments, team CEOs making bold (and sometimes risky) roster decisions and coaches navigating the emotional highs and lows of the world's most dynamic new sport. The series paints a vivid picture of what it takes to compete on the global stage - not just talent, but teamwork, sacrifice and belief. The Esports World Cup is more than just another tournament. It's a platform for progress. It offers pros a path to career-defining prize money, gives teams new opportunities for growth and connects fans with deeper, richer stories from the games they love. 'Competing at the inaugural EWC contributed to one of the most successful competitive years in our 24-year history,' said Steve Arhancet, co-CEO of Team Liquid, which placed second in last year's Club Championship, taking home $4 million. 'With our winnings, we expanded into new games, strengthened our presence in Southeast Asia and supported philanthropic initiatives.' With over 2,000 players expected to compete for a record-breaking $70-million prize pool, the 2025 EWC promises high drama, unforgettable moments and a clear signal that esports is ready to move forward - not just fast, but smart. 'While more than $70 million is an incredible sum, it's always aligned with a long-term vision rather than short-term impact,' said Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation. 'It's not just to have more money at stake but to create opportunities for everyone at every level of the ecosystem and strengthen the industry for generations to come.' The action kicks off July 7 and runs through August 24. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the scene, the Esports World Cup is your front-row ticket to where the future of competitive gaming is headed.
