Following a strategic investment into Japan-based esports management agency, RELATION X, Gushcloud International (Gushcloud) makes a deeper move into the esports industry with the acquisition of DIVINITY’s contracts.
Under the terms of the deal, Gushcloud will become the majority shareholder of the esports talent company, which will be rebranded to ALMGHTY. ALMGHTY will consist of 22 athletes focused on mobile gaming, playing across 4 mobile game titles – Call of Duty Mobile, Mobile Legends Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, and Free Fire – and over 20 top content creators, such as YouTuber Zxuan, Facebook streamer Cheriwaza, and shoutcaster Reirachu.
A recent data report by Mordor Intelligence has stated that the Southeast Asia Gaming market is expected to register a CAGR of 8.5% over the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. The increasing popularity of players in various sports and growing investment in Internet infrastructure are the primary factors that will offer immense growth opportunities to the market. Specifically with regard to mobile gaming statistics, the report states that by 2021, the total mobile gamer user base will rise to 250 million. Beyond that, just in 2019, Southeast Asia generated game revenues of $4.4 billion in 2019, an impressive year-on-year growth of +16%. Mobile accounted for $3.1 billion of the 2019 revenues—or just over 70% of the market. This number is expected to grow.
“Mobile gaming is fuelling the growth of esports in Southeast Asia and now is the time to look at how we can shape the future for the current and next generation of gamers. Despite us being one of the top few mobile gaming teams in the region, our vision at ALMGHTY goes beyond competitive gaming,” mentions Billy Soo, co-Founder of ALMGHTY. “With this merger, we hope to imitate what the West has done with 100Thieves, FaZe Clan and more – particularly in content creation and to create a brand that fans will love. We are excited for this new acquisition because we can now leverage on Gushcloud’s global infrastructure and distribution network for our talent to grow into the new age superstars of mobile gaming.”
With this new acquisition, Gushcloud will work closely with Billy, “Sky Wee” Wee Yao Liang, and Jeffrey “JEFF TV” Tan to build ALMGHTY into a regional lifestyle brand and gaming organization. Gushcloud anticipates robust revenue potential not just from esports but from the commercial and social aspects in gaming and content. The company will add all the gaming athletes and talent into its exclusive representation roster and will be revamping an area within its existing HQ compound dedicated to esports training and gaming content creation. This is in line with plans to launch a gaming-centric YouTube channel in the second half of the year and to enter key markets like Indonesia and the Philippines next.
“Mobile gaming will become increasingly accessible and a child may look up to a mobile gamer over a soccer player in the near future. At Gushcloud, we believe that with the rise of esports and gaming within the influencer and content creation industry, it is important for us to invest our time and resources to build sustainable careers within the esports category,” says Joanne Liew, VP of Operations and Head of Studios for Gushcloud. “The ALMGHTY roster is made up of very talented young athletes and content creators who have close to 7 million fans in Southeast Asia. We are delighted to have Billy, Yao Liang, and Jeffrey on the team as we work together toward an aspirational and positive future for the
gamers.”
“Over the years, we’ve seen how esports has grown with more than 43 million gamers here in the Philippines. We’re thrilled to partner with ALMGHTY and help grow the brand in the country with the hopes of empowering enthusiasts to pursue a career in gaming. This is also a great opportunity to further establish Gushcloud Philippines’ growing presence in the esports industry,” adds Jamie Paraso, Country Director of Gushcloud Philippines.
ALMGHTY’s Call of Duty Mobile team is set to debut on March 25, 2021 at the Garena International 2021, while the Mobile Legends Bang Bang team will debut a week later at MPL SG Season 1.
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