Chinese tournament operator Funspark has selected Berlin-based data platform GRID esports to supply match integrity services and data visualisations for its upcoming Funspark ULTI 2021 circuit.
The CS:GO series, which features a total prize pool of $630,000 (~£458,907), will run from March 29th to December 12th, ending with a Grand Final on a yet to be announced date.
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According to the release, the 32 team tournament is part of Funspark’s initiative to develop the CS:GO ecosystem in Asia, whilst also connecting Chinese teams to European franchises. Funspark is also looking to create a global competition and propel local talent in the process.
GRID esports’s agreement continues the firm’s trend of collaborating with tournament organisers, with Funspark joining the likes of WePlay Esports and Esforce Holding as partners.
Jingjie Luo, Head of China at GRID esports, commented: “It is exciting to support Funspark ULTI 2021. The team at Funspark always takes production and competition to the next level. At GRID, we supply the abilities for partners to unlock the potential of their data. We expect this tournament to be the biggest splash of 2021 yet.
“Our watch pages will allow fans at home to follow the action with in-depth insights and provide visualisations that were previously only available in-game.”
GRID’s watch pages will include real-time statistics and predictions for all events in the series and will supply social media assets for distribution.
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Moreover, Relog Media has become a tournament partner for the Funspark ULTI 2021 Europe Series to assist in its production. GRID is currently collaborating with Relog Media for the Home Sweet Home Series.
Aska Wang, Head of Esports at Funspark, added: “Funspark is a gaming lifestyle centred brand. We are committed to becoming the most professional and influential esports brand in Asia. Funspark is very happy and honoured to have reached a strategic agreement with GRID in the first step in our overseas development.
“This cooperation is not a one-dimensional cooperation of the tournament, but a multi-dimensional cooperation centred on the brand linkage of the commercial and the data for overseas tournaments in China. We hope that the cooperation between our two companies will be delighted.”
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Esports Insider says: GRID’s portfolio of tournament organisers continues to grow with the firm securing yet another partner. What is even more interesting is how the data platform is not limiting itself to one region, with the firm instead focusing on ensuring data and integrity services are provided across an array of titles, particularly CS:GO.