Multinational esports organisation Gen.G has teamed up with TiMi Esports, a subsidiary of technology conglomerate Tencent, to help promote mobile MOBA game Honor of Kings to a global market.
As a result of the partnership, Gen.G will compete as a guest team at the Honor of Kings International Champions (KIC) event in December.
Tencent-owned Honor of Kings was previously published only in China, with an international adaption of the game, Arena of Valor, published in markets outside China. However, the Honor of Kings Game itself is now receiving its own global launch, developer Level Infinite announced in June.
According to the announcement, Gen.G and TiMi Esports will cooperate ‘in various ways’ in line with Honor of Kings’ global launch. Details such as what the activations will entail, or when is the mobile MOBA’s global launch, have not been disclosed.
Honor of Kings International Champions sees teams competing for a share of its $10m (~£9.06m) prize pool. Gen.G’s roster will take part in the wildcard section of the tournament taking place from December 3rd-30th.
In addition to appearing at KIC, the organisation will open a Gen.G Academy class that aims to cultivate talent for the game.
In recent months, Gen.G continues to consolidate its position as one of the largest esports organisations in the world. In September, it partnered with motor oil brand Mobil 1 to launch men’s and women’s Rocket League teams. Moreover earlier this month, Korean American hip-hop artist Jay Park became its Executive Music and Entertainment Advisor.
Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G, spoke on the deal: “It is an honour to partner with Tencent, China’s largest IT company, and participate in the KIC competition.
“As much as Honor of Kings is a very well-known mobile game, we will make a greater effort to strengthen our domestic influence and build a community in Korea.”
Earlier this week Tencent lost a commercial defamation lawsuit against Moonton Games resulting in a £28,000 compensation payment. This is, however, separate from the ongoing US copyright lawsuit between the two companies.
