Everyone’s A Gamer: A monthly digest for the gaming and esports curious.

Everyone’s A Gamer: A monthly digest for the gaming and esports curious.

Need to get up to speed on all things gaming and esports? Look no further. Each month, we’ll share a digest of the must-know esports info for those who are curious about engaging with this vibrant global audience of 3.4 billion people.


2025 ESPORTS & GAMING PREDICTIONS 🔮🎮

No crystal ball required. We asked EFG execs Craig Levine , Co-CEO, and Rodrigo Samwell , CCO, to share their top esports and gaming predictions for 2025. Here’s what they expect to to see:

1️⃣ Esports super events will build brand affinity: “Esports are drawing huge Gen Z crowds, and brands like DHL and Unilever are capitalizing on that trend with immersive experiences that build affinity with young consumers. From DHL creating a custom gaming mascot for EFG events to Intel celebrating fandom with a massive mural made by a local artist during IEM Rio, esports is a whiteboard that provides creative opportunities to engage a passionate and growing demographic as they celebrate their favorite pastime in 2025.” — Rodrigo Samwell

2️⃣ UGC will reshape the publishing model: “Following a surge of branded maps in Fortnite to Roblox reaching 79.5 million daily users (a 27% YoY increase), user-generated content is having a moment. That trend will continue in 2025, as solo developers and even hobbyists continue to disrupt the top-down publishing model that the industry’s become so accustomed to.” — Craig Levine

3️⃣ Heritage will be new again: “Amazon Prime’s Fallout TV series sparked a resurgence in the Fallout franchise – with Fallout 76 hitting more than 1 million daily players for the first time and a remaster of Fallout 4 capitalizing on that momentum. Video game adaptations are not only driving renewed interest in original titles but also inspiring the approach toward the next edition of your favorite game – and this feedback loop is the secret ingredient not just for publishers like Bethesda and Riot Games, but others bringing their IP to the big screen.” — Craig Levine


NAMES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Name: Mohamed "Mohamed Light" Tarek

3 Must-Know Facts: 

  1. He has won two CRL World Championships (2022 & 2024) and was the World Champion runner-up in 2021.
  2. He is also the most-winning professional Clash Royale player of 2024–being victorious during three and the runner-up during two Monthly Finals, securing the top spot on the CRL24 Points Leaderboard as well as the Community Tournament Leaderboard, consistently having multiple accounts finishing in the top 10 of Path of Legends each season, and more.
  3. He is widely regarded as the most humble and respectful CRL player.

Where he most recently made headlines: Clash Royale League 2024 World Finals

Name: Jorien "Sheever" van der Heijden

3 Must-Know Facts: 

  1. Now commonly regarded as the ‘Queen of Dota’, she started off her Dota 2 career as an avid and ever-growing streamer and commentator before she was asked to host The International in 2014.
  2. In 2017, she was diagnosed with cancer but despite undergoing extensive treatments, she remained active as an esports host until she became cancer-free again at the end of 2019.
  3. She has been featured in the premiere episode of the GG Legends series, a docuseries presented by the GUCCI Gaming Academy highlighting the journeys of esports icons who turned adversity into outstanding achievements.

Where you could see her most recently: ESL One Bangkok 2024

Name: Robin "ropz" Kool

3 Must-Know Facts: 

  1. He is renowned for his tactical and flexible gameplay as well as his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure.
  2. He started his esports journey as a casual player rising in the FACEIT ranks until cheating accusations led to an invitation first to the FACEIT office in London to prove his fair play and ultimately to join a Tier 1 team.
  3. He became the first Estonian to both attend and win a Major, achieving these milestones at PGL Major Kraków 2017 and PGL Major Antwerp 2022, respectively.

Where he most recently made headlines: PW Shanghai Major 2024


THE ROAD AHEAD FOR ESPORTS 2025

Follow us on LinkedIn for on-the-ground updates, deep dive audience insights and more from these major esports moments and more. 

IEM Katowice 2025

  • 🎮 Counter-Strike 2 
  • 📍 Katowice, Poland; the final three days will be live from the Spodek Arena
  • 📅 January 29-February 9
  • ℹ️ Official Website

Snapdragon Mobile Challenge Finals - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB)

  • 🎮 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
  • 📍 Live in Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • 📅 February 14-16
  • ℹ️ Official Website

ESL Pro League Season 21

  • 🎮 Counter-Strike 2 
  • 📍 Stockholm, Sweden (on LAN)
  • 📅 March 1-16
  • ℹ️ Interim Website

DreamLeague Season 25 

  • 🎮 Dota 2 
  • 📍 Online
  • 📅 February 16-March 2
  • ℹ️ Interim Website

SABAHRUDDIN ABDUL KARIM

Assistant Sales Manager at Capri by Fraser, Johor Bahru

1mo

I can't wait to see the one in Johor Bahru!!! 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

Love the insights! Excited to see what 2025 brings for the industry.

Marcelo Johas Carvalho

Esports & Gaming Operations Expert | Project Manager | Specialising in Digital Engagement, Event Management & Brand Growth

1mo

What a great way to wrap up the year with an inspiring edition like Everyone’s A Gamer! The power of esports and gaming to transform lives and shape the future of entertainment is truly fascinating. This edition seems to have something for everyone – from competitors to those simply curious about the gaming world. Congratulations on the initiative, ESL FACEIT Group!

Fabio Tambosi

Senior Vice President Global Marketing | MBA, Strategic Marketing Management

1mo

Fresh 🔥 and insightful.

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