Dallas-based organisation Envy Gaming has entered a partnership with Belong Gaming Arenas, a company which operates a network of LAN centres.
The agreement intends on bringing “multiple” dedicated gaming venues to the North Texas area designed, built, and operated by both parties. A co-branded flagship gaming centre, as well as several smaller venues, will be placed across key North Texas cities with the intent of making social and competitive gaming more accessible.
RELATED: Twenty First Century Media launches TCM eSports
Adam Rymer, CEO of Envy Gaming, commented on the partnership in a release: “Envy and Belong share a passion for creating experiences where fans of gaming and those playing games, whether for fun or at the competitive level, can come together and celebrate their interests in a safe, welcoming environment. Partnering with a trusted global leader to develop physical spaces that provide comfort and create community in the North Texas gaming scene is an important focus for us at Envy.”
Belong operates a network of gaming arenas in the United Kingdom, each providing both PCs and consoles for attendees to play on. A flagship location is said to host up to 100 concurrent players onsite, which Belong will build in North Texas at the scale of the largest developed to-date. The venue operator will leverage proprietary software and esports solution provider Esports Engine to promote cross-location play where attendees can compete against one another in an assorted calibre of tournaments.
RELATED: From MLG to Vindex: The story of Mike Sepso
Envy Gaming and Belong centres will be open to all ages and feature exclusive tournaments and league play. Additionally, Envy Gaming’s team franchises including Dallas Empire, Dallas Fuel, and Team Envy, will arrive at its locations for appearances.
Today, esports infrastructure company Vindex revealed its acquisition of Belong. The report outlines the company’s intent of funding an additional 500 esports venues in the United States.
Esports Insider says: It’s quite surprising to see this level of commitment to physical venues amid the ongoing pandemic crisis. Nonetheless, Belong’s partnership with Envy Gaming will help them make a splash upon its U.S. arrival, while Vindex clearly has more global plans for its venues.