In a monumental leap towards the future of gaming, we are excited to announce that the world of gaming guilds is undergoing a revolutionary transformation with the advent of the metaverse. This virtual universe, composed of interconnected digital spaces, has opened the doors for gaming guilds to claim their stake in the burgeoning digital economy.
With the upcoming launch of TCG World in 2024, the platform is setting the stage for this transformation. TCG World, a virtual world within the metaverse, has successfully registered over 30 gaming guilds with a combined membership of more than 50,000 players. These guilds are drawn to the promising prospects of owning digital assets within the metaverse, ranging from virtual land to in-game items and other virtual goods.
Among the registered guilds, The Artist Guild Web3 stands out as a beacon of creativity and innovation. This guild is not merely a community; it’s a thriving ecosystem that brings together digital and real-life artists. Members unite under the common interests of arts, music, comedy, digital arts, crypto, the metaverse, and Web3, creating a vibrant tapestry of support, education, and friendship. The Artist Guild Web3 embodies the boundless potential of the metaverse, where creativity knows no limits, and dreams are transformed into reality.
Similarly, The Pit Stop Guild has created a unique niche for automotive enthusiasts within the metaverse. Seamlessly blending the worlds of cars, racing, and the metaverse, The Pit Stop Guild offers a friendly community where members gather for regular races, events, and meet-ups within TCG World. The guild is home to the adorable TPS Mechanix mascots, delightful robots that embody the spirit of the community, promoting the guild and offering support to its members.
The DRC (Dragon Riders Club) is an exclusive guild within the vibrant universe of TCG World Metaverse, specially designed for holders of 8 Dragon Cave Club NFTs. As a member of this elite club, users are granted access to unique content, special in-game privileges, and a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for the metaverse and its endless possibilities. DRC represents not just a guild, but a tight-knit family of adventurers and creators shaping the future of TCG World.
Lastly, The Beverly Whales Guild is a testament to the diversity and inclusivity of the metaverse. Nestled at the heart of the Marina in TCG World, this guild brings together people from all walks of life. Members forge new friendships, play games, and explore the vast digital playground that is the metaverse. With a shared love for water, fun, and gaming, The Beverly Whales Guild is blossoming into a full-fledged community of like-minded individuals.
The move towards the metaverse and ownership of digital assets marks a pivotal shift in the world of gaming. TCG World is empowering players with tangible stakes in the virtual world, adding a new dimension to the gaming experience. This not only opens up new opportunities for players to derive real-world value from their in-game achievements but also paves the way for a new era of gaming. An era where players have more control over their virtual assets, and where collaboration and creativity know no bounds.
Join us as we step into the future of gaming, where the metaverse is not just a virtual playground, but a canvas for imagination, a space for collaboration, and a new frontier for the gaming community to explore and conquer.
About TCG World
TCG World is a leading Metaverse set to launch in 2024. The platform offers gaming guilds the opportunity to own digital assets, including virtual land, in-game items, and other virtual goods. With a focus on innovation and technological advancement, TCG World Metaverse seeks to redefine the way we interact with digital content.
In a groundbreaking move that promises to redefine the esports landscape, the globally-renowned K10 Esports announces its next venture: diving into the world of the Metaverse with TCG World. As they continue their relentless pursuit of glory in games such as CS2, Valorant, and many more titles to come, K10 is now set to offer fans an unprecedented immersive experience by streaming their matches live in virtual venues within the TCG World Metaverse.
This pioneering approach stands as a testament to the evolving nature of esports and the gaming industry. “The Metaverse is not just a digital realm; it’s the future of entertainment. By bringing esports into this virtual domain, we’re not just playing games; we’re creating experiences. When it comes to esports and the Metaverse, there are many roads to success, but with the activations we have worked on together, we are building tomorrow’s champions today,” says Oliver Holloway from K10.
The TCG World Metaverse offers an unparalleled platform for fans. Instead of merely watching a game on a screen, enthusiasts can now step inside virtual arenas, feel the electrifying atmosphere of a live match, interact with fellow fans, and even get a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite players. It’s a transformative experience that bridges the gap between the digital and physical, making fans feel like they’re right there with the team.
For gamers, this venture offers more than just entertainment. It’s a chance to be part of a community, to learn from the best, and to witness history in the making. The Metaverse provides endless opportunities for engagement, from virtual fan meet-and-greets to exclusive in-game items and experiences.
“We believe in pushing boundaries. With TCG World Metaverse, we’re not just offering a new way to watch esports; we’re reimagining the entire fan experience. From a multitude of event experiences, which includes many domestic events to the CS:GO Paris Major with a crowd of 20,000 strong, there is a unique comparison that can be made to the amazing community offered by TCG and the Metaverse. Now is the time to unlock the future,” adds Ethan Rogerson from K10.
As the K10 Esports Team continues its journey, dominating leaderboards and setting new standards in the industry, this Metaverse integration represents an exciting new chapter. The team invites gamers, fans, and curious minds from all over the world to join them in this revolutionary experience.
“Our aim has never been higher. It’s time to deliver new experiences. We will connect esports and the Metaverse, we will connect the passion and love for technology, gaming, and competitive play to all the fans and supporters, and we will provide unique immersive experiences,” Oliver Holloway from K10 states.
Don’t miss out on the future of esports. Join us as we gear up for an exciting journey into the world of competitive gaming!
About K10 Esports Team
Founded in the summer of 2022, K10 is a domestic industry leader within esports, embracing a mixed set of both traditional and contemporary ideals upon which they have built a successful business model while simultaneously being able to win championships. After a year full of success and rapid growth, K10 will continue to be a trailblazer and push boundaries within esports for years to come.
About TCG World Metaverse
TCG World Metaverse is a leading Metaverse platform that offers immersive experiences in various domains, including gaming, education, and entertainment. With a focus on innovation and technological advancement, TCG World Metaverse seeks to redefine the way we interact with digital content.
Iconic Sports Brand Celebrates the Season with Collegiate-Inspired Style
U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), has launched its classic, sport-inspired Fall-Winter Collection for 2023. The brand’s global photo shoot took place in the rolling hills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, resulting in images and video used by U.S. Polo Assn. partners around the world. Chosen for its sparkling lakes, harvest hues, and historic college campuses, stunning Northern Georgia provided a picturesque backdrop for the season’s all-American styles.
The Fall-Winter 2023 Collection showcases both models and polo players in bold patterns, varsity lettering, and cozy flannels to represent U.S. Polo Assn.’s sport-inspired style this season. Shot in a scenic collegiate setting, colorful earth-toned long-sleeve polo shirts are layered with textured sweaters and lightweight puffer vests amidst campus courtyards and rustling leaves. Historic architecture and lakeside parks created amazing images for the brand to highlight its collection to consumers in stores and online around the world.
“The launch of our Fall-Winter 2023 Collection is an exciting start to the season, as the U.S. Polo Assn. brand captures our authentic connection to the sport of polo and shares the inspiration with our partners across 190 countries,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “U.S. Polo Assn. looks forward to bringing this collection to consumers for the upcoming holiday season as we continue to build on our global momentum with great products at affordable prices.”
Soft textures, relaxed fits, and comfortable fabrics inspired by classic, campus style are all standouts in the U.S. Polo Assn. Fall-Winter 2023 Collection. Fans of the brand can pair the fall-colored accents of rich burgundy, deep navy, and golden yellow with classic neutrals of khaki and cozy denim to create crisp, collegiate looks that are perfect for the season. Not to mention, timeless staples such as dresses, stylish winter accessories, corduroy shackets, and fashionable footwear that are all available for men, women, and children.
“Our Design Team is excited to bring to market updates on classics for the U.S. Polo Assn. Fall-Winter 2023 Season! Classic flannels and polos, textured sweaters, along with new twists on the classic puffer jacket are all a big part of the core designs across our product line worldwide,” said Brian Kaminer, SVP of Brand and Product Development for the U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “The trend towards a more relaxed silhouette fits well into our classic collegiate attitude, shown in our men’s, women’s, and children’s collections. Each season we challenge our creativity in search of unique design elements that translate our classic, all-American styling into garments that become the favorite items in our customer’s wardrobes.”
U.S. Polo Assn. is known worldwide for its authentic, sport-inspired style and the brand’s signature red, white, and blue stripe detail. The Fall-Winter 2023 Collection follows suit with bold and fresh assortments that combine unique styling, high-quality fabrics, and seasonal comfort, including USPA Life apparel with sustainable elements.
About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through over 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. U.S. Polo Assn. was named one of the top global sports licensors in 2023, according to License Global. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.
USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPAGL also manages Global Polo TV, which provides sport and lifestyle content. A historic, multi-year, global arrangement between USPAGL and ESPN now showcases many of the top championship polo games in the U.S., enabling millions of sports fans and consumers to enjoy the sport across ESPN’s broadcast and streaming platforms. For more sport content, visit globalpolo.com.
With the 19th Asian Games about to begin, as one of the official esports events, “Dream Three Kingdoms 2” will feature Chinese players competing against Asian athletes on the same stage under the banner of Electric Soul Network. The Asian Dream Journey started on August 24 and set off to find traces of Chinese cultures in Asia. The project was set to inspire and support athletes and Chinese cultures as they advance towards the Asian Games stage.
The film guides and showcases cultures in its natural setting and gives us a thorough look of the Asian continent. The scenes will take place in locations like Jordan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and more. Chinese traditional culture can be found in every one of these places. In Sri Lanka, China’s Classic of Poetry blends local customs, traditional Chinese styled ceramics are beloved in Japan, Chinese Tai Chi martial art is fashion in Korea, and Thailand incorporates Guan Gong elements, linking friendship and the spiritual totem of Chinese at home and abroad.
In recent years, in addition to traditional culture, products such as animation, novels, films and series, variety entertainment, and games have also begun to break through restrictions and enter overseas markets, offering more methods for the communication of Chinese culture, and providing a “new language” for cultural integration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Selected as an official event of Asian Games, Electronic Soul Network’s “Dream Three Kingdoms 2” has become a milestone in the Asian esports world. The exposure of Chinese traditional culture to overseas in the form of esports has successfully set off a wave of national style in the esports industry. The cultural attributes of Chinese-style esports will also reach foreign players and become a new way to understand Chinese culture.
With the rapid development of digital technology, Electronic Soul Network’s “Dream Three Kingdoms 2” Asian Dream Journey takes traditional culture as the rudder and cutting-edge technology as the sail to reach across five countries to witness Chinese culture taking root in the world. “Dream Three Kingdoms 2” fuses Chinese culture and Romance of the Three Kingdoms with technology, giving off a new spin to traditional stories. It ingeniously integrates Chinese elements such as intangible cultural heritage, opera, and cultural relics into the game, so that the characters of the Three Kingdoms come alive in esports, telling traditional stories in a way that the younger generations can enjoy, share Chinese culture beyond borders.
The Hangzhou Asian Games is coming soon, Electronic Soul Network will take the Asian Games as an opportunity to showcase in Asia, and continue this “Asian Dream Journey” on the esports stage of “Dream Three Kingdoms 2”. We will show the international esports community a bit of Chinese culture. Let us follow along “Dream Three Kingdoms 2” and Electronic Soul Network’s “Asian Dream Journey” and travel to five countries in Asia, with Chinese cultural dreams in mind. Please look forward to the esports Asian Games!
AI Product Deployment Accelerates; Subscription Business Continues to Grow
JX Online III Delivers Impressive Results
Snowbreak: Containment Zone Expands into Global Markets
Kingsoft Corporation Limited (Kingsoft or the Company; HKG: 3888), a leading Chinese software and Internet service company, has announced its unaudited 2023 interim results and its second quarter results for the period ended 30 June 2023.
For the first half of 2023, the revenue of Kingsoft increased 13% year-on-year to RMB4,163.8 million. Revenue from office software and services business increased 21% year-on-year to RMB2,172.5 million. Revenue from online games and others increased 5% year-on-year to RMB1,991.3 million. Revenue from office software and services and online games and others represented 52% and 48%, respectively, of total revenue for the first half of 2023. Gross profit for the first half of 2023 increased 16% year-on-year to RMB3,457.2 million, while operating profit increased 24% year-on-year to RMB1,136.0 million.
For the second quarter of 2023, the Company’s revenue increased 20% year-on-year to RMB2,193.5 million. Revenue from office software and services business increased 21% year-on-year to RMB1,120.8 million. Revenue from online games and others business increased 18% year-on-year to RMB1,072.6 million. Revenue from office software and services and online games and others represented 51% and 49%, respectively, of total revenue for the second quarter of 2023. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2023 increased 25% year-on-year to RMB1,831.8 million, while operating profit increased 61% year-on-year to RMB675.7 million.
Mr. Jun LEI, Chairman of the Company, commented, “Our core businesses achieved robust growth in the second quarter of 2023. Kingsoft Office Group has seized emerging opportunities brought about by large language models (“LLMs”), actively engages in product development within this field to enhance users’ work efficiency. Meanwhile, the Group addresses the digital transformation needs of organizational users, aligning with the ‘multi-screen, cloud, content, artificial intelligence (“AI”), collaboration’ strategy, presenting solid growth in its business performance. Online games business focuses on developing premium games. Flagship JX Online III continued to enjoy popularity among players and achieved record-high quarterly gross billings. Anime game Snowbreak: Containment Zone expanded our user base and tapped into international markets, showcasing our determination to explore new game genres and global markets. The steady progress of our core businesses provides a solid foundation for the execution of our strategy.”
Mr. Tao ZOU, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, added, “The Group achieved strong revenue growth in the second quarter, reaching RMB2,193.5 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 20%. This growth was primarily driven by the exceptional performance of the JX Online III and sustainable growth in subscription businesses of both individuals and institutions from Kingsoft Office Group. Operating profit amounted to RMB675.7 million, exhibiting a year-on-year growth of 61%. These achievements reflected our continuous efforts to enhance core competitiveness, getting well prepared to seize new opportunities.”
BUSINESS REVIEW Office Software and Services For the first half of 2023, revenue from office software and services business increased 21% year-on-year to RMB2,172.5 million. Revenue in the second quarter increased 21% year-on-year to RMB1,120.8 million. Kingsoft Office Group embraces the opportunities brought about by AI and introduced WPS AI, an intelligent office assistant based on LLMs, initiated its Open Beta overseas. The Group unveiled the spring version of WPS Office, enhancing product capabilities, and providing seamless cloud integration experience.
In individual subscription business, Kingsoft Office Group took comprehensive steps towards improving user experience. While adhering to a long-term membership strategy, we merged functional and resource-based memberships, upgrading the membership benefits structure, and offered tailored benefits for specific needs.
Related to institutional subscription business, Kingsoft Office Group continued promoting cloud integration and collaborative office progress and delving into business scenarios for government and enterprises. The Group deepened product capabilities to serve industries such as finance, energy, publishing, healthcare, and high-end manufacturing. This involved incubating secure and efficient industry-specific solutions, aiming at enhancing organizational efficiency for institutions. We consistently expanded our ecosystem, and jointly built digital office application scenarios with partners.
Kingsoft Office Group has closely monitored the localization industry policy changes and customer demand, and taken the initiative to tap local government and industry localization markets in advance. In terms of overseas business, based on a solid foundation in the mobile sector, we continued to cultivate our user base on desktop platforms. Looking ahead, Kingsoft Office Group will uphold the service concept of “user first” and “relentless innovation”, ensuring that more users can easily enjoy the benefits of intelligent office solutions.
Online Games and Others In the first half of 2023, revenue from online games and others increased 5% year-on-year to RMB1,991.3 million, and revenue for the second quarter of 2023 increased by 18% year-on-year to RMB1,072.6 million. Our online gaming business demonstrated outstanding performance over the quarter, reflecting our ability to sustain premium games’ longevity. This success reflected in the increase in daily active users and gross billings of JX Online III. We have remained committed to enhancing the content and players experience of JX Online III, resulting in positive response. Self-developed game, Snowbreak: Containment Zone, combining shooting gameplay and anime aesthetics, provided users with fresh and innovative gaming experience. This game was simultaneously launched on both PC and mobile platforms worldwide. It achieved instant acclaim by topping the free games chart on the iOS App Store in China, as well as in major international markets like the US, Japan, and South Korea upon its launch.
Looking ahead, we will maintain our commitment to a user-oriented approach, paying close attention to feedback and suggestions from our players. Meanwhile, we have been enhancing and optimizing our games to further enrich the user experience. In the fourth quarter, we plan to launch the upgrade version of JX Online III PC game, further extending the IP’s vitality. Self-developed mobile game World of Sword Origin, which has received gaming license approval, is scheduled for release in Mainland China.
Mr. Jun LEI concluded: “We are confident in the future opportunities and challenges. The Group will manage core businesses steadily, drive innovation, create top-tier digital office services and premium gaming content for a global user base. We adhere to technology-driven business, committing to high-quality sustainable development, aiming to deliver better products and services to our users and create long-term value for our shareholders.”
About Kingsoft Corporation Limited Kingsoft is a leading software and Internet services company based in China listed on the stock exchange of Hong Kong. It has three main subsidiaries including Kingsoft Office, Seasun and Kingsoft Shiyou. Following the implementation of its “mobile internet transformation” strategy, Kingsoft has completed the comprehensive transformation of its overall business and management models, and formed a strategic platform with office software and interactive entertainment as the pillars and cloud services and AI as the new directions. The Company has more than 7,000 staff around the world and enjoys a large market share in China. For more information, please visit http://www.kingsoft.com.
Kingsoft Investor Relations: Francie Lu Tel: (86) 10 6292 7777 Email: ir@kingsoft.com For further queries, please contact Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia: Ovina Zhu Tel: (852) 2894 6315 Email: kingsoft@hkstrategies.com
Sports Brand Recognized for Reaching $2.3 Billion in Global Retail Sales
USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) today announced that U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), climbed License Global magazine’s prestigious list of 2023’s Top Global Licensors and for the first time ever is ranked in the top 25. The multi-billion-dollar, sport-inspired brand moved up three spots from 28th in 2022 to 25th overall and is considered one of the largest sports licensors and apparel licensors in the world. The iconic brand was also ranked as the second-largest sports brand, alongside the NFL and PGA Tour.
U.S. Polo Assn.’s strong ratings come off an outstanding 2022, having achieved $2.3 billion in global retail sales, expanding its footprint to include over 190 countries, and ending the year with more than 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores worldwide. The brand’s fast-tracked digital strategy resulted in websites for more than 40 countries in 20 different languages and the activation of more than 7 million social media followers of the brand worldwide. U.S. Polo Assn.’s authentic connection to the sport of polo is resonating with younger consumers and sports fans around the world.
“I want to personally thank all members of our global team and strategic partners around the world on behalf of U.S. Polo Assn. for their hard work and dedication to our sport-inspired brand,” says J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPAGL, the company that manages the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “To be in the top 25 on License Global’s prestigious list and be ranked among other iconic sport and fashion leaders is an honor and a nod to our tireless efforts in executing on our global strategy and aggressive growth plans.”
License Global’s Top Global Licensors list is a “who’s who” of licensing titans, derived from an annual study that “accounts for retail sales of licensed merchandise across all major sectors of business, from entertainment to sport, food and beverage, corporate brands, fashion, art and design, and much more.”
To be considered for inclusion, each brand or corporate entity must submit retail figures based on worldwide sales of licensed merchandise. In addition, License Global’s editors do their own independent vetting and verification, by consulting industry sources, annual reports, and financial documents. The world’s largest brand remains The Walt Disney Company at $61.7 billion in retail sales, with the third-largest brand, Warner Bros. Discovery, at $15.8 billion, and Mattel, the eighth-largest brand at $8 billion.
About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through over 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. U.S. Polo Assn. was named one of the top global sports licensors in 2023, according to License Global. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.
USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPAGL also manages Global Polo TV, which provides sport and lifestyle content. A historic, multi-year, global arrangement between USPAGL and ESPN, now showcases many of the top championship polo games in the U.S., enabling millions of sports fans and consumers to enjoy the sport across ESPN’s broadcast and streaming platforms. For more sport content, visit globalpolo.com.
Contact Information: Stacey Kovalsky Senior Director, Global Communications skovalsky@uspagl.com +001.561.790.8036
Shannon Stilson VP, Sports Marketing & Media sstilson@uspagl.com +001.561.227.6994
Online games are one of the biggest and most exciting craze where many want to become gamers to build a successful career. Holn Gamingis an esports club from Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia. Since founding the club, they have won many local, national and international competitions. One type of esports under the auspices of this club is Virtual Football “eFootball”. Having many talented players and achievements that have gone global has made Holn Gaming one of the best clubs in Lombok, Indonesia.
The series of wins they achieved made Holn’s game highly respected, and no player dared to go against them to compete in every local competition. All of their achievements come from hard work and perseverance – they practice almost every day.
Victories by Holn Gaming
International Tournament – 2023 eFootball Open World Championship Finalist in Japan (Holn player Asgard Azizi) – 2022 eFootball Open World Championship Champion in Online Final (Holn player Asgard Azizi)
National Tournament – West Sumbawa Regent Cup Champion 2021 (Holn player Asgard Azizi) – Champion of the 2021 PON XX Papua Athlete Qualification (Holn player Asgard Azizi) – 2020 East Indonesia Region President’s Cup Runner Up (Holn player Asgard Azizi) – Champion of JCC 1v1 2022 training camp (Holn Coach Mukaram) – Champion 1 Co-op 3v3 Efootball Pes Euro Cup 2022 (Holn Coach Mukaram) – Qualification for the 2021 PON Papua NTB PES Athlete Champion (Holn player Pranata) – Champion Garuda Eleven Efootball Mobile Season 2 2022 (Holn institutional player)
Bad News Coming from Holn Gaming This year they failed to defend their 2022 world title at the international eFootball Open World Championship.
Holn Gaming players placed third in the group stage, so they did not progress to the next round. In the group stage, Holn Gaming players were in group B with the other entrants, and Holn Gaming played in three games. Opposing team representatives were from Brazil, Tunisia and China.
The results of the first match were against representatives from China: Holn Gaming was defeated. They tied against representatives from Brazil; in the final match against representatives from Tunisia, Holn Gaming won the match, but Holn Gaming dropped points and landed third place in Group B. The match was very tense because the finalists included professional players. Skill and mentality are of the utmost importance, and the Brazilian representative went out to become world champion in the open.
Holn Gaming could send its players back next year at efootball world champion game. And while waiting for the 2024 eFootball World Championship, Holn Gaming and all the players will be practicing.
Holn Gaming is now focusing on all world-class competitions and continues to expand its wings in various online games that are loved by young people around the world. They also frequently share fun tidbits about the game on their social media platforms, Instagram and YouTube.
Tournament Benefited the Official Royal Charities of the Prince and Princess of Wales
U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), in collaboration with its licensing partner in the United Kingdom, Brand Machine Group (BMG), announced that for the fifth year, it served as the Official Apparel and Team Sponsor for the 2023 Outsourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup. Held at the extraordinary Windsor Great Park, Flemish Farms’ Guards Polo Club hosted the event on July 6 for the third consecutive year.
The U.S. Polo Assn. Polo Team was captained by His Royal Highness, Prince William of Wales, who competed in several games throughout the day against the BP Polo Team and Standing Rock Polo Team. Through athleticism and teamwork on the field, The Prince of Wales and his team played extremely well in the annual high-profile philanthropic event at Guards Polo Club.
“It is an honor for us to have the Prince of Wales as the captain once again for the U.S. Polo Assn. Team and for us to support the 11 beneficiaries through the sport of polo,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “As the Official Apparel and Team Sponsor for the Outsourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup, we continue to build the connection between the U.S. Polo Assn. brand, the sport of polo, and consumers in the United Kingdom.”
U.S. Polo Assn. designed custom performance jerseys for all participating polo players, umpires, and flaggers. Attendees of the event received handcrafted silk U.S. Polo Assn. scarves, pocket squares, and special event caps. The annual event raised funds of over 1 million pounds and global awareness for 11 important charities that are supported by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“Being part of the prestigious Outsourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup is an amazing opportunity to connect the United Kingdom and the sport of polo with U.S. Polo Assn.,” said Boo Jalil, CEO of Brand Machine Group, the U.K. partner for the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “We are incredibly proud to sponsor events with the Royal Family and raise awareness and funds for charitable causes around the globe through the sport of kings.”
Guards Polo Club is considered one of the largest and most important clubs in Europe, in terms of membership and the number of grounds, and is one of only four polo clubs in the United Kingdom that stage elite tournaments, such as the Royal Charity Polo Cup. With a spectacular backdrop of Windsor Castle, the Guards Polo Club at Flemish Farms has 120 stables and two additional polo fields within Great Park. Founded in 1955 as the Household Brigade Polo Club, with His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as President, the name was changed to the Guards Polo Club in 1969 and celebrates over six decades of premier polo.
About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through over 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. U.S. Polo Assn. was named as one of the top five sports licensors in 2022 alongside the NFL, MLB, and NBA, according to License Global. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.
USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPAGL also manages Global Polo TV, which provides polo, sport, and lifestyle content. A historic, multi-year, global arrangement between USPAGL and ESPN now showcases many of the top championship polo games in the U.S., enabling millions of sports fans and consumers to enjoy the sport across ESPN’s broadcast and streaming platforms. For more sport content, visit globalpolo.com.
About Brand Machine Group-United Kingdom The Brand Machine Group (BMG) is an international fashion brand owner and licensing specialist, housing a diverse and industry-leading portfolio of fashion, sports, and outdoor brands across adults and childrenswear clothing and accessories, including U.S. Polo Assn. With more than 40 years of experience, Brand Machine Group specializes in global licensing, and partners with recognized market leaders to manage a seamless and collaborative process of designing, manufacturing and delivering quality products whilst championing the DNA of its brands. Visit Brand Machine Group.
Photo Credit: Helen Cruden
Contact Information: Stacey Kovalsky Senior Director, Global Communications skovalsky@uspagl.com +001.561.790.8036
Shannon Stilson VP, Sports Marketing & Media sstilson@uspagl.com +001.561.227.6994
NextGen Retail Inc (formerly known as Leflair Inc) ventures out of Vietnam and enters the Indonesian market for the first time;creates online and offline retailer in SEA
PT Inetindo Infocom acquisition onboards approximately US$30 million of annual revenues to Society Pass Inc. as well as substantial customer base for Society Pass’s Loyalty App
NextGen Retail Inc (“NextGen Retail”), the online retail arm of Society Pass Incorporated (“SoPa”) (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 95% of PT Inetindo Info (“Inetindo”), a wholly subsidiary of Story-I Limited (“Story-I”) (ASX: SRY). Inetindo is a leading Indonesia-based Apple Premium Reseller and Authorised Education Partner as well as an electronic gaming retailer for several different gaming companies.
Click Here (on Securities and Exchange Commission website) to view Form 8-K filing.
Subject to Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”) and Story-I shareholder approvals, anticipated by September 2023, NextGen Retail, formerly known as Leflair Inc, will complete its first acquisition outside of Vietnam in the large and fast growing Indonesian market. Through cross-selling synergies, the Inetindo acquisition will accelerate the growth of SoPa’s other Indonesian businesses, including NusaTrip Inc and Thoughtful Media Inc.
NextGen Retail acquires Inetindo with its physical and intangible assets in an all-cash transaction valued at AUD 2.78 million equal to approximately US$1.85 million based on current exchange rates. Operating in Indonesia since 2010, Inetindo employs approximately 300 employees and operates 26 “Story-I” branded Apple stores in 9 cities across Indonesia. As an Apple Authorised Education Partner and Apple Authorised Service Provider, respectively, Inetindo sells Apple devices and solutions to leading international schools and tertiary institutions and repairs Apple products at its service centres.
With the easing of COVID restrictions in March 2022, Indonesia’s fast growing middle class and soaring digital adoption have fueled a rebound in online and offline retail traffic back to pre-pandemic levels. Inetindo’s financial performance has responded accordingly. Unaudited 1H FY23 (July to December 2022) revenues totaled AUD 20.9 million (US$13.9 million) compared to 1H FY22 revenues of AUD16.3 million, representing an increase of 28% year-on-year. Similarly, unaudited 1H FY23 gross profit of AUD 2.9 millon (US$1.9 million) grew 16% from 1H FY22 gross profit of AUD 2.5 million (US$1.6 million). As of 31 December 2022, Story-I’s assets totaled AUD 25.44 million (US$16.7 million).
Overall FY 2022 (July 2021 to June 2022) revenues and gross profit totaled AUD 42.4 million and AUD 6.0 million, representing increases of 1.2% and 0.7% over the prior corresponding period, respectively.
Michael Chan, Founder and Executive Director of Story-I, comments, “Society Pass’s acquisition of Inetindo and the Story-I brand creates a win-win-win transaction for all parties involved. First, our shareholders win as the acquisition consideration represents a 15% premium to Story-I’s market capitalisation over the past 45 trading days and allows Story-I to continue under a new name. Second, Inetindo’s partners and employees win as Society Pass is well capitalised to quickly expand Inetindo’s retailing and maintenance businesses throughout Indonesia. I wish Society Pass and NextGen Retail the best of luck as they take over a strong brand in Indonesia. Although we exit the Indonesia electronics retailing business, we are excited about both Story-I’s and Inetindo’s future prospects.”
The Indonesian economy is the largest in SEA and the 16th largest in the world with a 2023 nominal gross domestic product of US$1.39 trillon. OECD forecasts Indonesia’s real GDP growth to be 4.7% in 2023 and 5.1% in 2024. EcommerceDB estimates the Indonesian Electronics & Media eCommerce market to reach US$13.8 billion by 2023 and to increase to US$18.0 billion by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%.
Loic Gautier, CEO of NextGen Retail Inc, explains the acquisition’s rationale, “The Story-I acquisition is the natural evolution of our Leflair Vietnam business. As we venture out of Vietnam and into the rest of SEA, we will transform how customers access the world’s most desirable brands through our integrated omni-channel, online-to-offline retail platform. NextGen Retail’s mission is the following:
provide brands with a one-stop distribution solution to access consumers across SEA;
integrate all sales channels for maximum brand awareness and sales performance;
provide Asian consumers with access to the world’s best brands;
serve our customers anywhere and provide them with personalized shopping experience;
deliver best-in-class customer experience.”
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and completion of ASX regulatory review and Story-I’s shareholder approvals. The deal is anticipated to close by September 2023 and is expected to be accretive to SoPa’s non-GAAP earnings per share upon close.
About Society Pass Inc.
Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.
Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021.
SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 650,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.
Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operatesThoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network;NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; VLeisure, Vietnam’s leading provider of hotel management and payment solutions; Gorilla Global, a Singapore-based, mobile network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; andPushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines.
For more information on Society Pass, please visit:
This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC as well as anticipated sales growth in Indonesia and the growth of the Indonesian economy. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Tashi, an innovative company developing proprietary technology has emerged from stealth mode to introduce a truly serverless, leaderless P2P multiplayer game backend. Tashi (www.tashi.gg) is demonstrating how distributed ledger technology can be used to dramatically reduce server costs and completely eliminate certain categories of cheating in real-time multiplayer gaming. Tashi’s pioneering consensus engine (“TCE”) revolutionizes the game backend, shifting from a centralized to a distributed architecture where every player acts as a server, thereby distributing the computation and storage of the game state across the network. What truly sets Tashi apart is that it offers the security of a dedicated game server, the cost and infrastructure simplicity of a P2P server, and fairness that neither provides.
TCE boasts unmatched performance and security, surpassing existing consensus mechanisms, achieving over 1 million game event and state change messages per second with a finality latency as low as 100ms. This makes TCE an ideal choice for most multiplayer game genres, enabling every player to become a server while maintaining game state synchronization through mathematical consensus. This disruptive technology delivers on its promise of being faster, cheaper, and fairer.
To simplify game development and migration, Tashi’s engineers have created the Unity Tashi Network Transport (“Unity TNT”), a network transport plugin for the Unity game engine. This seamless plugin empowers developers to build and transition multiplayer games effortlessly to Tashi’s backend. Tashi’s Unity TNT product is open-review and available for testing on Tashi’s developer website, www.tashi.dev.
Tashi, headquartered in Singapore and the US, is strategically partnering with leading global game development studios. In July 2023, Tashi will launch the Tashi Investment Program (“TIP”) in partnership with BridgePort Capital and other partner funds, catering to both Web2 and Web3 game developers seeking investment. The company will showcase its revolutionary technology at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, in August 2023. In addition to presenting the Tashi Consensus Engine, the team will demonstrate the deployment of a highly popular global game title.
“Tashi is at the forefront of transforming Web2 multiplayer gaming with our cutting-edge technology,” said Sandeep Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Tashi. “With our impressive throughput and latency metrics, we are poised to introduce a range of new game types to blockchain protocols. Our technology will play a significant role in the emerging concept of ‘Gaming as an Asset.’ Stay tuned!”
To learn more about Tashi and its decentralized multiplayer game backend solution, please visit www.tashi.gg.
Contact Information Amar Bedi Marketing director amar@tashi.gg
