Tencent Games has announced a collaboration with SLIVER.tv, a blockchain esports entertainment platform to create a 24/7 live esports channel that will feature streamers from FaZe Clan, Method, and NRG, in addition to interactive functionality such as prediction games, trivia, and prizes for viewers. Making the announcement on November 19, the game development behemoth, which is behind the popular Ring of Elysium battle royale game, revealed that the channel would be powered by Theta rewards, and users would be able to purchase in-game items and upgrades using Theta tokens.
Ring of Elysium and Theta
In a statement, Tencent Games expressed delight at the opportunity to bring Theta rewards to Ring of Elysium players, stating that users who stream the popular game on SLIVER.tv will have the chance to earn Theta tokens just for logging in and watching the live content. The statement also revealed that Theta tokens could be used within the SLIVER.tv platform to purchase exclusive in-game items and skins, or to obtain discounts on real-world products from associated sponsors.
Theta tokens are produced on the Theta blockchain, which powers a video delivery ecosystem that rewards users with Theta tokens as an incentive for restreaming video content to nearby users using excess bandwidth on any device. The framework thus leverages on aggregated user bandwidth to provide next-gen video services and reduce costs while increasing engagement and incremental revenues.
Speaking about the partnership, Mitch Liu, co-founder and CEO of SLIVER.tv and Theta Labs said:
“Our partnership with Tencent Games will help us continue to drive interactive esports by featuring exciting content from Ring of Elysium. Combined with our unique Theta rewards and blockchain technology, users become part of the esports experience, driving greater engagement and retention for our partners and games.”
The move is a significant one because it represents the first time a game development behemoth will actively engage with a cryptocurrency framework. Tencent Games boasts the world’s largest operating revenue for a gaming company, developing gaming content for hundreds of millions of users across popular platforms with stakes in Epic Games, Supercell, and Riot. In addition to Ring of Elysium, the company also publishes the wildly popular League of Legends title in the Chinese market.
On Theta’s part, the move is another key step on the road to actualising its vision, coming two months after it announced strategic partnerships with MBN and CJ Hello, shortly before it was listed on South Korean exchange Bithumb.
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