Gaming, including online gaming, as a hobby has seen incredible rapid growth over the last few years, with lockdown and COVID-19 just acting as accelerants. Shifting drastically from niche cliques into extensive mass markets, alongside gaming’s growth comes new opportunities for brands to align appropriately and turn the sector into a lucrative playing field for brands and organisations to explore.

Today, gaming is a billion dollar industry, setting the trend in motion for brands to spread awareness within popular games and platforms. Big brands have started to create interactive marketing tactics – and some have wielded great results in their efforts. However, the passion and power of gamers’ enthusiasm can either make or break brands who try and enter their world without having the right context. Let’s dive into what the gaming industry looks like as a whole. Before 2020, the gaming industry had already seen 9% year-on-year growth. Add lockdown to the equation and we see this as an industry that will grow by 30% by 2023. Looking at the African continent, South Africa is definitely one of the largest video game markets.

There are more than 11 million gamers in South Africa alone, and that number increases as access to certain platforms becomes easier. South Africa’s gaming majority is moving towards social gaming, the free-to-play revenue model with in-game purchases. In-game purchases enable players to only buy parts of the game they want, giving them the chance to sample and enjoy a game for free and to tailor their gameplay experience by purchasing extra content.

eSports gaming, also known as competitive gaming, is also booming in South Africa, with a revenue of R46 million in 2018. It is expected to soar to R138 million by 2023 due to far better internet connectivity, access and speeds. Worldwide, eSport gaming is hugely popular as competitive gamers join large, event-style competitions and go all out for large cash prizes.

The eSport space has become completely professionalised with sponsorships, and ambassadors and icons are becoming worldwide stars almost overnight based on their scoring and successes. It makes sense then that sources state the growth spurt of eSports has led to advertisers looking for ways to capitalise within this sector. Brands such as Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz moved eSports from their experimental marketing budgets to core sponsorships, resulting in an estimated 34% growth boost in eSports gaming during 2019 alone.

So, who are brands and marketers targeting in the gaming industry today?
As per a study by Global Web Index, there’s a new demographic that has taken significant interest in gaming. This unexpected audience happens to be the older generation in the 55–64 age group; they mostly use mobile apps to play solo games or play games with their children and grandchildren during lockdown. We see an impressive 32% rise in this market.

Female gamer numbers have also shot up by 14%, where previously, non-gaming females spent more time gaming with partners, subsequently resulting in getting hooked on the hobby. Other consumer insights show that the motivators for what drive people’s interests in gaming are excitement and challenge seeking, as well as gaining strategic skills.  There are new gaming enthusiasts that entered the gaming market since the pandemic for a ‘wonderful escape’. Gaming audiences are also viewing their gaming time as a good way to socialise online with new people when isolated in lockdown conditions and beyond.

What platforms are the best for brands to market on?
The top three gaming platforms are PC, console and mobile gaming. PC games provide a reliable gaming foundation; however, growth is slow compared to other platforms. Although there are a wide variety of games available to play on PC formats, gaming PCs are quite pricey and require a very stable internet connection for the best user experience. PC gaming is possibly not the best platform for brands to market on based on the slower growth of the platform. In other words, mobile and console gaming are impeding the growth of the PC gaming market.

Console gaming has seen an incredible increase in recognition, especially since the upsurge in technical sophistication, and now forms a relevant part of the home entertainment ecosystem. It’s the fastest growing gaming platform; however, advertising for console games is more difficult than for PC or mobile games as digital advertising cannot reach the console directly. Mobile gaming is seeing immense growth because of the ease of access to cellphones and because it currently has the largest market share. The mobile platform is the easiest way for marketers to get involved, with at least 69% of the global population choosing this platform for their gaming. With advertisers seeing spectacular gaming growth, they are sitting up and taking notice of this medium as a platform to create significant brand awareness. However, many games on mobile devices are very poor in quality and are not popular amongst eSports players or aficionados.

Examples of marketing excellence in the gaming sector Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go partnered with The North Face and Gucci, giving players the chance to deck their virtual selves out in designer clothes. The game also had instructions on how players can get the real merchandise to match their in-game personas.

Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton designed the case for the League of Legends World Championships trophy and introduced fashionable skins in gaming, which could be purchased by players for their in-game avatars.

KFC Philippines
KFC Philippines built its own island on Animal Crossing, complete with a restaurant, and invited players to search the island for Colonel Sanders. Those who found him were able to win free real-world food.

Fortnite
In April 2020, hip-hop megastar Travis Scott collaborated with Fortnite to offer players an in-game concert played at pre-advertised time slots. Users could find concert posters on walls within the game or social media. Once logged in to the game, users were treated to a stunning visual experience that featured Travis's giant hologram.

Times have changed from when gaming was stereotyped as a playground for geeks and high school dropouts. The audience has expanded so widely that advertisers have seen the potential for more than just niche audience responses. Gaming is serious business. This common pastime should no longer be taken lightly. Where passion exists, authentic opportunities will arise for the right brands.

Esports and gaming hub Mettlestate had a busy month in June, reaching 100 000 gamers on the Mettlestate website – a milestone that is testament to Africa’s fast-growing gaming community. June also saw the successful conclusion of the ROG Invitational III, with a prize pool of R 100 000, R50 000 of which went to the winning team. Mettlestate also announced  new partnership agreements with Uber Eats, Steam and Krispy Kreme, and the addition of two new gaming titles to the Mettlestate gaming platform, the Forge. On 1 July, Mettlestate launched their online store – a new home for gamers looking to add to their collections of merchandise and apparel. 

The Mettlestate online store 

“Having been a part of the South African gaming and esports community for so long, we realised just how challenging it can be for local fans to get their hands on merchandise from their favourite titles,” says Barry Louzada, Managing Director and Founder of Mettlestate. 

He adds, “Ordering from overseas stores can have its disadvantages – like lack of local support, items going missing in the mail frequently and long waiting times. We hope that our store will make it easier for South African gamers to get the things they want quicker, more safely and with a lot less fuss”. 

The Mettlestate store is now live, and local gamers can browse and shop for merchandise from top titles like Minecraft, Fortnite, DBZ and others. The store stocks apparel, collectables (like figurines), vapes and vape accessories, and other sought after items that South African gamers may have struggled to find locally before. 

Winter Leaderboard 

On 2 June, Mettlestate launched its Winter Leaderboard, which will run until 31 August 2021. With R 25 000 in prize money up for grabs for the person with the highest number of points at the end of the winter season. To compete, players need not register. They just need to complete a series of tasks to be added to the board. Every time a task is completed, the player will earn points. The more points the player earns, the higher they will rank on the leaderboard. 

Players can find out more at www.mettlestate.com/leaderboard. 

New partnerships and giveaways 

The growing trend of corporate partnerships with gaming entities has gained unprecedented momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, as corporates in South Africa become increasingly more aware of the loyal fan base and captive audience the gaming community represents. Most recently, Mettlestate gained the support of Uber Eats and Krispy Kreme. First time Uber Eats users on the Mettlestate website will qualify for 75% off their next purchase when they enter a unique code, and Krispy Kreme will be providing weekly voucher giveaways for 12 glazed doughnuts to each winning user. 

Mettlestate will also be giving away R250 Steam vouchers every week to users who join the Mettlestate Discord server. All winners will be notified via an official Mettlestate email or the website. These giveaways will continue for the foreseeable future.  

The Logitech G Challenger Series  

On 07 July, Mettlestate launched the Logitech G Challenger Series. Registrations are now open, closing on 18 July. Check-ins begin one hour before each event. Every Sunday for six weeks, there will be a mobile cup with a R1 000 prize pool. The Logitech G Challenger Series will feature COD Mobile, Garena Free Fire and Clash Royale. Each title will be played twice throughout the series and each cup will be played as a team death match.

To find out more, visit www.mettlestate.com/logitech-g-challenger-series.  

100 000 gamers and counting 

Mobile gaming in South Africa is growing exponentially, and the hype about competitive esports with it. Testament to this rapid growth is Mettlestate’s milestone user base of 100 000 – a number that was officially reached on 07 June 2021. Barry Louzada enthuses, “We are so proud to provide a home online to thousands of gamers in Africa, and humbled by the ever-growing support they continue to give us. We hope to see esports in Africa keep growing and to provide opportunities for African gamers to shine on the world stage”. 

New game titles  

On 15 June, Mettlestate added two new game titles to their portfolio of online games, in which local players can participate. League of Legends: Wild Rift and Clash Royale join the ranks of many other popular games featured in the Forge. More details are available on the Mettlestate website. 

Visit www.mettlestate.com or Mettlestate’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch pages to stay up-to-date with news on upcoming tournaments and to engage with South Africa’s gaming and esports community.

Johannesburg, 5 July 2021 – NAG publishers have been announced that Regardt van der Berg will be stepping in as editorial lead for New Age Gamer (NAG) Magazine. Regardt is an established content creator and gaming authority in his own right and brings a wealth of creativity and expertise to South Africa’s premier gaming and esports, sci-tech, entertainment and pop culture publication.

Len Nery, Publisher and Managing Director of Hashtag Full Circle, the parent company of NAG Magazine says, “Change at the editorial helm of a media company is never an easy transition to make, especially during these trying times we are all facing. But with Regardt in the NAG Editor’s chair, calm has been restored at the office. He brings with him years of experience in creating video and copy content focused on new technology, keenly consumed by NAG readers. So, I do believe he is a perfect fit and, as a result, look to the future with ardour.”

Regardt adds, “NAG has always been my second home, and I feel honoured to now be in the driving seat for the next chapter of South Africa’s longest-running gaming media house. These are big shoes to fill, but I’ve got the help and support of the incredible team behind the scenes that do all the real hard work. As I re-join NAG in an official capacity, I can’t help but feel like the proverbial band is coming back together.

“Len Nery, Cheryl Basset and I were part of the original NAG team back in the early 2000s when cover CDs and print magazines were still the best way to get the latest software, news and reviews. It feels good to be back home, and I have some cool things from my travels to share with you, but all in good time. For now, we’re just going to keep doing what we do best; and that’s to bring you enjoyable content to read, view and scroll through while you pretend to be busy at work.”

Since its inception as a print publication 23 years ago, NAG Magazine has evolved with the times and the gaming trends it follows. Its loyal reader base now exclusively reads NAG online to stay up to date with the latest news in video games and geek media. NAG features an eclectic mix of content for anyone who is passionate about gaming and pop culture.

Visitors to the website can enter competitions, join NAG's social media communities and interact via Twitch. NAG also syndicates content to Times Live under GamersLIVE banner and offers free press releases to their clients.

For more information, visit www.nag.co.za. You can also follow NAG on Facebook or on Twitter.

PlayLive.co.za - South Africa’s Largest Online Casino and leaders in the ultimate Live Gaming experience, announces the launch of MONOPOLY Live on its Online Casino open to the South African market. With in-studio streamed games like Blackjack, Roulette, Wheel of Fortune, Poker and Baccarat - PlayLive has launched a range of extended live gaming experiences over the course of 2019.

Today, PlayLive CEO Rob Keats announced the launch of MONOPOLY Live on South Africa’s Largest Online Casino, with a very optimistic outlook on the future Live Games will have in a transparent online casino experience. Rob adds that for players in South Africa seeking the ultimate live casino experience, PlayLive is the place to be.

With the announcement of its latest revolutionary game offering, MONOPOLY Live is the next generation in Live Gaming entertainment. The game itself delivers truly cutting-edge elements with its 3D bonus round that brings the prototypical Rich Uncle Pennybags character to life in a colourful, digitally rendered mini-game, with classic and high value type features that can really top up your bankroll instantly.

Unveiled at ICE 2019 by its gaming partner Evolution, MONOPOLY Live is a unique variant of the hugely popular Money Wheel and MONOPOLY board game. The aim of the game is quite simple: a game host spins the large, vertically mounted wheel and participating players predict the area of value at which the wheel is going to stop after the spin. While the game is live streamed and hosted by a live host, a virtual MR. MONOPOLY sits alongside ready to jump in on the action.

The MONOPOLY Live wheel further incorporates ‘CHANCE’ segments that rewards instant cash wins and multipliers, with three ‘2 ROLLS’ and one ‘4 ROLLS’ segment. These latter segments activate a captivating, augmented reality, 3D Bonus game built around the adventures of MR. MONOPOLY and the traditional Monopoly board game. Rob Keats indicated the demand for Live Gaming has increased on PlayLive.co.za by 18% in 2019, as opposed to only 11% the year before.

“There is a definite increase in demand for Live and immersive type gaming experiences, and so our aim is to grow with the trend and build out verticals that supports the demand through key industry partners.” says Playlive CEO, Rob Keats  Created in partnership with Hasbro and available at www.PlayLive.co.za, MONOPOLY Live takes the excitement and suspense of our world-leading money wheel game and adds unique MONOPOLY game elements. It’s another hot property on the PlayLive platform, combining live game action and augmented reality to redefine Live Casino entertainment and offer PlayLive customers the chance to win big on its massive multipliers in doing so!

3D BONUS ROUND
When the Bonus game is activated, qualifying players join MR. MONOPOLY as he enters his augmented reality 3D MONOPOLY world and steps around the 3D MONOPOLY board collecting prizes, multipliers and more. The walk is determined by a pair of dice. Players qualify for the Bonus game by placing bets on ‘2 ROLLS’ and ‘4 ROLLS’ in the money wheel game. If players have not placed either of these bets, they will still be able to watch and enjoy the Bonus game, but they cannot win any prizes in it. All the familiar MONOPOLY board elements are here from GO, Chance and Community Chest, houses and hotels as well as Jail and Super Tax.

DEPOSITS/WITHDRAWALS
As the largest Online Casino in South Africa, Playlive dedicates itself to the best in customer experience with quick and easy deposit and withdrawal methods. With both Instant EFT and Credit/Debit Card options available, PlayLive’s automated payouts/withdrawals system ensures players are paid out swiftly and in a timely manner, directly into player’s local South African bank accounts.

“We are proud in what we have achieved on a customer satisfaction level. Our easy eft, credit card and fast withdrawals makes us more credible than other online casinos and gives customers of PlayLive a world class experience from the moment they sign up” says Rob Keats, CEO of PlayLive

MONOPOLY Live can be found on the home page as you enter the site. Proudly brought to you by www.playlive.co.za - South Africa’s Favourite Live Casino 

Already one of Joburg’s biggest and most exciting interactive events showcasing the best in gaming, cosplay, geek culture, tech and esports, Vodacom rAge 2019 has added another first to its growing list of exciting attractions. For the first time, the World Robotic Olympia SA (WRO SA) will be setting up shop to host their top teams.

The World Robotic Olympiad (WRO) is a global event incorporating all things science, technology, education and robotics, which brings together young people from all over the world to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills through this challenging and educational robotics competition. The robotics bug has truly bitten SA in a big way, and since its inception in 2009, the WRO SA has grown from 30 teams to a staggering 800! This year, there has been 5 provincial events across the country, with the top 9 qualifying teams who win the finals across the different categories getting the awesome chance to compete at the WRO international in Hungary!

The exciting news for Vodacom rAge is that the finals of the provincial events will be taking place over the course of the weekend and the public is invited to come watch as teams literally battle it out for glory as their robotic creations come to life. The global theme of WRO for 2019 is “Smart Cities”, and we can guarantee that some of the smartest and most mind-blowing robotics projects are going to becoming alive as the city watches!

Friday afternoon will see the WRO SA National Explorer Competition teams coming out with some of the most interesting creations the WRO has seen to date. This category is not part of the international finals but is rather a category that allows juniors to be a part of this technological phenomenon that is taking the world by storm. These teams are made up of outreach robotics learners who, with the help of WRO SA and the Department of Science and Technology, have the awesome opportunity to be involved and potentially move up the ranks into the International finals and one day take their creativity and skill to compete overseas. This category showcases age-appropriate challenges on tabletops in which teams design, build and program a LEGO Mindstorms robot to solve a solution.

Over the course of Saturday, the WRO SA National Competition finals will take place where teams will have to have all their robotic guns blazing to ensure that they take top honours in the advanced robotics categories. This is where the stakes are really high, because winners over the categories have the chance to take their teams and all their tricks to the world final in Hungary. There is also a football round robin where 10 teams of two robots play autonomous football against each other using an infra-red ball and seekers plus a compass sensor – a super charged and adrenaline-fueled tournament to test the builders!

Sunday is the day for all corporate teams to show their robotics chops in the Corporate Inter-Company Challenge. Teams can win awesome prizes by programming a robot to solve various challenges on a competition table. Truly a fun and interactive experience for any corporate teams who might be interested in getting their coding on!

The entire event across the weekend will be open for spectators to support the teams and get a taste of what the world of robotics is all about. Depending on the challenge, spectators can watch from the bleachers and cheer their favourite teams to glory or will be able to engage with the teams, get up close and personal with finalists and get a good look at all the action as it’s happening.

“Being able to showcase the work that WRO SA is doing at an event like Vodacom rAge is extremely exciting for us,’ says Danie Heymans from WRO SA. “Our teams are made up of coders and programmers who are immersed in the world of robotics – a category with a massive overlap into the world of gaming. A lot of these contestants are going to become a pivotal part of the future of gaming in SA and for them to have exposure across this platform is phenomenal. We are also looking forward to getting the public involved in what we are doing to give them a taste of what the robotics landscape is all about.”

Vodacom rAge is going to be jam-packed with games to play, the latest gaming hardware to try out, esports, locally developed games, show specials, competitions and giveaways, so what are you waiting for? Come #escapetoplanetrage #comeandplay. Seriously, it’s going to blow your mind. 

Corporate teams who are interested in participating in the Corporate Challenge should contact Danie Heymans on 082 659 1404, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

For more details check out www.rageexpo.co.za and come along to Vodacom Planet rAge – You don’t want to miss this! 

#rAgeExpo2019 #comeandplay #17yearsofawesome #agalaxyofgeek 

EVENT DETAILS:

When is Vodacom rAge 2019?

Friday 27 September – 10h00-18h00

Saturday 28 September – 09h00-18h00

Sunday 29 September – 09h00-16h00

Where is Vodacom rAge 2019?

The TicketPro Dome, Johannesburg

How do I buy tickets to Vodacom rAge 2019?

Tickets to Vodacom rAge 2019 are on sale via www.tickethero.co.za or at TicketPro outlets

Day Pass – R160 per person (ticket valid for entry for one day only)

Weekend Pass – R320 per person (ticket valid for entry for all three days)

Children under 6 are free

The following tickets are only available to purchase at the door:

Family Pass – R540 per family (ticket valid for one day for 2 adults + 2 children aged between 6 & 18)

Student Pass – R110 per person (ticket valid for Friday only upon presentation of valid student card)

How do I stay connected?

To stay up to date with all the Vodacom rAge 2019 announcements and additional info, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or go to www.rageexpo.co.za.

Telecoms stalwart, Vodacom, has just announced a partnership with rAge – South Africa’s longest running gaming, technology and geek culture expo which will take place from 27-29 September 2019. Vodacom’s involvement and investment into the South African gaming and esports scene will be one of the biggest to date, by any brand.

Vodacom has long been a long-standing supporter of sports in South Africa and has already made a substantial investment in driving funding and growth in local sports. This move into the South African gaming and esports scene is a natural progression for the future of the brand. 

“We have been following the South African gaming and esports scene intently over the past few years. Gaming and esports is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world and South Africa is home to many gamers with an intense passion for it. From casual gamers who enjoy indulging in their passion from the comfort of their own home or on their mobile handset allowing them to participate in their passion anywhere, anytime, to those who compete in esports at a competitive level – and everyone in between – Vodacom’s vision is to become the Gamers Network of Choice. “This partnership with rAge is just the beginning as it allows us to participate in a large entertainment market,” says Jorge Mendes, Chief Officer Vodacom Consumer Business.  As part of our long term commitment to the gaming and esports scene, Vodacom World, our Flagship Digital Mall will also play host to a variety of gaming events and experiences providing gamers with an opportunity  to experience our network speeds and capability first hand.”

Globally, gaming is big business. Out of 7.6 billion people on the planet, there are approximately 2.2 billion gamers. This includes social gaming, mobile gaming, as well as free-to-play and pay-to-play multiplayer gaming. Of these players, globally, there are about 380 million esports viewer fans – 165 million of them regular viewers and 215 million occasional viewers. While these numbers are impressive, the South African gaming and esports industry is still in its infancy and will take some time to establish these kinds of figures locally. That said, it is starting to come into its own and it is during this time that backing and support from established and trusted brands such as Vodacom is vital.

rAge has always been about the gaming. Although it has grown exponentially over the last 17 years, the event has always stuck to the core values of bringing the ultimate gaming experience and the very best of immersive geek culture straight to the audience with bigger and better gaming, gadgets, esports, cosplay, show specials and competitions.

This annual event is 100% proudly South African, which is another reason that Vodacom is the perfect partner for it. It’s about South African gamers having access to global platforms; and now that it’s backed by a South African icon, those platforms are sure to just get bigger, better and faster.

rAge has grown from an embryonic event for a small gaming community into a thriving fun-filled three-day feast of all that is gaming - catering to thousands of fans, both young and old. “This partnership with Vodacom is a significant surge forward for the gaming industry in South Africa, and particularly for rAge. It is another leap forward for the future of gaming in South Africa and I look forward to where this will eventually take us all. And now the Future is Exciting with Vodacom rAge” said Michael James, Senior Project Manager rAge.

Globally, gaming is big business. Just shy of three weeks ago, a 16 year old captured the world’s attention by winning a $3 million Dollar prize pool at the Fortnite World Cup. The finals of this tournament, held at the end of July, followed ten weeks of competition involving more than 40m competitors and a total prize pot of over US$30m. The tournament packed out the 23,771-seat Arthur Ashe stadium at Flushing Meadows, New York’s largest tennis arena. Fortnite is but one gaming title among many that is rising to prominence in an increasingly lucrative market. The crazy thing to note is that this is not even the biggest esports event in the world. 18 teams recently competed in The International – the biggest DOTA tournament in the world – in Shanghai, China. The International’s prize pool, which is entirely crowd-funded, closed off just over $33 million. 

www.rageexpo.co.za

#rAgeExpo2019 #agalaxyofgeek #escapetoplanetrAge #comeandpla y#17yearsofawesome #NAGLAN

Leading cryptocurrency solutions provider, UVO Group LLC, set to revolutionize the gaming industry with the launch of “The World’s Premier Crypto Gaming Platform” where gamers earn Coin for playing games.

The gaming platform has resonated with the South African public seeing thousands flock to join this unique gaming opportunity. This high demand has driven the company into looking to establish regional operations in Cape Town in 2020.

UVO Group LLC has reiterated its goal of using the blockchain technology to change the world with the launch of GameProfits.io, a blockchain-based gaming platform that will disrupt the gaming industry. This is in addition to the launch of the UVO Coin, a product of 2 years of hard work, diligence, and investment of time and millions of dollars.

The online gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors driving blockchain and cryptocurrency. Game developers are creating their virtual currencies, inspired by the new generations of digital-savvy gamers. Millennials or so-called Generation X are two economically active demographics with more interest in cryptocurrency than any other of which many of them love to play online games. However, the gaming industry seems to be lagging in the adoption of the technology, a narrative that UVO Group LLC is looking to change.

The soon-to-be-launched gaming platform will allow crypto enthusiasts and online gamers to enjoy a one-of-a-kind gaming experience but could also create many slumdog millionaires. GameProfits.io is the first project from UVO, and the “first of its kind” gaming community will comprise of Play4Pay games, where players earn real crypto by merely playing games. The platform uses in-game assets that can be purchased and exchanged across all games on the network using cryptocurrency.

GameProfits.io is particularly unique as it pays individuals while they have fun playing their favorite games and is also accessible for free across the globe. The gaming platform has already been likened to Steven Spielberg’s smash hit film launched in 2018 called Ready Player One.

UVO Coin is also part of the UVO Group LLC family that forms part of the group’s Blockchain Accelerator Program. This allows for investment in some of the most promising blockchain start-ups and transforming them into tomorrow’s market-leading technology companies.  UVO Coin raises investment money through the sale of its own cryptocurrency, and the value of the coin increases as consumption increases and profits are generated from the ecosystem.

The Beta Launch of the Gaming Platform is scheduled for the 9th of September 2019 with the official launch stated for the first day in 2020.More information about Uvocoin.io, gameprofits.io and other fantastic projects from UVO Group LLC can be found on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

rAge has secured its spot as one of the most mind-blowing events to take place in Joburg each year. 2018 saw over 34 000 gamers and geeks swarm the TicketPro Dome, and this year visitors will once again cross the threshold to a three-day thrill-fest to get lost in the fantasy-inspired whirlwind of gaming, cosplay, geek culture, tech and gaming merch that is Planet rAge.  

rAge 2019 has been ramped up another level with a brand-new look and feel, with the introduction of an awesome new logo, that rings in a new era of incredible for the event.  

"The industry we're in is always updating things, pushing boundaries and doing something new. We've had the same look and feel for the rAge logo since we started out in 2003, so it was long overdue for a refresh!" Michael James, Senior Project Manager. 

Tickets for the expo are on sale now and tickets to the NAG LAN, Southern Africa’s largest BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer/Console) LAN, will be on sale from 27 July via the rAge website, so keep your eyes peeled because they move like lightning.

The annual rAge expo, now in its 17th year, offers visitors a full weekend of gaming, technology, gadgets and geek lifestyle entertainment. Fantasy fanatics can literally immerse themselves in the culture, explore, touch and try out the latest gaming goods available, and escape reality completely. 

New games to play, the latest gaming hardware to try out, esports play and spectating, locally developed games, show specials, competitions and giveaways – the weekend is going to be so jam-packed with things to do, play and see. Seriously, it’s going to blow your mind. 

Check out www.rageexpo.co.za and come along to Planet rAge – You don’t want to miss this!

 #rAgeExpo2019 #comeandplay #17yearsofawesome #agalaxyofgeek 

EVENT DETAILS:

When is rAge?

Friday 27 September – 10h00-18h00Saturday 28 September – 09h00-18h00Sunday 29 September – 09h00-16h00 

Where is rAge?

The TicketPro Dome, Johannesburg 

How do I buy tickets to rAge 2019?

Online here or at Ticketpro outlets

Day Pass – R160 per person (ticket valid for entry for one day only)

Weekend Pass – R320 per person (ticket valid for entry for all three days)

Children under 6 are free

The following tickets are only available to purchase at the door:

Family Pass – R540 per family (ticket valid for one day for 2 adults + 2 children aged between 6 & 18)

Student Pass – R110 per person (ticket valid for Friday only upon presentation of valid student card) 

How do I stay connected?

To stay up to date with all the rAge announcements and additional info, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or go to www.rageexpo.co.za. 

The annual Rush Esports event is quite literally upon us, and esports enthusiasts are gearing up, locking down and putting on their game faces for one of South Africa’s most thrilling events on the esports calendar.

The multi-tournament, multi-platform celebration of all things competitive gaming will be exploding into life on 28, 29 and 30 June 2019, at the Sun Arena, Time Square, Pretoria. It goes without saying that the variety of tournaments being hosted is enough to get you firing on all cylinders - FIFA 19, CS:GO, DOTA 2, StarCraft, Hearthstone, Fortnite and Tekken 7.

But it’s the list of prizes up for grabs that is truly going to blow your mind. The prize pool for Rush, sponsored by Vodacom 4U and Samsung, includes cash prizes, product prizes and overseas trips, totaling over R450,000. The stakes have never been this high, the tournaments never this grand and the prizes never before this sensational! “At Vodacom 4U, gaming and esports is one of the key strategic pillars that support our brand strategy,” Says Ulanova Visser, Marketing Director at Vodacom 4U. “Last year we were very excited for the opportunity to partner with Rush Esports South Africa and offer massive prizes for three gaming titles.

The success of this partnership has led to us upping the ante for 2019 by doubling the number of gaming titles to six - as well as substantially increasing the overall prize purse that will be up for grabs to the competitors. “Because Vodacom’s Youth Franchise Channel is fluent in “gaming speak”, it’s only logical that Vodacom Fibre will be providing all the connectivity for the event to ensure that our gamers can enjoy serious uninterrupted gaming while competing during the weekend.

Through Vodacom Fibre, we are able to offer our customers finance options to purchase gaming consoles and other products by simply adding on to their monthly contract commitment. We are also thrilled to be supporting a Fortnite Cosplay category competition at the event.” Aside from competing, Rush offers the perfect opportunity for all ages and skill levels to get a taste of esports – even if they’re just watching. Big screens and live commentary will be giving visitors throw by throw run downs of the tournaments, guaranteeing maximum audience thrills.

This year entrance tickets to Rush also include entrance into GeekFest - a complete weekend invasion of all things geek including Sumo Wrestling, a Dance Dance Revolution setup, Robowar competitions, a Gladiator Ring, cosplay and a LARP tournament. To say this a jam-packed entertainment lineup is an understatement. Rush has pulled out every single stop, and then some, to ensure maximum gamer and geek immersion across the whole weekend. Tickets to Rush are on sale now at Ticketpro and include full access to GeekFest. GeekFest tickets also include full access to Rush. #rushesports2019 #connected

EVENT DETAILS: When is Rush? 28, 29, 30 June 2019 Times: Friday 10am – 8pm | Saturday 10am – 8pm | Sunday 10am – 5pm Where is Rush? Sun Arena, Time Square, Pretoria How do I buy tickets to Rush? Tickets to Rush are on sale via www.ticketpros.co.za

Day Pass: R120 (valid for one day only on any of the three days)
Weekend Pass: R300 (valid for all three days)
Player Pass: R250 (valid for all three days for players competing in tournaments)

How do I stay connected? To stay up to date with all the Rush announcements and additional info, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or go to www.rushesports.co.za

A school holiday without the Summer sun can be challenging, but don’t despair, there is fun-filled holiday action to be had at Rush for esports fans, junior geeks and aspiring gamers.

This June will see the annual Rush esports event, along with GeekFest, running at the Sun Arena in Time Square Pretoria. Visitors can expect a thrilling variety of competitive games to participate in and watch. SA’s top gamers and teams will be competing for prizes on esports stages, complete with big screens and live commentary. More good news is that gaming enthusiasts will also be able to compete for prizes by signing up to the FIFA 19, Tekken 7 and Fortnite tournaments now.

Last year’s big Fortnite winner was an ecstatic Prep School pupil - proving that age is definitely just a number at Rush! This year’s Fortnite and FIFA 19 tournaments are sponsored by Vodacom 4U and Samsung. FIFA 19 players will be competing on PS4 consoles, and Fortnite players will be using Samsung Galaxy S10+ phones to play on. Entry into both these tournaments can be done via Mettlestate now, and there are some awesome prizes to be won.

For teens and older, UGCZA is hosting a Fighting Game Workshop from 11h00 to 18h00 on Friday the 28th, where you can come and learn some new skills from the pros, or just brush up on your moves.

Great news from PlayStation is that they will be showcasing a host of cools games including: GT Sport; Team Sonic Racing; MotoGP19 – as well Virtual Reality games such as Everybody’s Golf VR, Far Point and Beat Saber. In addition to all the esports action, there will be geek-related retail stalls, food vendors, a Cosplay competition, LARPing (Live Action Role Playing), Robowars, a Geek Quiz and Hawkeye Arrow Tag will have a fun archery activity arena suitable for ages 10 and up.

Players are split into teams and will battle it out against each other using air-filled bunkers for cover as they try and take out their opponents with recurve bows and foam-tipped arrows. Vodacom 4U are also sponsoring a Fortnite-inspired cosplay category. This is the chance to dress to impress as you channel one of your favourite Fortnite characters.

The winner of the Vodacom 4U Fortnite cosplay will walk away with R10,000, so ramp up your creative juices and enter now! The stage is set to give geeks and gamers a three-day weekend of unprecedented entertainment, geek culture and competitive gaming. There is something for everyone at Rush 2019, so bring along family and friends and get lost in the fascinating, fast paced and fun-filled world of esports and all things geek, first-hand!

Tickets to Rush are on sale now at Ticketpro and include full access to GeekFest. GeekFest tickets also include full access to Rush. #rushesports2019 EVENT DETAILS: When is Rush 2019? 28, 29, 30 June 2019 Times: Friday 10am – 8pm | Saturday 10am – 8pm | Sunday 10am – 5pm Where is Rush 2019? Sun Arena, Time Square, Pretoria How do I buy tickets to Rush 2019? Tickets to Rush are on sale via Ticketpro. Day Pass: R120 (valid for one day only on any of the three days) Weekend Pass: R300 (valid for all three days) Player Pass: R250 (valid for all three days for players competing in tournaments) How do I stay connected? To stay up to date with all the Rush announcements and additional info, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or go to www.rushesports.co.za.