Andbox-Belong deal to pep up gaming scene

Article posted by Coliseum, August 6^th, 2020

Image: Katy Eyre & Belong

The ownership group behind New York Excelsior and New York Subliners – Andbox – has struck a deal with gaming venue operator Belong. Andbox is a fledgling esports organization which has been set up to represent New York City’s social gaming scene. ‘Belong’ is owned by Vindex which is the pre-eminent esports infrastructure platform.

The New York Excelsior is an American professional Overwatch esports team based in New York City, US. The Excelsior competes in the Overwatch League (professional esports league) as a member of the league’s Atlantic North Division. The New York Subliners are an American professional Call of Duty League esports team based in New York City.

‘Esports Insider’ reported that the exclusive deal will see Belong join hands with Andbox to set up gaming centers in multiple locations throughout New York City. This will include a co-branded flagship location which will provide both organizations and its fans with “a best-in-class local esports ecosystem”.

The gaming centers will offer its attendees exclusive tournaments, leagues, team appearances, and exclusive consumer product retail programs. The collaboration will employ esports solution provider Esports Engine to design and operate leagues and tournaments throughout the Belong network.

In a press note sent out, Farzam Kamel, President and Co-Founder of Andbox, commented, “New York’s esports community has been underserved for a long time, and these new gaming centers we’ll be launching in partnership with Vindex will provide a high quality, best in class experience that esports fans in the New York Metro area deserve. One of Andbox’s goals has always been to provide the local community here with physical spaces specifically designed for and dedicated to gaming, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of making that a reality.”

Apart from the above deal, Belong has also entered into a partnership with Dallas (US)-based organization Envy Gaming in a similar arrangement. The deal will prop up “multiple” gaming venues across key North Texas cities with the objective of making social and competitive gaming more accessible.

‘Esports Insider’ further reported that esports infrastructure company Vindex will be totally in charge of this operation, which has also acquired Belong recently. Vindex will run Belong from its New York headquarters, with the rolling out of gaming centers across the country starting “immediately”. Over the next five years, Vindex aims to invest $300M (£231.2M) to open more than 500 Belong locations across the United States, and another 1,000 locations globally through licensed operating partners.

In a press note, Mike Sepso, CEO of Vindex, observed about the acquisition, “The acquisition of Belong and Martyn’s leadership will allow us to bring the professional esports experience to casual and amateur players in their hometowns across the country and around the world, connecting more players everywhere at a time when communities truly need to be closer together.”

‘Esports Insider’ stated, “Vindex has topped quite a few headlines with its acquisition of Belong and plans to build gaming centers around the world. The company has previously established relationships with Andbox and Envy which should help make this development a grand success.”

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