Global gaming-focused media business Guild Esports PLC (LSE:GILD, OTCQB:GULDF) has launched a professional team to compete in Street Fighter 6, marking the company's first entry into the competitive Street Fighter scene.
Guild’s new team, which will compete under the Guild banner, comprises Reneil 'JoKeR JoKeZ' Landell from the UK, Rabiae 'Takamura' Houmaid from Belgium and Alfonso 'VegaPatch' Martínez Pozo from Spain.
Guild believes the team will create new revenue-generating and audience-growth opportunities for the company.
Capcom’s classic Street Fighter franchise has a thriving esports scene with a growing audience.
In June 2023, the CR Cup Street Fighter tournament had more than 313,000 concurrent viewers, making it the most popular video game on streaming site Twitch at the time.
Guild collaborates with Sky for Street Fighter tournament launch
Guild will collaborate with Sky Broadband, as part of its wider partnership with Sky UK, to launch the 'Sweat Room', a livestreamed Street Fighter tournament that will be promoted via a dedicated social media campaign.
In the 'Sweat Room' tournament, participants will compete in one-on-one Street Fighter matches in a heated room, challenging gamers to perform at their best while under pressure.
Sky Broadband will host the event and the associated awareness campaign, which is supplemental to their existing contractual commitments.
Guild will use the Sweat Room campaign to add an additional player to the company's all-new Street Fighter professional team roster, as part of Guild and Sky Broadband's shared commitment to supporting and developing the gaming community.
The participants in the tournament have been selected by Guild's expert team of coaches and scouts as the most promising non-professional Street Fighter players in the UK.
Guild's logo and branding will feature prominently in the tournament and the associated online campaign, which is being promoted by influencers including Iain Chambers, Veracity, Damascus, Tyrant and F-Word, who have a combined following of approximately 180,000.
Skee welcomes Street Fighter team to the Guild family
Jasmine Skee, chief executive of Guild Esports, commented: "Street Fighter is an immensely competitive game with a vibrant and devoted community. We have been closely monitoring its esports scene for a long time, and we believe now is the perfect moment to enter our own professional team.
“Street Fighter offers a completely new audience and future revenue-generation opportunities for Guild, where we will maintain our high standards of professional excellence and intend to compete at the highest level. I'm delighted to welcome Reneil, Rabiae and Alfonso to the Guild family, and look forward to welcoming the final member of the team.”
Amber Pine, managing director of broadband and connectivity at Sky Broadband said: "As part of our continued partnership with Guild Esports, we're excited to see some of the best available Street Fighter gamers battle it out in the Sweat Room, with the winner being officially awarded a place on the professional team.
“Of course, the best gamers need broadband that can match their performance, so we're proud to be powering the tournament with Sky Full Fibre Broadband, providing the speed and reliability gamers need to excel in any competition."