Program includes in-person tournaments, exclusive benefits and career opportunities in eSports.
Brazil has one of the most passionate and engaged gaming communities in the world, which is constantly growing: according to the most recent Games Brasil Survey, the number of Brazilians who claim to play some type of digital game grew by 3.8% compared to 2023, reaching 73.9% of the population. The university audience accounts for an important portion of this universe, the main age groups of Brazilian gamers range from 20 to 29 years old, according to the research.
In order to strengthen the brand’s connection with this audience, the Riot Gamesdeveloper and publisher of electronic games such as League of Legends e Valuingrenews its university program in partnership with AcadArena, a company that brings together more than 150 athletics from universities such as USP, UFRJ, UFSC (Santa Catarina), UFS (Sergipe), UFG (Goiás), among others across the country.
With this program, Riot especially embraces young higher education students who are part of these communities and who are spread across universities in the four corners of Brazil, showing that even with the college routine it is possible to have time to relax, make friends and spend time together. have fun playing!
Just like in its first edition, the Riot Games university program allows participants to create genuine connections with people who share the same passion for games.
“All projects organized by AcadArena aim to strengthen at least one of our pillars: Community, competition and career. The variety of events and support we are hosting with Riot Games embraces them all, a true dream for the student community. The mission is to build what we would like to have had during university”, says Tomás Macul, co-founder of AcadArena.
Participants gain benefits in-gameexclusive gifts from Riot products, LoL and Valorant game kits for watch parties, and you can even see up close what the routine is like at Riot Games headquarters in Brazil. For students who wish to work in the gaming market, the program offers development opportunities in eSports such as Pro Players e casterseven access to differentiated content and dissemination of job opportunities on other fronts in the gaming area.
“Student engagement last year was impressive and we were able to see how much university students, from different regions of our country, share the love for our games. Above all, with this program we want to show recognition of this feeling and offer them a ‘meeting point’ to express it, which fits into their routine at college. We believe that all the energy and vitality of student communities also finds space in games, and with our events and activations, these university gamers discover possibilities to remain connected with a universe they love so much”, comments Natália Arantes, senior manager of Communication and Marketing at Riot Games Brazil.
Copa Aliança will have in-person finals at Riot Games studios
One of the main events of Riot Games’ university program is the Copa Aliança, which includes eSports tournaments for the developer’s games. In 2023, the Copa Aliança had the participation of more than 1000 athletes, with 243 teams registered, covering more than 16 states in the country. This year, in addition to the League of Legends, Valorant and Teamfight Tactics modalities, Wild Rift, the mobile MOBA with the same IP as League of Legends, will make its debut in the competition.
There are around 1,000 students already registered for the 2024 edition of the tournament and the knockout stage will take place in June and July. Another novelty is that the Copa Aliança finals, which take place in the second semester, will be held in person at the Riot Games studios in São Paulo, thus guaranteeing the unique opportunity for students to experience what it is like to play on a professional LAN.
Riot’s university program will feature more than 50 days of eSports competition throughout this year, with weekly tournaments for all rankings. Furthermore, Riot is integrating yet another initiative into this circuit to expand and give greater visibility to the female competitive scene in its eSports, including inclusive tournaments into the program.
“Riot Games seeks to follow the lifestyle of its audience and understands that players, entering another important phase of life such as university, can enjoy, alongside our games, learning, personal and professional development, and a meeting point with people who share the same feeling for games. The University Program was created to be alongside these young people in their academic routine, adding experiences that they will take with them for life”, adds Rodrigo Friggi, senior publishing manager at Riot Games Brasil.
Valorant caster, Nyang, and Flávia “A Kakarota”, accompanied the students at the 2023 Alliance Cup Final (Photo: Disclosure/AcadArena)
The ‘Narre com o Pró’ initiative continues in 2024, promoting the meeting and learning of students and professionals in the field of casters and electronic sports commentators. Students who wish to pursue a career in this universe have the opportunity to narrate Copa Aliança games alongside names that already play in the official Riot Games LoL and Valorant championships.
Those interested in participating in the Riot Games university program should stay tuned to AcadArena social networks for more information.
Cover photo: Disclosure/AcadArena
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