(Image via @follow8bit on Instagram)
If you've been watching the markets lately, you may be glued to the recent run-up that gaming merchandise retailer
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) has been seeing.
Reportedly driven by Reddit traders on the
r/wallstreetbets forum, its shares surged 135% in one day this week, roaring as high as $354.83 before closing at $344.99 (USD). This was an increase of more than 1,600% in just two weeks, compares to its January 12th closing price of just $19.95.
So, for those of you looking for another play in the gaming sphere that could erupt with the right news bump, you can start your due diligence with -
Allied Esports Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: AESE).
Allied operates in the gaming world with the likes of GameStop, but it is quite different in that it is an esports entertainment company that hosts events at its HyperX arena in Las Vegas’ Luxor Hotel, which are streamed all over the world. Allied also has a number of affiliate (or ally) venues in the US and owns the
World Poker Tour brand.
North of the 49
th parallel,
GameSquare Esports Inc. (CSE: GSQ, Forum) has appointed former
FaZe Clan executive Justin Kenna as its new
Chief Executive Officer and a member of its board of directors. GameSquare is a Canadian Securities Exchange-listed international esports company and the parent of esports agency
Code Red Esports.
He brings to the table considerable experience in esports, digital media, and digital agencies in the United States and Australia and has deep expertise in finance, strategy, and operations. He also joins FaZe Clan’s former SVP of media and partnerships, esports veteran Jan Neumeister, who also joined GameSquare earlier this month.
Want to know what some of the top games people are playing in esports?
Stream Hatchet, the data analytics and analysis team under
Engine Media (TSX-V: GAME) has released its
2020 industry trend report, highlighting the esports market's continued growth, which rode an initial wave in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report found that mobile gaming continues to grow on western streaming sites as both
PUBG Mobile and
Garena Free Fire landed in the top five most watched games.
From the report:
- Stream Hatchet has identified the top esports streamers for 2020 and homed in specifically on the top five female streamers of the year, tracking their increasing popularity.
- As brands and advertisers recognize the opportunity to reach the millennial male audience via streaming, Stream Hatchet tallied 355 million hours of sponsored live streams in 2020. The report shares the top sponsored streams of the year and the brands that supported them.
Stream Hatchet’s CEO Eduard Montserrat said that this data confirms that video games and esports have taken a huge step in popular culture.
“When much of the live entertainment world went dark, streaming platforms were able to captivate audiences through remote esports tournaments and exciting live streams.”
Got an esports news tip or story idea to share? Email me at
jon.brown@stockhouse.com.
FULL DISCLOSURE: GameSquare Esports Inc. is a client of Stockhouse Publishing.