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In 2023, the esports industry encountered a series of unprecedented challenges. A surge in inflation from 2021 to 2023, compounded by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, led to a period of economic turbulence that reverberated across companies operating within the sector. As a prominent figure in Portugal's esports landscape and a long-standing member of the European ecosystem, Inygon found itself grappling with these complexities. While the road was tough, we firmly believe that challenges are opportunities in disguise. With unwavering determination, Inygon is poised to not only overcome these hurdles but also shape a brighter future for itself and the entire esports community.

The Impact on Inygon

In 2023, Inygon, like many other esports entities, faced its fair share of obstacles. The tumultuous market environment, coupled with disruptions to our usual yearly operations, while handling major national competitions across two distinct games, amongst other smaller ones, underscored the need for stability and the importance of our role in the development of our local industry, consequently contributing to our role in the EMEA region. As TO’s we have an added responsibility to our community, teams and partners and their development in the industry.

Challenges Laid Bare

The onset of the year marked an unfortunate and unprecedented challenge in our nearly decade-long journey. This ordeal shed light on certain vulnerabilities within our current business model. For the first time, we encountered a client who failed to meet their contractual commitments, highlighting the need for more robust contingency plans. Additionally, delays in finalizing the 2023 deals underscored the extent to which our products rely on partnerships for monetization, prompting us to reevaluate our strategies. Such situations not only affect our internal operations, but also snowball into complications in our relationships with our stakeholders, which we shouldn’t allow to happen and need to address urgently. As such, these experiences have provided valuable insights, spurring us to explore innovative solutions to rectify and proactively address these situations moving forward.

The Reasons for Restructuring

Our dedication to continue building Portugal's esports sector, while addressing our international challenges, remains unshaken. In order to fortify our core structure and secure a sustainable future, Inygon has made the strategic decision to undergo a comprehensive company-wide restructuring. Several key factors drove this pivotal choice:

Product Focus: Our national competitions are two of the biggest drivers of our national industry and offer players the opportunities to explore and progress their professional careers. We want to continue investing and developing them and make them references within the EU ecosystem.

Financial Viability: The competitive landscape within esports demands a resilient financial foundation, especially with our role as one of the pillars of the local industry. Our restructuring endeavors aim to optimize resources, processes and profitability.

Enhancing Efficiency: Operational excellence is paramount for serving our community and partners effectively. Streamlining processes will afford us greater agility and responsiveness.

Embracing a New Vision: Change is the catalyst for progress. This transformation is poised to align Inygon with the evolving needs of the industry, unlocking new and exciting prospects.

The Restructuring at Inygon

As part of this restructuring, a series of pivotal initiatives will be set into motion:

Innovative Product Development: Innovation takes center stage. Our efforts will pivot towards developing fresh, cutting-edge products and experiences for the esports community, unveiling new horizons and projects.

Strengthening Partnerships: The cornerstone of our success lies in robust partnerships. Transparent communication and collaboration are the bedrock of these relationships, driving greater value to our stakeholders.

Improved Team Structure: Our aim is to cultivate a more efficient, capable workforce with a heightened focus on developing core products, with flexibility for our foreign operations that will not diminish our ability to operate beyond these boundaries or on international terrain. 

Supporting Our Former Staff: The contributions of our recently departed team members are deeply appreciated. We stand committed to aiding them through this transition, actively assisting in their pursuit of new employment opportunities.

Focused Leadership: Inygon is poised to embrace fresh leadership, embarking on a new vision accompanied by a renewed strategic approach. The current leadership will transition to a new setup, without losing their invaluable guidance and expertise.

Commitment to the Community

We understand that our journey would not be possible without the incredible support and enthusiasm of our dedicated community. Your passion for esports has been the driving force behind every success we've achieved, and we are deeply grateful. Moving forward, we're committed to bringing ourselves even closer to you. We're listening to your feedback, your suggestions, and your concerns. Transparency is paramount to us, and while there may have been moments when communication fell short, it wasn't due to a lack of desire for a connection. Our focus on developing exceptional products and delivering high-quality broadcasts led us to allocate resources in those directions. But now, as we step into this new chapter, we're excited to reallocate those resources to enhance our communication with you. We want to bring you inside our world, sharing our progress, challenges, and victories and run more initiatives and events that are all about celebrating our vibrant community and our favorite games. 

Embracing the Future with Confidence

Within Portugal's esports arena and throughout the EMEA region, Inygon holds a vital role. Our commitment to nurturing the community, championing fair play, and cultivating a positive gaming atmosphere is unwavering. Although the restructuring journey may present challenges, we are resolute in the belief that it positions us for an even more formidable future. Together, alongside our dedicated community, we are committed to shaping a flourishing, positive esports industry in Portugal—one that commands pride and respect.

At Inygon, innovation is our constant companion as we explore fresh avenues to captivate our audience and foster immersive interactions with our products. This pursuit is especially fervent when it comes to our esteemed competitions, such as the Portuguese League of Legends (LPLOL) and the Valorant Challengers League: Tempest (VCL PT).

Our journey thus far has been marked by progressive strides, and today, we're thrilled to share an exciting chapter in our story – the dawn of LPLOL Clash, a cutting-edge engagement concept designed to bring viewers closer to the heart of the League.

Evolution from Teetobola to LPLOL Clash

Our journey commenced with the inception of Teetobola, initially conceived in 2015 and subsequently transformed into a web application by 2017. This innovative platform empowered viewers to accumulate points as they engaged with broadcasts and honed their instincts through prediction systems. As time progressed, legal considerations prompted our evolution, propelling us towards the creation of Inygon Play. In this transition, we not only preserved the core essence of the preceding system but also amplified it with an array of enhanced prediction possibilities—ranging from predicting First Blood to anticipating First Tower, First Dragon, and more.

As the landscape evolved, Twitch introduced channel points, and the convergence of interests beckoned us to reimagine viewer engagement. This metamorphosis marked the birth of LPLOL Clash, where innovation converges with community connection.

LPLOL Clash: Where Connection and Strategy Converge

Our commitment to forging emotional bonds between players and fans led to the creation of LPLOL Clash. Harnessing the power of collectible cards adorned with player illustrations, we sought to build a bridge between fans and their favorite players. The concept thrives on simplicity yet harbors intriguing depths:

· Viewers are rewarded with cards while they watch live streams

· Card rarity lends an element of challenge and excitement to collections

· Unique card abilities introduce strategic nuances to progression

· Card drops intertwine with team performance, adding an extra layer of excitement

· Players can claim prizes based on the progress of their collection

Luck plays its part, yet meticulous planning and strategic card deployment emerge as vital cornerstones for a successful collection.

Charting New Territory with the Roster System

Our innovation journey didn't stop at collectible cards. We introduced the Roster system, akin to a fantasy league with a distinct Inygon twist. This allows players to craft Rosters using their amassed cards and score based on the performance of their chosen players. This dynamic synergy of strategy and fandom amplifies the engagement spectrum.

Chart Your Course with LPLOL Clash

LPLOL Clash embarks on its Open Beta phase today, inviting you to delve into a realm where fandom and strategy intermingle seamlessly. Explore the world of LPLOL Clash at clash.lplol.pt, and embark on a journey of connection, strategy, and rewards. Your invaluable feedback is our guiding star as we continue refining the application to enhance your user experience. Join us as we chart this exciting course ahead and share your thoughts along the way!

In the grand tapestry of community, innovation, and engagement, Inygon invites you to be an active participant in shaping the future. Together, we'll continue to enrich the world of esports and viewer interaction.

Last year, we took a leap of faith and launched the much-awaited Teamfight Tactics Open - a thrilling national competition that allowed the best TFT players to showcase their skills, earn recognition, and secure coveted spots in live events with impressive prize pools.

When the idea first struck us, we knew our resources were primarily focused on the ever-popular League of Legends and VALORANT projects. However, being avid TFT fans ourselves and acknowledging the incredible love the community has for this game, we couldn't just leave TFT in the shadows. We wanted to create a platform that would bring the TFT community together, giving them the opportunities they deserved to shine.

But guess what? We're raising the bar even higher this year! Thanks to the fantastic support from Worten, one of our most significant allies in fostering esports in Portugal, we're thrilled to announce that we'll be taking our TFT competition to new heights. We're gearing up to offer an improved ranking system and even more exciting rewards for all the passionate TFT players out there.

Together with Worten, we're doubling down on our commitment to provide the TFT community with more electrifying competitions, thrilling tournaments, and endless opportunities to showcase their strategic prowess.

So, get your Pengu's and Chonccs ready, and let the RNG voodoo begin, because another exhilarating season of Teamfight Tactics is just around the corner! Stay tuned for more updates and details on how to join in on the action.

Join us, follow the WGR TFT Open on Twitter and let's make TFT history together! See you on the battlefield!

The new year heralds the arrival of another season of the highly anticipated Worten Game Ring Portuguese League of League of Legends (WGR LPLOL). While the competition format remains unchanged from the previous season, the prize pool has received a boost with an increase in team stipends. In addition, fans can expect an enhanced viewing experience as the broadcast undergoes a complete overhaul, featuring new designs, overlays and content creation.

Last season proved to be the most successful yet, with a marked improvement in both ratings and performance in the European Masters (now EMEA Masters). The Portuguese teams moved up in the European Regional Leagues (ERL) rankings, setting the stage for an even more exciting season ahead.

This year promises to be another thrilling year, with exciting roster changes and the addition of two new teams from the second division: Varona Esports and Byteway Esports. These teams join the lineup alongside For The Win Esports, EGN Esports, White Dragons, GTZ Esports, Boavista FC, and Odivelas.

GTZ Esports, with Time and Heroic - the mid-jungle duo and PROAM champions - onboard, are among the contenders for the title. However, they face stiff competition, with White Dragons signing Noma and Calmsky, double Split winners from last season, and FTW welcoming back AFM and Feedarias.

With such an impressive lineup of teams and players, this season promises to be highly competitive and entertaining. Fans can watch all the action on the league's Twitch and YouTube channels, so make sure to tune in and catch the exciting gameplay.

Portugal's esports industry just took another huge leap forward with the announcement of the VALORANT Challengers League (VCL). This major upgrade of the local competition represents an important historical moment for the country's gaming scene, as Portuguese teams will now have access to European competitions and promotions.

The VALORANT Campeonato de Elite (VALORANT Elite Championship) has officially rebranded to VALORANT Challengers Portugal: Tempest (VCL PT), featuring a new symbol, the wave,  an association with the strong winds (rajada) and motto: "We are the indomitable, conquered by no one". The league's calendar now aligns with the European VALORANT Challengers League, running from January to June, with the rest of the year designated as the open off-season. To reflect the higher team demands, the biggest change is now the mandatory company registration in Portugal.

The VCL PT also boasts several improvements in broadcasting quality, including new overlays and an enhanced in-game HUD, courtesy of Inygon. Our partner Worten Game Ring, known for driving League of Legends growth in Portugal, is investing in VALORANT as well and will be the title partner for the first edition of VCL PT.

This upgrade marks the second official Riot Games competition in Portugal, alongside the LPLOL, offering new career perspectives and possibilities for VALORANT fans. The competition has already started, and we invite everyone to join us in supporting our teams by following the action on the new Twitch channel: Valleague_pt. The future looks bright for VALORANT in Portugal, and we can't wait to see how it develops in the years to come.