Saudi Esports Federation Welcomes Razer Back to Gamers8

Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, will be the gaming gear partner at “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes”. (SPA)
Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, will be the gaming gear partner at “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes”. (SPA)
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Saudi Esports Federation Welcomes Razer Back to Gamers8

Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, will be the gaming gear partner at “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes”. (SPA)
Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, will be the gaming gear partner at “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes”. (SPA)

The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) announced on Tuesday that Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, is to be the gaming gear partner at “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes”, the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide.

This is the second consecutive year that SEF and Razer have collaborated for Gamers8, following the successful partnership last summer.

Organized by SEF, “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes” runs for eight weeks from July 6 and features elite esports tournaments at the purpose-built venue at Boulevard Riyadh City, as well as live concerts and numerous activities and attractions.

Razer will provide premium hardware from their range of gaming peripherals for VIPs and influencers during Gamers8, as well as having the products showcased during the esports competitions together with the company’s well-known logo on the official broadcast.

Just like last year, a unique Gamers8 x Razer collection will be sold exclusively on-site during the festival, with items from the company’s signature collection also available for purchase.

In addition, SEF and Razer will organize raffles for “Gamers8: The Land of Heroes” attendees, and fans on social media, to win some exclusive gaming gear.

Ahmed Albishri, Deputy CEO at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Good partnerships produce great things together, and we are delighted to welcome back Razer as gaming gear partner for another incredible eight-week spell of Gamers8 action.”

“‘Gamers8: The Land of Heroes’ is the destination for gamers this summer and we thank Razer for once again pledging their support to Saudi Arabia’s booming gaming and esports industry,” he added.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Gamers8 once again for this opportunity,” said Flo Gutierrez, Global Esports Director at Razer. "Razer is dedicated to enhancing the gaming experience for gamers worldwide and partnering with the Saudi Esports Foundation for Gamers8 is a demonstration of our commitment to supporting and celebrating the gaming community worldwide. We look forward to another amazing edition of Gamers8.”

“Gamers8: The Land of Heroes” has a prize pool of $45 million – triple that of Gamers8 last year. Full details of all the elite titles appearing at Gamers8 this summer will be released soon.

The festival concludes with the Next World Forum, a gaming and esports forum held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Center on August 30-31, that brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.



Decision on Digital Pound over Two Years Away, Bank of England Says

A view of the Bank of England and the financial district, in London, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim/File Photo
A view of the Bank of England and the financial district, in London, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim/File Photo
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Decision on Digital Pound over Two Years Away, Bank of England Says

A view of the Bank of England and the financial district, in London, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim/File Photo
A view of the Bank of England and the financial district, in London, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim/File Photo

No decision will be made for at least a couple of years on whether Britain will go ahead with a central bank digital currency for the general public, the Bank of England said on Tuesday, pushing back the timeline for the project.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak championed the idea of a digital currency in 2021 when he was finance minister, but the BoE and the current government have been more reluctant and a public consultation attracted widespread privacy concerns.

Governor Andrew Bailey said in October that a central bank digital currency was "not my preferred option" but might be needed if British banks did not ensure their payment systems were more attractive than those offered by less regulated tech companies, Reuters reported.

The BoE said on Tuesday it was starting work with Britain's finance ministry on a potential design for a digital currency, in line with plans in a previous consultation.

"After completing the design phase over the next couple of years, including taking account of developments in the wider payments landscape, the Bank and government will assess the policy case for a digital pound and determine whether or not to proceed," the BoE said.

In January 2024, the BoE said a decision on whether to go ahead with a digital currency would not be made before 2025 at the earliest.

Britain's government has said a digital pound would be private but not anonymous, unlike physical cash.

As with existing bank accounts and credit card payments, authorities would be able to track transactions they suspect involve money laundering or finance terrorism.

"This legislation would safeguard users' privacy, guaranteeing that neither the Bank nor the government could access users' personal information nor control how households and businesses use their money," the BoE said.