INGAGE
By Z&Co
20th August 2024
Dear reader,
It is an absolute pleasure to release this first issue of the INGAGE E-SPORT MAGAZINE. Whilst we never aimed to be solely focused on Pokémon Unite, much of the content in this issue will be focused on the Pokémon Unite World Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii. Having said that, we’re cooking up some new environments within the INGAGE-Osphere, including heading into Pokémon VGC, BGMI, Honour of Kings, Super Smash Bros and potentially Rocket League before the end of the year. If you would like to contribute towards the next issue, please do reach out to me!
Another key note is the release of our INGAGE App, which has already launched into the Google Play store, and will be hitting the IOS App Store by next week. We hope you continue to support us by downloading the app and partaking in building your own portfolio or taking part in the tournaments hosted here.
I would like to extend my thanks to the many writers on this issue.
Sincerely,
Zenith (@INGAGE_Zenith) Director of Z&Co Gaming Ltd & INGAGE.GG
About the WRITERS
Shivam aka Ketchum09S is a Tournament Organiser and Ghatlue's Manager. He is currently working for Unity Clash (Head), UniteBattleHub (Admin), Indigo League (Admin) & INGAGE (News Writer).
SpartanTano, hailing from the UK. Caster, Creator, Coffee Aficionado. You’ll usually see me him Twitch or YouTube shouting into a mic whilst casting Pokemon Unite. It’s his aim to be the UKs biggest caster for Unite #Tano4EUIC
I'm P0k3R. Latin-Spanish, I love music, videogames and manga. In charge of supporting the Pokémon Unite community by distributing data and statistics from various tournaments.
I am happyto havebeen able to collaboratewiththe community since the beginning of the World Championships until these great finals. There were many events in between, if it wasn't for the community that welcomed me with open arms, I would have stopped a long time ago. However, now new challenges are coming so we will need to give more support and collaboration so that we can continue to improve the environment, and the community can continue to grow in the competitive aspect. I love Pokémon Unite as much as many others, so let's go for it!
STATE OF CASTING
The Pokémon Unite world championships is now over, with none other than Fennel reigning from Japan taking the 2024 title! Unite continues to show year on year why it is such a fantastic game to watch in the E-sport scene with record breaking viewers for Unite this year, over 60k noted by some.
the scale of growth in casting within the Pokémon Unite scene. This past year's season we have seen more organizations host tournaments and leagues and more people than ever having a go at casting this game.
The world championship had the best casting lineup yet with the expected Spragels, Doobsnax, Zoinks and Wonderchef combo returning, but then we had the addition of Kelosaurus returning and Daneliecasts getting her well-earned opportunity to shine.
Worlds Unite casters really are in an element of their own with the energy and the passion they bring.
They help to show how well Unite is suited (pun intended?) to the Esports scene with how easy they manage to connect their witty colour comments and fast paced play by play. Something other areas of Pokémon Esports just don’t have
Written by @Spartan_Tano
The legendary duo Spragels & Doobsnax
Zoinks & Danelie sharing the caster’s desk.
Zoinks & Wonderchef continuing to do what they do at Worlds.
The 2024 Pokémon World Championship
STATE OF CASTING
The greatest thing about Unite this past year and in the future though is how easy it is to have a go at casting this wonderful game.
As I write this, at the end of the 2024 season, Unite has multiple tournaments and leagues lined up for teams to stay on top of their game throughout the off season and even more amazing opportunities for people to hone their casting skills or give it a try for the first time.
I started casting Unite myself this past year and have had an absolute blast doing so, connecting and learning from other casters from tournament to tournament has helped me develop from casting random custom games on stream to casting the biggest global Unite scene tourneys like Unity Clash, Unite Battle Hub Elite tour and the INGAGE Master Series.
We have seen home grown talents burst onto the scene such as Dreiku, Itsmefu and Lobo in OCE, SteelAgentKyle, ZeroInOnAlex and HuskyStar for NA and myself, SpartanTano, as well as T1NZ for the UK and that (was only just the English speaking casters) is just the very tip of the iceberg.
I only hope that we see Pokémon try to give an opportunity to these new talents when they can and the best way to do that is to ensure these casters get to represent their region when the regionals come to their areas. I want to see Pokémon use Regionals like EUIC and NAIC as an opportunity to help showcase the amazing talent in the Pokémon Unite scene because every one of these casters work incredibly hard to showcase the game and develop their skills to be on that big stage on camera!
Introduction
The Pokémon UNITE World Championship Series (WCS) 2024 kicked off in spectacular fashion on August 16th in Hawaii. This prestigious tournament brought together 26 elite teams from across the globe, all vying for the title of world champion. Day 1 was an intense Group Stage, where teams battled within 8 groups to secure their place in the knockout rounds on Day 2. Let’s dive into the exhilarating events of the Group Stage.
Group A: Shocking Eliminations
The day opened with a high-stakes match between Luminosity Gaming, the reigning WCS champions of 2022 and 2023, and Brazil’s top seed, Legacy. Legacy set the tone early, taking Game 1 by exploiting the Zeraora-Sweet Kiss Comfey combo of Luminosity’s Overlord and JL. However, Luminosity rallied, winning the next two games and securing a 2-1 victory.
Fans were excited, remembering how Luminosity had a similar start last year losing Game 1 but then dominating the rest of the tournament. But this time, there was an unexpected twist. Off-stream, Legacy secured a 2-0 victory over Issen Aumento, and in a shocking turn of events, Issen Aumento then defeated Luminosity 2-0.
This stunning upset led to the unthinkable: Legacy and Issen Aumento advanced, while Luminosity Gaming, the two-time defending champions, were eliminated. 16th in Hawaii. This prestigious tournament brought together 26 elite teams from across the globe, all vying for the title of world champion. Day 1 was an intense Group Stage, where teams battled within 8 groups to secure their place in the knockout rounds on Day 2. Let’s dive into the exhilarating events of the Day 1 Group Stage.
Group B: Narrow Escapes
Group B was a battleground of close calls. GEE began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Peru Unite, while Talon Esports swept CakeKaLok 2-0. CakeKaLok bounced back, defeating both GEE and Peru Unite 2-0, setting up a tense final round. For GEE to advance, they needed a 2-0 win over Talon, but Talon proved too strong, winning 2-1 and sealing GEE’s fate.
In the end, Talon Esports and CakeKaLok emerged from the group, while GEE and Peru Unite were sent packing.
Group C: Regional Titans Clash
Group C featured some of the best teams from their respective regions, leading to intense competition. Nouns Esports began their journey with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over XoraTigersGaming, then continued their dominance with 2-0 wins over Reject JSV and Antic Esports.
Antic Esports struggled, losing to XoraTigersGaming 1-2 and then falling to Reject JSV 0-2. The final spot in Day 2 hinged on the match between Reject and XoraTigersGaming, with the latter securing a 2-1 victory and advancing alongside Nouns Esports.
Group D: A Smooth Ride
In Group D, SAR and DreamMax Esports were the clear favorites, and they did not disappoint. SAR cruised to 2-0 victories over both DreamMax and Ground Zero Gaming, while DreamMax secured their place with a 2-0 win over Ground Zero.
As expected, SAR and DreamMax Esports advanced, leaving Ground Zero Gaming behind.
Group E: Group of Death
Group E, featuring the top teams from Japan and LATAM North, along with Spain’s Rival Esports, was one of the most anticipated groups. Fennel dominated the competition, sweeping Tiburones Rojos (E7 Janus) and Rival Esports 2-0.
Tiburones Rojos rebounded from their loss to Fennel with a 2-0 victory over Rival Esports, securing their place in Day 2. Fennel and Tiburones Rojos advanced, while Rival Esports were sent home.
Group F: Shaky Start
Group F saw Fusion struggle early, narrowly defeating Orange Juicers 2-1. They managed to keep their momentum, also winning 2-1 against EVOS Onyx. Orange Juicers clinched their spot in Day 2 with a 2-1 victory over EVOS Onyx.
Fusion and Orange Juicers advanced, while EVOS Onyx, despite a valiant effort, were eliminated.
Group G: Dominance Displayed
ZETA Division asserted their dominance in Group G, sweeping both ONIC Rise and Panda A GOGO 2-0. ONIC Rise followed suit, defeating Panda A GOGO 2-0 to secure their spot in the knockout stage.
ZETA Division and ONIC Rise advanced, while Panda A GOGO’s journey came to an end.
Group H: Defenders at the ready!
Group H saw Team MYS showcase their famed Defender Composition, sweeping both Yalla Bingo and Fluffy Nemesis 2-0. In a tightly contested match, Fluffy Nemesis edged out Yalla Bingo 2-1, securing the final spot in Day 2.
Team MYS and Fluffy Nemesis advanced, while Yalla Bingo were eliminated.
The Group Stage of the Pokémon UNITE World Championships 2024 has concluded, and 16 teams have earned their spots on Day 2. These teams emerged from fierce competition, representing various regions across the globe:
• Legacy (Brazil)
• Issen Aumento (APAC East)
• Talon Esports (APAC East)
• CakeKaLok (APAC West)
• Nouns Esports (Europe)
• XoraTigersGami ng (Korea)
• Shinn & Ruoday (APAC East)
• DreamMax Esports (Brazil)
• Fennel (Japan)
• Tiburones Rojos (LATAM North)
• Fusion (LATAM South)
• Orange Juicers (North America)
• ZETA Division (Japan)
• ONIC Rise (APAC West)
• Team MYS (APAC West)
• Fluffy Nemesis (North America)
Single Elimination Bracket Setup
The Day 2 bracket followed a unique format where the top-placed teams from each group selected their opponents from the available second-placed teams. This strategic choice set the stage for intense matchups, with each team vying for a spot in the Top 8.
TOP 16 MATCH UPS
Day 2 began with a bang as Nouns Esports took on Tiburones Rojos, the top seed from LATAM North. Nouns Esports delivered a commanding performance, securing a 2-0 victory and advancing to the Top 8.
Next, Team MYS faced XoraTigersGaming, a matchup that proved to be a nightmare for the APAC West team. XoraTigersGaming dominated, winning 2-0 and sending Team MYS home.
Talon Esports then crushed Fluffy Nemesis, one of North America’s best teams, with a clean 2-0 sweep, shattering their championship dreams.
In a battle of the Titans, Shinn & Ruoday were forced to choose ONIC Rise as their opponents. This match was a clash of super teams, but in a surprising upset, ONIC Rise eliminated Shinn & Ruoday, dashing their hopes of advancing.
Fennel, the Japanese powerhouse, faced Issen Aumento, the team that had previously eliminated the two-time world champions Luminosity Gaming. Fennel, however, proved too strong, winning 2-0 and moving on to the next round.
Legacy, unaware of the underdog status of their opponents, CakeKaLok, faced a major upset. CakeKaLok pulled off a stunning 20 victory, eliminating the Brazilian team from the tournament.
ZETA Division took on DreamMax Esports, the second-seeded team from Brazil. DreamMax started strong, winning Game 1, but ZETA Division rallied, taking the next two games to eliminate DreamMax.
Finally, Fusion had a rough start against Orange Juicers, but thanks to Anemo’s impressive Buzzwole plays and a clutch Chandelure passive secure, they won 2-1, eliminating the last North American team and ensuring that the 2024 championship would be claimed by a new region.
Top 8 Matchups: The Battle Intensifies
As the competition heated up, the Top 8 matchups delivered thrilling action:
Nouns Esports vs. ONIC Rise: This was a revenge match for Nouns Esports, who had faced ONIC (then RRQ) in the same group during WCS 2023 and lost. However, history repeated itself as Nouns Esports’ strategies faltered, leading to a 0-2 defeat and their elimination.
Fennel vs. Talon Esports: Fennel continued their dominant run, easily defeating Talon Esports 2-0 and securing their spot in the Top 4.
XoraTigersGaming vs. ZETA Division: In a hard-fought battle against the ACL Champions of 2024, XoraTigersGaming emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, advancing to the semifinals.
Fusion vs. CakeKaLok: Fusion maintained their momentum, dispatching CakeKaLok with a 2-0 victory to advance to the Top 4.
- Fennel (Japan)
- XoraTigersGaming (Korea)
- ONIC Rise (Indonesia)
- Fusion (LATAM South)
The Top 4 featured teams from four different regions, adding to the excitement:
In the first semifinal, Fennel faced ONIC Rise. Fennel dominated the first game, but ONIC Rise fought back to take Game 2, handing Fennel their first loss of the tournament. However, Fennel regrouped and crushed ONIC Rise in Game 3, winning 2-1 and advancing to the Grand Finals.
In the second semifinal, XoraTigersGaming faced Fusion, a team that had never lost a single tournament until now. The Korean underdogs delivered a stunning 2-0 victory, knocking Fusion out of the tournament and securing their place in the Grand Finals.
Zeta Devision debut at the Worlds as one of the most formidable foes.
Grand Finals
Grand Finals: A Historic Victory
The Grand Finals of WCS 2024 promised to be epic, and it did not disappoint. Every year, the Grand Finals have ended in a clean sweep:
WCS 2022: Blackhand vs. Nouns Esports, 3-0
WCS 2023: Luminosity Gaming vs. OMO Abyssinian, 3-0
Fennel continued this tradition by sweeping XoraTigersGaming 3-0. Despite the close third game, Fennel’s perseverance and skill led them to victory, crowning them the Pokémon UNITE WCS 2024 champions. The crowd erupted in cheers, especially for TONGG, who proved to be the final boss of the tournament.
Fun Fact: With Fennel’s win, Japan claimed its first-ever major title in a MOBA esports tournament, marking a historic moment for the region.
Zoroark, a main threat from previous seasons finds itself at the bottom of the Top 30 pile. Although Luminousity’s Overlord used it well with a pocket Comfey during the group stages, it clearly did not have the desired effect on the wider scale of carrying games as it used to.
The fall of Blastoise and Buzzwole also gives way for new meta threats like the returning Urshifu and Cramorant. As well as an expected strong debut from Mimikyu.
Defenders like Umbreon and Mamoswine reach the top 5 most used Pokémon.
This also signifies the ability of these two defenders to neutralise much of the CC threat in this seasons meta.
Ceruledge makes a strong mark on its World’sdebut, whilst Eldegoss continues to strengthenit’s position as a staple draft pick, despite the nerfs earlier this season.
PLAYERS THAT HEALED THE MOST IN A MATCH
PLAYERS THAT TANKED THE MOST IN A MATCH
TOP 20
DAMAGE DEALERS IN A MATCH
Lotus 8 Esports
Our Philosophy and Vision
Lotus 8 Esports stands for more than just competitive excellence; we are committed to fostering the growth of well-rounded individuals. We believe that success in esports is achieved through a balance of mental, physical, and emotional development. Our programs are designed to nurture these aspects of our players, giving them the toolsthey needto handle the pressures of competition while also promoting their personal growth.
Our vision is to create a community where players are recognized for their in-game skills as well as their resilience, discipline, and leadership. Whether players aspire to compete at the highest levels of esports, pursue collegiate scholarships, or simply improve their skills, Lotus 8 Esports provides the guidance and support needed to help them achieve their goals.
Lotus 8 Esports: Elevating Performance Through Holistic Development
At Lotus 8 Esports, we believe in cultivating both the competitive and personal development of our players. Our mission is to provide an environment where aspiring esports athletes can thrive, in their gameplay as well as their overall well-being. By combining elite coaching, a strong community, and our Performance Mindset Mindfulness (PMM) program, we offer a comprehensive approach to player development. Our goal is to help players excel both on and off the virtual stage, ensuring they are prepared for the rigors of competitive esports and life beyond the game.
The PMM Program: Enhancing Performance and Personal Growth
Central to our mission is the Performance Mindset Mindfulness (PMM) program, a cornerstone of our training philosophy. The PMM program is designed to enhance both the mental and emotional resilience of our players, helping them manage the pressures of competitive gaming and life. Our expert coaches utilize research-based exercises and proven methods to develop key mental skills that are essential for success in esports.
Lotus 8 Esports
The PMM program is structured around four core pillars that address the various mental and emotional aspects of competitive performance. Our coaches specialize in one or more of these pillars, ensuring that each player receives personalized support in the areas they need most. These four pillars are:
• Focus and Concentration
• Self-Confidence
• Stress Management
• Self-Resilience
By incorporating these pillars into our training, our players develop the tools needed to manage stress, boost their confidence, and maintain focus during high-pressure situations.
1. Focus and Concentration
Focus is one of the most crucial elements of competitive gaming. Players are required to maintain their attention for extended periods, often under intense pressure. This pillar emphasizes enhancing a player's ability to concentrate during critical moments, helping them stay locked into the game and make quick, effective decisions.
Our coaches guide players through various exercises to improve focus, such as visualization techniques, breathing exercises, and realtime feedback during gameplay. These practices help players block out distractions, maintain their attention, and remain present during matches.
Improving concentration leads to better in-game performance and helps players become more disciplined and focused in their day-to-day lives.
2. Self-Confidence
Self-confidence is key to performing at a high level in esports. Without it, players are more likely to secondguess their decisions and falter under pressure. The self-confidence pillar focuses on building a strong sense of self-worth and belief in one’s abilities. Our coaches work with players to boost their confidence through positive reinforcement, visualization techniques, and confidencebuilding exercises.
One of the tools we use is Mantra Training for Esports, where players develop personal mantras to reinforce positive thinking and maintain a winning mindset. When players believe in their ability to succeed, they can approach each match with the right mindset, increasing their chances of success.
3. Stress Management
Esports competitions often come with high levels of stress, which can negatively impact performance if not managed properly. The stress management pillar equips players with the tools they need to identify, manage, and reduce stress effectively. Our coaches use techniques such as Box Breathing, Mindfulness Meditation, and post-game debriefs to help players cope with the pressures of competition.
In addition to these exercises, our PMM program offers guided Pre-Game Meditation Sessions, where players can center themselves before a match, ensuring they enter the game with a calm and clear mind. Managing stress improves performance and prevents burnout, allowing players to sustain their competitive careers over the long term.
4. Self-Resilience
Esports players, like athletes in any other sport, must develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Resilience is essential for long-term success, as failures and losses are inevitable parts of the competitive process. The self-resilience pillar focuses on teaching players how to recover quickly from setbacks and maintain a positive outlook.
Our coaches use exercises such as Turning Challenges into Wins and Developing Hope Maps to help players shift their perspective on failure. Instead of viewing losses as defeats, players learn to see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. This mindset keeps them motivated and helps them persevere through difficult periods.
Lotus 8 Esports
Why PMM Matters for Esports Athletes
The PMM program is designed to enhance player performance while also fostering personal growth. By focusing on mental resilience, emotional stability, and positive habits, PMM equips players to handle the demands of esports and everyday life with confidence. Players trained in PMM develop skills such as emotional intelligence, stress management, and confidence-building techniques. These attributes contribute to their in-game success and also prepare them for challenges outside of gaming.
At Lotus 8 Esports, we believe in developing players who excel in both their gameplay and personal lives. Through our PMM program and holistic approach to training, we ensure that our players are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in any competitive environment. Lotus 8 fosters a community that values growth, resilience, and peak performance, guiding our players to success in esports and beyond.
Find out more about our partners by visiting their website here.
After seeing the play this year - Which 5 Pokémon do you think will dominate in tournament play regardless of the upcoming patch?
Hoopa, Blissey, Trevenant, Mew, Gyarados all feel very good but not a priority to be nerf worthy at this point.
Would the word ‘humbling’ be correct in looking at the state of play for some regions?
I think NA and EU definitely got a wakeup call. I think OCE finished as expected in my opinion, as they are trying to find their footing from year one.
Most people had a strong inkling that LATAM, JAPAN and APAC would show up stronger than NA/OCE/EU. Was there anything you noticed from their gameplay or team in person, that differed to some of the NA/OCE/EU Teams?
Japan specifically seemed like they understood their opponents regardless of region. In general, the West understood the western teams but came across as lost against Asian teams. Overall, it seemed like Asia had done better research on all teams.
What’s your views of the current disunited state of NA? What does the region need to do to return strong next year?
NA is in a lot of trouble. The talent is absolutely there to be champs, but need to start remembering that iron sharpens iron. If the top teams aren’t working together the region will collectively falter.
There’s one year to prepare for the next worlds? How does any team prepare and challenge World Champions Fennel now?
Research, creativity, having a baseline strategy to default to, multiple strategies that can be employed, understanding player’s needs.
