Full name | XSET Gaming |
---|---|
Games | |
Founded | July 16, 2020 |
Location | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
CEO | Greg Selkoe |
Partners |
|
Website | Official website |
XSET is an American professional gaming and lifestyle media brand based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 2020 by Greg Selkoe, Marco Mereu,[1] Clinton Sparks, and Wil Eddins.[2]
History
[edit]XSET was launched on July 16, 2020,[3] by a group of former executives from FaZe Clan.[4] Selkoe, who previously founded Karmaloop,[5] wanted to create a more inclusive and diverse gaming organization that reflected the racial and gender diversity in the gaming world.[6]
XSET has professional teams competing in various esports titles such as Fortnite, Rocket League, Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Madden NFL, Apex Legends, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Halo Infinite, and iRacing.
In October 2020, Ozuna and Swae Lee joined XSET as investors.[7] In February 2021, hip-hop record label Quality Control invested in XSET during a $10 million funding round.[8]
On October 10, 2023, Cody "Clix" Conrod joined XSET as a co-owner and ambassador in a multi-year partnership deal.[9] Clix released a limited-edition merchandise collection with XSET and in-game activations and content while supporting up-and-coming Fortnite players.[10]
Brand and Culture
[edit]In addition to its competitive esports teams, XSET has a roster of content creators and brand ambassadors. Notable names include Swae Lee,[11] Ozuna,[12] Lil Wayne,[13] Tee Grizzley,[14] Brycent,[15] Ezekiel Elliott,[16] Kris London, and CashNasty.[17]
In 2022, XSET unveiled the first-ever gaming cabanas in partnership with Drai's Beachclub in Las Vegas.[18]
Acquisitions and Expansions
[edit]In April 2023, XSET acquired Queens Gaming Collective.[19]
In July 2023, XSET signed Kris London and CashNasty to create exclusive collaborations, content, and merchandise drops.[20] That same year, XSET signed the robot Sophia, the first humanoid signed by a gaming organization.[21]
Merchandise and Collaborations
[edit]Notable collaborations include:
- Apparel drops with Ganga, featuring his signature "nomad" and Salvador Dalí-inspired designs.[22]
- Merchandise capsules with Kris London and CashNasty.[23]
- A partnership and limited-edition merchandise collection with Cody 'Clix' Conrod.[24]
- SCUF Gaming,[25] HyperX, GHOST Lifestyle[26]
- Fashion and apparel: Roots Canada, Lids
- Quality Control Music, Roland (for the Drop The Bass apparel collection celebrating the TR-808 drum machine[27])
- Boston Red Sox, Drai's Las Vegas
- Fanshark, Wahlburgers
Content and Activations
[edit]XSET has a presence in various cultural spaces, including:
- A gaming residency at Drai's Beachclub and Nightclub.[28]
- An activation at Ozuna Fest in Cancun in December 2021.[29]
- Participation in the Breakaway Music Festival 2023.[30]
- A takeover of Boston's Fenway Park for an "XSET Day."[31]
In 2022, XSET also launched the Black Xcellence program.[32]
Offices
[edit]The company has offices in Boston and Los Angeles.[33]
References
[edit]- ^ https://esportsinsider.com/2022/12/xset-co-founder-marco-mereu-launches-new-esports-organisation-m80
- ^ https://www.efweek.com/team/wil-eddins
- ^ "XSET is Born". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Lorenz, Taylor; Browning, Kellen (16 July 2020). "FaZe Clan President Departs: 'It's Time for Gaming to Clean Up Its Act'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ https://www.karmaloop.com/
- ^ https://nerdstreet.com/news/2022/7/xset-esports-org-two-year-anniversary-greg-selkoe
- ^ "Swae Lee Is the First Artist to Invest in XSET, an Esports Company Rebuilding Gaming Culture". Rolling Stone. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Liao, Shannon (25 February 2021). "Quality Control invests in XSET, more closely linking music and gaming". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ https://esportsinsider.com/2023/10/xset-clix-fortnite-creator-owner
- ^ "Gaming Lifestyle Powerhouse XSET Signs Esports Phenom and Creator Clix". KRON4. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Millman, Ethan (28 October 2020). "Swae Lee Is the First Artist to Invest in XSET, an Esports Company Rebuilding Gaming Culture". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Martinez, Kiko (8 April 2021). "Ozuna Joins Gaming Organization XSET & Becomes First Latino Owner of Esports Team". Remezcla. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "XSET Raises $15M From Lil Wayne's Young Money, Ezekiel Elliott and Others | Built In Boston". Built In. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Detroit's Tee Grizzley Joins Gaming Lifestyle Brand XSET And Helps Former Inmates In The Process". VIBE.com. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Martinez, Jose. "Brycent Joins Lil Wayne & Ozuna-Backed Gaming Lifestyle Organization XSET". Complex. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Rob. "Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott Joins eSports Team XSET as Creator, Investor". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Richman, Olivia (26 July 2023). "YouTubers Kris London and CashNasty Join XSET with Exclusive Content and Merch". Esports Illustrated. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ https://esportsinsider.com/2023/07/xset-drais-partnership-renewal
- ^ Fragen, Jordan (7 April 2023). "XSET acquires women's gaming org Queens Gaming Collective". VentureBeat. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ https://esportsinsider.com/2024/03/xset-kris-london-apparel-range
- ^ "Sophia the robot becomes first humanoid to be signed by a gaming org". Freethink. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Cowen, Trace William. "Ganga Launches Nomad LA Collection in Collaboration With XSET and NTWRK". Complex. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "XSET Welcomes Kris London and CashNasty as New Talent and Partners, Bringing Co-Created Merchandise and Fresh Content to Fans". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ https://esportsinsider.com/2023/10/xset-clix-fortnite-creator-owner
- ^ https://archive.esportsobserver.com/xset-partnership-scuf-gaming/
- ^ https://esportsinsider.com/2020/08/xset-ghost-partnership
- ^ https://variety.com/2021/music/news/women-in-the-mix-survey-recording-academy-music-industry-moves-1235052351/
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/pro/xset-drais-nightclub-concerts-gaming-cabanas/
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/pro/ozuna-xset-gaming-company-partnership-nft-content/
- ^ https://esports.gg/news/gaming/xset-to-partner-with-breakaway-music-festival-bridging-the-gaming-and-music-industry/
- ^ Narayan, Niji (22 June 2023). "XSET Announces Collaboration with Red Sox". Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "XSET LAUNCHES BLACK XCELLENCE CAMPAIGN". XSET. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Karmaloop founder Greg Selkoe is back in Boston. Meet his new venture". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.