SOOP, a new live streaming platform aimed at international audiences, will launch its global beta on June 5.
According to an announcement on Tuesday, SOOP (a property backed by the people behind South Korea-based live streaming company AfreecaTV), is being designed for the international audience of esports and gaming enthusiasts, and has signed a number of high-profile partnerships including T1 League of Legends pro Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok; DRX Valorant player Byung-chul “BuZz” Yu; DRX three-time EVO Tekken champion Bae “Knee” Jae-Min; former Overwatch champion and PUBG pro Kim “EscA” In-jae (currently inactive due to mandatory military service); content creator ACAU (Crocodile), and Thai streamers EDWIN, SuperBusS, and FifaTargrean. Financial terms and durations of these deals were not disclosed, but many of these partnerships are exclusive to the platform, according to a release.
SOOP also noted in its announcement that it will partner with game publishers, tournament organizers, and more; SOOP has already partnered with Riot Games to “exclusively produce and operate” Valorant Challengers Thailand 2024, alongside securing the publishing and broadcasting rights in Thailand for tournaments including the Valorant Champions Tour.
Other SOOP original content will be available at launch, including broadcasts of the AfreecaTV VALORANT League (AVL), Global StarCraft II League (GSL), AfreecaTV StarCraft League (ASL), AfreecaTV Tekken League (ATL), and Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB).
SOOP also said in its announcement that “integrated virtual avatar creation” will be available to users through a partnership with 3D virtual avatar developer partner, MASCOZ, and that the platform will provide “a real-time live stream translation feature.”
SOOP will initially be available on June 5 with plans for North American availability on June 4 in English, Thai, and Chinese for PC users via its web platform, and mobile users via apps for Android and Apple devices.
AfreecaTV is a popular streaming platform in Southeast Asia that operates in South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, North America, and other regions throughout the world. In the past it has partnered with Talon Esports, Xsolla, Riot Games, and many other stakeholders, tournament organizers, and esports organizations.