Major League Gaming (MLG), the official professional video game league for console game players, announced today two of its top players, Matthew "Zyos" Leto and Joe "Dyslexia" Renaud, are the recipients of one-year sponsorships from Nokia N-Gage. The move marks the first time a mobile phone manufacturer has entered into a relationship with professional video game players to serve as ambassadors for the promotion of video game properties and related company events.
"We are delighted with the new relationship formed by Major League Gaming and Nokia N-Gage," said Michael Sepso, chief executive officer of MLG. "We were thrilled to have Nokia N-Gage as a sponsor of our 2004 inaugural season, and Nokia's openness to involve our professional players in its future growth continues showcasing the legitimacy of MLG and the growth and prestige of professional video game players and competitions throughout the United States."
"Zyos and Dyslexia amazed gamers and gaming spectators at each Major League Gaming event they competed at." Said Nada Usina, general manager, Nokia games business unit, North and South America, "We know that their enthusiasm for the N-Gage platform will further entrench the N-Gage QD as the phone that every gamer must have."
As inaugural members of Team N-Gage, the endorsement includes involvement in all ongoing Team N-Gage activities, including participation in special N-Gage Arena tournaments and competitions throughout the United States. Members of Team N-Gage will be part of the future of bringing N-Gage titles to the US, including beta testing, online promotions, forum activity and community building between players and developers. The endorsement also includes a Team N-Gage section at http://www.n-gage.com, where players can access tips, game play movies, screenshots and other assets. In turn, members of Team N-Gage are outfitted with Nokia gear to wear at all major gaming tournaments.
"I'm thrilled to serve as an inaugural member of Team N-Gage," said Zyos. "The sponsorship demonstrates the respect MLG and pro gamers continue receiving throughout the industry I am also a huge fan of Super Monkey Ball."
Zyos, 20, began playing video games at the age of four. From his first love, Mario Brothers, to playing on a variety of consoles, he realized the potential to turn his passion into something far greater. Combined with an unyielding competitive streak and driving attitude, Zyos began playing up to five hours daily, competing whenever and wherever he could. He became a professional player in November 2002 and joined the ranks as an MLG Pro in August 2003. Today, Zyos is the #1-ranked MLG professional player in the nation and one of the top professionals in the world.
"Nokia N-Gage has been a tremendous sponsor of MLG," said Dyslexia. "I am pleased to be chosen as an ambassador for Team N-Gage and look forward to working with Nokia to promote its video games."
A lifelong game enthusiast, Dyslexia, 23, has whittled away countless hours cultivating his skills and competitive edge. Whether it was he and his father playing Tetris at an early age or when he won his first neighborhood tournament in high school playing GoldenEye: 007, Dyslexia has always loved competition. Dyslexia holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio State University and hopes to meld his academic and gaming expertise into a career as a video game journalist. Today, he is currently the #2-ranked national player of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater for Nokia N-Gage.