The Longines eJumping World Tour 2021, equestrian’s latest game development is set to transform the global online Jumping community. Fans can now connect with each other in a virtual competition arena as they play for the top spot on the leaderboard.
Created by GoGallop Studios, a leading publisher in the mobile game world, the eJumping virtual series follows the Eventing version, the FEI Equestriad™ World Tour where horse and athlete combinations compete across the three tests of Dressage, Cross Country and Jumping.
With FEI Top Partner Longines lending its name to this newest eSeries addition, GoGallop has released the Shanghai leg in the first of four virtual events that will form the Longines eJumping World Tour 2021.
“The partnership between Longines and the FEI, has been based on our mutual values of elegance, tradition and performance with the disciplines we support,” Longines Vice President Marketing Matthieu Baumgartner said.
“Our relationship with the FEI has evolved greatly since 2013 and our support for this eGame initiative is just a natural progression in our brand awareness and digital growth strategy. We are excited to have the Longines eJumping World Tour as part of our sponsorship portfolio and are proud to play a part in the development of this new chapter in the FEI’s digital activities.”
The Jumping events in the fantasy venues of Sydney, New York and Paris will round off the Longines eSeries World Tour, with gamers able to compete against each other for their place on the virtual Longines eJumping World Tour Rankings. As players move up on the global game leaderboard they unlock challenges and rewards in the game, adding ribbons and trophies to their in-game display cabinet.
“These eGames are an excellent example of the way in which technology and brands can come together to enhance the development of equestrian,” FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus said.
“With the support of our Top Partner Longines and GoGallop’s gaming expertise, we are able to take equestrian sport to a truly global audience and offer a level of engagement and immersion that traditional outreach methods have been unable to provide so far. Gaming is an agile market with tremendous potential for broadening equestrian’s reach and attractiveness and we look forward to seeing where this journey takes us.”
Since the FEI entered into a five-year licensing agreement with GoGallop in April 2021, the Australian-based company has been hard at work developing a series of FEI branded and FEI Nations Cup™ virtual events in the three Olympic disciplines. The eGames target horse lovers of all ages, from beginner pony club to more experienced riders. The company’s motto of “Made for horse lovers, by horse lovers” plays a key role in their approach to their eGame development.
“On the sport side, our aim is to create an online competition experience which allows gamers to increase their knowledge and understanding of the sport,” CEO of GoGallop Craig Laughton said.
“To compete, gamers have to learn the rules of each discipline, with feedback and positive reinforcement provided to them along the way through real-time commentary. By working with the FEI and their partners, we have been able to add a greater sense of realism and to enhance the whole gaming experience for fans.
“But equestrian is not just a sport, it is also a lifestyle choice and first time players receive a brief tutorial on the fundamentals of horsemanship and horse care. All these elements must come together for players to earn the necessary points that take them to the next level.”
The Sydney, New York and Paris legs of the Longines eJumping World Tour 2021 will be rolled out over the coming months, and plans are also underway for the release of an eDressage Series.
The Longines eJumping World Tour is now available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play.
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