Gucci Opens Gaming Academy Designed To Uplift Mental Health Of Players

Luxury fashion label Gucci has partnered with FACEIT, a leading competitive platform for online multiplayer games, to create its very own Gucci Gaming Academy, which aims to discover and empower the next generation of e-sporting talent.

CS:GO will be the first game the academy is taking on, with the coalition having developed a new program that will “support the development of up-and-coming gaming talent and help accelerate their career path.” 

According to a press release, four rising stars have been identified thus far, and will be provided with full-time training from coaches, top-of-the-line gaming hardware, and mental health support to ensure in-game performance and overall wellbeing. 

The perks are plentiful, ranging from monthly financial allowances to mentorship support, World Health Organization (WHO) expertise on health matters, sessions with specialized esports psychologists, a personalized digital training plan, and access to the Gucci and FACEIT networks for the entirety of their careers.

To pick the cream of the crop, the academy will utilize FACEIT’s analytical tools to scan millions of active player profiles on the platform daily, scouting for promising talent from all corners of the globe. 

Once chosen, these players will undergo various interviews with coaches before they’re officially enrolled into the academy. 

Unlike other gaming initiatives, the Gucci Gaming Academy will not be offering these talented youngsters a long-term contract, but will focus on honing their talent till they’re offered a professional deal by other professionals or teams in the industry. 

As the academy puts it, the initiative aims to “act as the next step” before these players turn professional, aiding the next generation of esports stars in navigating “the mental and physical issues coming from the pressure of in-game performance and online scrutiny.” 

“Gucci is at the forefront of the luxury industry’s foray into the world of gaming and as part of our mission to build meaningful relationships with communities in a genuinely authentic way, we are dedicated to supporting the up-and-coming generations of players to help manage the challenges they may face as a result of participating in esports,” said Nicolas Oudinot, CEO of Gucci Vault.

“Understanding these issues that are relevant to them and learning about these from the people they affect are at the core of this collaboration,” he added.

[via The Drum and FACEIT, cover image via Gucci Gaming Academy]