The development program is designed to support the next generation of esports talent and improve their soft skills - through dedicated coaching sessions and teamwork activities - and help them deal with the increasing mental and physical issues caused by the pressure to perform in-game and online.

The Gucci Gaming Academy will start with four CS:GO players already competing in the FACEIT Pro League (FPL), a competitive, moderated online league that has proven to be a springboard for the careers of some of esports' most decorated professional players, and intends to increase that number over time. Applicants are selected not only on the basis of their performance in the game, but also through interviews that assess their personal values and soft skills, including their ability to work as a team and their approach to conflict resolution. Players will be part of the academy for up to one year, or until they are signed to a team and thus turn professional.

The Gucci Gaming Academy fills a much-needed role in the future of the esports talent pipeline, easing the transition from amateur to professional, much like academy programs in traditional sports.

Nicolas Oudinot, EVP New Business and CEO of Gucci VAULT, said, "Gucci is at the forefront of the luxury industry's push into the world of gaming and as part of our mission to build meaningful relationships with communities in a truly authentic way, we are dedicated to supporting the emerging generations of gamers to help them overcome the challenges that can come from participating in esports. Understanding the issues that are relevant to them and learning from the people who affect them is at the core of this collaboration."

"We are proud to announce the launch of the Gucci Gaming Academy. Together, we recognized the need to create a new initiative that supports the development of new talent. The Academy provides a clear path to the professional structure and combines the FACEIT Pro League with education and well-being," commented Michele Attisani, Co-Founder and CBO of FACEIT. "The physical and mental demands on players who want to play at the professional level are high. Players have strict training schedules, participate in high-pressure tournaments and are put under immense pressure by fans. It is therefore important that new talent entering this field is provided with the right support structure at an early stage in their development. Supporting and nurturing young esports talent is at the heart of FACEIT's values and through our shared vision with Gucci, we hope the academy will help train the role models of tomorrow."

The ambassadors, commentator James Bardolph, Counter-Strike legend Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund and trailblazer for women in esports Stephanie "missharvey" Harvey, represent the values of the Gucci Gaming Academy. The ambassadors will also act as mentors for the academy players, holding 1:1 meetings with the talent each month.

The Gucci Gaming Academy was developed by Gucci and FACEIT in collaboration with some of the world's leading mental and physical health organizations and legal professionals to ensure that every element of the curriculum was created by experts. As part of the program, Gucci and FACEIT will also work with the World Health Organization to identify ways to help all players involved improve their game while prioritizing health and safety. This includes mental and physical health, combating misinformation online, and other important issues.

"We applaud Gucci and FACEIT's efforts to encourage their large online communities to take the necessary steps for better health and well-being," said Andy Pattison, Team Lead of Digital Channels at the World Health Organization. "We must continue to reach people where they are, in the palms of their hands, with life-saving health messages."

For more information, visit the website created by Gucci and FACEIT with content around the Gucci Gaming Academy, including World Health Organization resources on health and wellness.