Smilegate, the developer and publisher of the first-person shooter (FPS) Crossfire, has entered into a strategic partnership with esports data platform GRID to establish an official match data infrastructure.

Under the terms of the agreement, GRID will integrate directly with the Crossfire game engine to capture and distribute live match data. This initiative is designed to support the franchise’s commercial growth, fan engagement, and competitive integrity across its global esports ecosystem.

The partnership marks the first time that official Crossfire data will be available to the global market. Launched in 2007, the title reports over one billion lifetime registered players in more than 80 countries, according to a press release. By enabling scalable and reliable data access, the collaboration aims to provide new tools for broadcasters, media partners, and the betting integrity sector, specifically focusing on the game’s strongholds in Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM).

Regarding the strategic importance of the data integration, Kihyoung Cho, SVP of Smilegate, stated: “GRID’s technology gives us new ways to engage players, enhance entertainment value, and innovate around our IP. We see official data distribution as a key part of how we continue to build our community and deliver exceptional experiences.”

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Charlie Hanley-Nickolls, CPO of GRID, added: “This partnership reflects the growing recognition of match data as part of the game’s IP—helping evolve esports ecosystems, enabling new activations, improving fan experiences, and unlocking commercial opportunities around the game.”

Crossfire Stars (CFS), the franchise’s flagship global league, has historically attracted significant viewership, with Smilegate reporting over one billion cumulative viewers for the circuit. The integration with GRID is expected to professionalize the distribution of statistics for these tournaments, aligning the strategy with other established FPS titles in the industry.

The announcement arrives as major Western organizations begin to eye the title; notably, Team Vitality recently announced its expansion into Crossfire ahead of the 2026 competitive season, aiming specially the title’s tournament at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026.

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