eSports
The future of Esports: Video games to be played at Olympics and Glastonbury by 2050, experts predict
How big will the industry be in 30 years time?
With esports now a $1billion industry this year and its popularity still rising, we ask the question – what does the future hold for professional gaming?
A gaming stage at Glastonbury, giant sold out 100,000-seater stadiums and even a place in the Olympics?
That’s where some academics feel esports could be by 2050.
After exclusively speaking to the experts, we’ve created some food for thought about how the industry evolves in decades to come.
Gaming at festivals such as Glastonbury or Coachella?
As many event organisers now look to bring in wider audiences and test the waters, gaming could be on the cards to feature at some of the world’s biggest festivals.
With comedy stages, poetry and circus acts becoming part of the usual attractions, could competitive gaming be an outlet to bring in new audiences?
Lincoln Geraghty, Professor of Media Cultures at University of Portsmouth in the UK, said: “Absolutely, the crossovers are there. Comicon for example in the last 30 years has gone from comic books to games to big marketing launches.
“So I see a space like Glastonbury, that has a subcultural prestige with people interested in explicit music and the relationship of music and games, people might be drawn to it.”
Esports in the Olympics?
Esports games are already broadcasted to millions of people around the world. Last year’s League of Legends World Championship semi-finals were watched live by 3.9million.
But what about on an elite, mainstream level? The Intel World Open was set to precede this year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics before it was cancelled, a stepping stone for esports to potentially feature in the competition itself.
Professor Geraghty said: “This is something the Olympic committee is looking at and it would almost certainly provide a much safer space for this competition to take place.
“Whether it be a massive tournament on the scale of the World Cup or be included in the Olympics in 30 years time, it won’t be unexpected and won’t be a surprise.”
All colleges and universities to offer esports majors/degrees?
This is unlikely, but not impossible.
There are already cases around the world of university majors and degrees being offered in game design and for specific games themselves.
As more people in higher education take up these courses, the novelty may wear off and that could lead to more awareness of the power games have on society.
Professor Regan Mandryk, Professor in Computer Science at University of Saskatchewan in Canada, said: “You can now go through college on a League of Legends scholarship, that’s going to change the cache of being an esports athlete.
“I would like to see the stigma of it being a “nerdy” activity change. It’s going to be hard, but it will happen by more people being exposed to different aspects of playing.”
Regularly filling 100,000 seater stadiums?
Whether it’s the World Cup or the Super Bowl, thousands of people want to be there to see how sporting events play out.
And this is no different for esports, even now.
The Spodak Arena in Katowice, Poland held 173,000 people to watch the Intel Extreme Masters in 2017.
“People see their heroes in these gamers and esports personalities,” Professor Geraghty added.
“It’s only replacing the footballer on the pitch with a competitor on your computer screen.”
He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised to see a football stadium or convention centres sell out to see a huge gaming tournament.
“As content creators increase in popularity, people will pay to come out and see them in person.”
To better the understanding of mental and physical health
We all understand games can be stressful and frustrating at times, but the techniques used in a lot of the technology is actually helping health professionals understand humans more.
Despite many negative connotations, studies have found games can actually help our mental health, but also be used to understand the physical effects of stress and recovery.
“Gaming can be very good for you. There are lots of ways that it can help you recover from stress,” added Professor Mandryk.
“It can help you disconnect from the pressures around you. It can also help you connect socially with other people.
“We’ve done research that shows gaming can actually combat loneliness.”
But, how do we get the best out games in the future within other areas of society?
Professor Mandryk said: “Part of the answer is to stop being so afraid of games.”
“This is a very powerful median that we can leverage. There is a lot of motivational pull and people are devoting a lot of time to playing games so why aren’t we harnessing what’s great about them to better society.”
Today, Virtus.pro kick things off at Esports World Cup 2024 — the largest event in esports history.
EWC marks the first championship of this scale. Our club is represented by eight rosters that have already secured their spots, with two more currently competing in qualifying matches for the chance to face the world’s best teams. Virtus.pro have made a significant leap towards multi-gaming, catering to every fan with their preferred title.
For the tournament’s start, Virtus.pro has prepared a video, crafted with respect for the fans and their passion for the club. It features numerous references to the two-decade history of Virtus.pro.
With the main character, a polar bear, viewers will journey from the team’s inception to triumphant victories at global competitions, establishing themselves as one of the leaders in the industry. The video is rich with references to key moments in the club’s history and emotional events that have touched fans’ hearts, including the famous arrow at TI9. From the first frame to the last, this video is a love letter to our fans!
Virtus.pro’s new challenges in Riyadh will begin tomorrow. Cheer for the Bears and become a part of the history we are writing together right now!
The following Virtus.pro line-ups will compete at Esports World Cup 2024 in Riyadh:
Dota 2
Tournament dates: July 4-21, prize pool: $5,000,000
CS2
Tournament dates: July 17-21, prize pool: $1,000,000
Overwatch 2
Tournament dates: July 24-28, prize pool: $1,000,000
Apex Legends
Tournament dates: July 31 – August 4, prize pool: $2,000,000
Street Fighter 6
Tournament dates: August 8-11, prize pool: $1,000,000
StarCraft II
Tournament dates: August 14-18, prize pool: $1,000,000
PUBG
Tournament dates: August 21-25, prize pool: $2,000,000
Rennsport
Tournament dates: August 22-25, prize pool: $500,000
Additionally, two of our teams will soon compete in qualifying matches for EWC: Rainbow Six Siege and Honor of Kings.
The post Virtus.pro present an announcement video for the start of Esports World Cup 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Inaugural Esports World Cup is a global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom, with a record-breaking prize pool of over $60 million (500 Cr.)
Star Sports Network and the Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) today announced the acquisition of broadcasting rights for the Esports World Cup (“EWC”) 2024. The tournament, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 3rd to August 25th, will unite the global gaming communities and deliver premier competition in a unique format at an unprecedented scale. Over eight weeks, the EWC will feature the world’s top Esports clubs competing in 21 of the most popular game titles, making it the largest multi-game Esports tournament ever. As the official broadcaster, Star Sports is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of the tournament, offering viewers and fans an unparalleled Esports experience with in-depth commentary in English and Hindi. The Esports World Cup will be streamed on Star Sports’ YouTube channel and broadcast on linear TV via Star Sports First and Star Sports 2.
In 2022, BGMI Masters became the first Esports franchise to be broadcast in India by the Star Sports Network, drawing in millions of viewers over its linear television debut. Highlighting the immense popularity of the online multiplayer battle royale game, Star Sports has been instrumental in bringing esports to the mainstream Indian gaming audience.
Vikram Passi, Head Marketing – Sports, Disney Star, stated, “Esports is rapidly emerging as a significant force, fuelled by India’s burgeoning gaming culture and its recognition on the global stage. The BGMI Masters’ Series, in just a few seasons, has firmly established itself as a premier tournament in India, demonstrating the immense potential for world-class Esports competitions. With the upcoming Esports World Cup broadcast, we aim to expand our audience base, energize the gaming community, and foster greater acceptance of Esports among non-gamers. This event will not only captivate dedicated Esports enthusiasts but also engage a younger demographic across our platforms, driving a broader appreciation for the competitive gaming landscape.”
Ralf Reichert, CEO Esports World Cup Foundation, said “Our partnership with Star Sports brings the Esports World Cup to India’s massive and passionate gaming audience. Having witnessed this firsthand, I’m thrilled to nurture India’s growing esports scene and inspire future champions. With the world’s best competing in Riyadh, we hope to spark a new wave of esports fandom in India, and maybe even see an Indian team claim victory.”
The EWC will offer the largest prize pool in esports and feature the most popular esports titles across all major gaming genres. It will welcome a new cross-game competition format, awarding prizes for individual game titles and club performances. This will be a first ever Esports World Cup with a prize pool of more than $60 million (INR 500 crore)
The eight games to be broadcasted on Star Sports Network are Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, and PUBG Battlegrounds .
Specific highlights include:
- Opening Broadcast: Week 1 July 3rd at 10 PM on SS First and SS YT Channel with Call of Duty: Warzone in Hindi.
- Weekly Schedule: From Week 3, starting July 18, EWC will be broadcast at 9 PM on SS2 and SS First along with SS YT Channel
- Hindi Commentary: Call of Duty: Warzone (Week 1) and Counter-Strike 2 (Week 3) will be shown with Hindi commentary on SS First along with and SS YT Channel
The Esports World Cup broadcast on the Star Sports Network will further solidify esports as one of the fastest-growing sports in India, bringing the best of global esports action to India. The Esports World Cup Foundation is pleased to share Star Sports’ vision in bringing esports to a broader audience as they continue to pave the way for the future of competitive gaming in India
The post STAR SPORTS NETWORK ACQUIRES BROADCASTING RIGHTS FOR ESPORTS WORLD CUP 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Global energy brand extends relationship with one of the world’s largest gaming festivals
The Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) and Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, announced a strategic partnership that will see Aramco extend its sponsorship of the Esports World Cup, set to take place this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As the official title partner of the Aramco SIM Arena, Aramco will present a high-end simulator zone where racing enthusiasts can compete in community tournaments at the Esports World Cup Festival. The Aramco SIM Arena, offering hyper-realistic simulators that provide an experience akin to driving an F1 car, will be a premier destination for sim-racing fans. This partnership builds on Aramco’s previous successful sponsorships of Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes festival.
Aramco’s involvement with the Esports World Cup is part of a broader ambition to promote economic development and diversification, provide new opportunities for young people in the country, deliver critical STEM skills, and help build a diverse and dynamic Saudi economy.
The partnership between Aramco and the Esports World Cup is set to create a lasting, positive impact on the world of esports. As the festival approaches, both parties look forward to showcasing Saudi talent on the global stage and inspiring today’s youth through the power of gaming and esports.
Starting July 3, 2024, the EWCF will transform Riyadh into the epicenter of esports fandom and gaming culture, with an eight-week festival. The event will feature gaming activations, community tournaments, pop culture celebrations, international experiences and more. Fans can watch their favorite athletes and clubs compete in 21-game championships for a share of more than $60 million in prize money, the largest in esports history.
The post Esports World Cup and Aramco Announce Strategic Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Kambi Group plc agrees long-term sportsbook partnership extension with Sun International
Continent 8 Technologies launches new managed services as part of the exclusive AWS Solution Provider Program
NASCAR unveils first step into the Fortnite ecosystem with custom Rocket Racing tracks inspired by its iconic events and venues
Industry Leaders Voice Strong Backing for SBC Summit Americas in Fort Lauderdale
ACR POKER GETTING PLAYERS WARMED UP FOR DUAL VENOM TOURNEYS WITH $1 MILLION GUARANTEED VENOM WARMUP
Digitain Appoints LatAm Sales Director
Yggdrasil and ReelPlay unleash hell on earth in Armageddon 10K WAYS™
Borgata Awards Over $3 Million in Jackpots on AGS’ Bonus Spin™ Xtreme Progressive In One Year
Abios, part of the Kambi Group, partners with Brazilian operator Rei do Pitaco for fantasy esoccer
Games Global launches Garden of the Gods Gold Blitz™ exclusively with Caesars Digital in three North American jurisdictions
-
gaming2 years agoODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory7 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News6 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News5 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry6 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News5 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News6 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018
