Satisfying the demands of esports players and their spectators is difficult, but even this is sometimes not enough in order to create a successful training and performance spot.
The estimated income of the global esports market is nearing $1 billion a year, and the total number of competition viewers is gradually approaching 10-digit numbers. Esports are rapidly gaining momentum and analysts predict further growth, which means that investments in tournaments and venues look more and more attractive. No one will be surprised if we see esports at the Olympics soon. But creating an esports space that will actually generate income is much more difficult than building a classic stadium.
A successful arena must include good technology, be highly transformable, take into account the behavior of esports fans, and be suitable for a variety of events. Multifunctionality and mobility are the main keys to the success of creating an ideal spot for esports. In this sense, esports arenas are no different from classic sports arenas, especially indoor spaces. Capacity is usually similar to that of an indoor ice hockey stadium. Also, it’s important to know that 69% of major tournament revenue comes from sponsorships and advertising.
The advantage of esports is the absence of traditional seasonality. Competitions are held year-round, and this opens up interesting opportunities for universal halls that are experiencing a shortage of events.
Creating unparalleled experiences
Esports typology is a very difficult task for venue organizers, as there are many disciplines that differ in stage requirements and the interaction of participants. Because esports games are becoming more and more varied, an arena should be able to easily change themes. It is not so easy, say, to change the design of the site and the stands from the theme of a Pubg game to League of Legends, because these are games of completely different genres.
The main challenge for the organizers of esports competitions is to convince the audience to come. They need to create an unparalleled experience for fans to leave their cozy j&m furniture sofa, where they have everything they need to enjoy watching: a screen and a refrigerator full of snacks. That is, one needs to organize an atmosphere in which the audience, and especially esports fans, will be enthusiastic to watch the match or cheer for their favorite team.
FETC 2023
The Future of Education Technology® Conference takes place live and in-person Jan. 23-26, 2023, in New Orleans. Register now!
A separate place in the world of esports is occupied by team coaches. For a long time, there has been an opinion that an esports coach needs to have a very deep knowledge of the game in order to be effective. This is partly true. Still, one doesn’t have to be very good at it. Any player who has already finished his pro-gaming career can immediately start coaching.
For this reason, candidates must first be trained in order to receive experience in different directions. Since esports players play games that can be compared to chess in complexity, the coach will need the most comprehensive knowledge. Psychology is also important here. Professional players make their careers by honing their skills in a particular role, be it race, style, or team position. Thus, their knowledge is limited to a certain niche. If the knowledge of the coach does not meet the current task, problems arise.
Achieving international stardom
In any case, all esports games require roughly the same things—spot for training, where e-sportsmen will feel calm and comfortable in order to unlock the potential of each individual player. As a rule, the team includes 5 players, 1-2 substitutes, a coach, and various managers. There may be only one manager, but he has great obligations: to organize and promote his team to various esports tournaments, closely follow esports news and other events, and possess the ability to negotiate.
More from DA: Esports remains the best vehicle to reach all K-12 students
How to create these conveniences? Any esports team needs to organize a training spot. It should include a lot: a game room with at least five gaming computers and chairs on wheels (all PCs must be powerful enough for the complete comfort of team members). At the team training spot, players will need a place to sleep, eat, shower, etc., as well as a place where the full team would gather and discuss game tactics for further victory. Such a spot can be arranged anywhere, depending on the available funds. It shouldn’t specifically take up much space.
For example, the well-known Russian esports team for Dota 2, the current world champion in this game, is now based not in Russia but in Serbia. The same goes for the rest of the teams. Moreover, they have only one manager, one coach and one substitute player. This is quite enough for them to win the champions trophy at an international competition.
As it becomes clear, esports teams do not need much to become famous all over the world. The main thing is desire and discipline—and a good little spot for training.
