The rise of esports has brought the world a new sport that is rapidly growing and becoming a significant part of the global economy. As the e-sports industry grows and expands, it is essential to understand the most popular e-sports competitions and games.
South Korea became a hub of esports.
South Korea has become a hub of esports in Asia. This results from the government’s support for gaming, the popularity of StarCraft and StarCraft 2, and the availability of affordable gaming PCs. The South Korean esports industry is expected to continue growing.
Esports is a rapidly growing industry supported by broadcast revenues and millions of fans participating. It started as a small competition between amateur players and has evolved into several leagues for licensed professional gamers.
South Korea started developing its esports industry as early as the late 1990s, and the game Starcraft was the launching point. After the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the government invested in internet infrastructure. In the early 2000s, internet speed increased, and PCs became more affordable.
The event was a significant success when the first World Cyber Games were held in Seoul in 2000. It brought together tens of thousands of esports fans and pro gamers.
Eventually, the South Korean government decided to take a more active role in gaming. KeSPA, a government-backed organization, was instrumental in helping esports grow in the country. Similarly, the country’s gaming scene was bolstered by large technology conglomerates. NCSOFT Corp., Hybe, and Netmarble purchased shares in the entertainment industry.
Esports has continued to grow in popularity and has become a career choice for many. Several South Koreans have become world-famous esports players.
Esports programs are sprouting up at colleges across the country.
Several colleges across the nation are launching esports programs. Getting involved with an esports program is a great way to gain experience and compete against others. It’s also a way to learn essential skills and prepare for a career in gaming.
Esports is a growing industry. According to Statista, it is expected to reach over $950 million by 2020. The market is expected to grow to $1.6 billion by 2023. There is a wide range of financial aid available.
There are at least 170 college and university varsity esports programs in the United States. Each school is unique, but most offer students scholarships and other financial aid. Some universities also offer an entire ride athletic scholarship.
One college that’s offering an esports scholarship is Texas Wesleyan University. Their esports team will compete in League of Legends and Hearthstone.
Another college that offers scholarships is Harrisburg University. They’re one of the first universities in the country to offer an undergraduate esports program. Students can earn $2,000 in esports scholarships.
Wake Tech has a 14-seat esports arena on its Southern Wake Campus. Students will be able to play a variety of games, including League of Legends, Overwatch, and Hearthstone. This program is also a part of the NACE (National Association of Collegiate Esports), a nonprofit membership association that organizes competitive tournaments and educates students about esports.
Saint Joseph’s University is another college that’s preparing its students for the esports industry. This school is located near Philadelphia, a growing national hub for esports.
Media rights will be a crucial growth driver in esports.
The global esports industry is increasing. As consumers become more engaged in competitive video games, brands and media outlets are paying attention to the industry. It is estimated that by 2022, the global esports audience will grow by nearly 45%.
In a report from PWC, eSports revenue is projected to reach $516 million in the U.S. by 2023. With an increasing fan base, esports organizations are exploring new strategies for revenue generation. One of the most important sources is sponsorship. This allows brands to connect directly with potential customers.
Esports organizations also leverage their digital and streaming revenue to expand their brand exposure. For example, Team Liquid and Cloud 9 have launched subscription packages. These subscriptions include exclusive content and access to the organization’s leadership. They also sell merchandise to fans.
Esports companies are also expanding their hospitality offerings. These packages are designed to give their teams an edge over the competition. Their leaders can offer private seminars to members. They can even sell tickets to matches.
Streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube are helping drive growth in the esports market. Streamers have been recording record viewership and engagement.
The most significant opportunities in the esports ecosystem are in the Asia Pacific. This region is expected to lead the market during the forecast period. Several leading companies are pursuing a foothold in the esports industry. Moreover, the emergence of mobile gaming has boosted the industry.
Digital advertising in the United States generated a revenue of $175 million in 2019
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PwC released their IAB Internet Advertising Revenue Report: Full Year 2021. It is based on corporate data from companies selling internet advertising.
Digital advertising will account for almost half of the U.S. ad market in 2020. In addition, digital media is expected to take over as the dominant ad medium in several countries. By 2025, digital will account for approximately 566 billion U.S. dollars in ad spend.
Digital media will account for nearly half of the global ad market by 2021. “Pure play” digital media is forecast to grow by a whopping 17%.
Search is projected to be the largest digital platform by volume in 2021. It is also expected to be among the most effective platforms for reaching consumers. While search revenue is expected to grow slower than in previous years, the search sector is expected to account for a quarter of all ad dollars.
In addition to search, the television segment is expected to experience strong ad spending growth. Network ad spending is estimated to increase by $19 billion in 2021. Television ads will account for approximately one-fifth of all ad dollars in 2021.
Advertising will continue to be a critical source of revenue for news media. Although ad revenues for legacy newspapers and magazines will drop in 2022, digital will remain the dominant ad medium.
Platforms and infrastructure for esports
The need for solid infrastructure is becoming more critical as the esports industry continues to gain traction. Infrastructure includes the technology to connect fans to their favourite teams and players and the hardware, software and data centre that help power it all. The right solutions can help prevent cheating, hacks and interference with gameplay while providing a streamlined and unified experience.
The best infrastructure solutions are those that can address the specific needs of the esports industry. These solutions often include on-premises to map the technology infrastructure and ensure the necessary security measures are in place.
Real-time technology is a significant contributor to the growth of the esports industry. Many games require large groups of players to be played back in milliseconds. This is possible thanks to technologies such as real-time engines. Using a real-time engine to run game logic, physics, and other specialized applications can solve major technical hurdles.
Some popular esports games are multiplayer online battle arenas and real-time strategy games. These games use a game engine and a series of maps to allow the players to build armies and take on the opposing team.
Virtual reality is another emerging trend in the esports industry. Although it may not see widespread adoption in the near future, it is still being developed for esports audiences. EVE Valkyrie was designed with V.R. in mind.
eSports Arena opens in Santa Ana, CA
Esports Arena will open in downtown Santa Ana, California, this spring. It is the nation’s first large-scale e-sports venue. This is an important development for video game fans.
The arena will have a capacity of 1,000 people. The main stage is programmable and can be used for various events. A fifteen-meter high LED screen will provide a high-resolution visual presentation.
The eSports Arena also has a mezzanine that can hold up to 64 Xboxes. It also features a video production studio.
Esports Arena is supported by some of the biggest names in esports. Blizzard Entertainment, for example, has posted high attendance numbers and has been invited to the venue. Another company, Ourgame International Holdings Ltd., is a significant shareholder.
Allied Esports, the owner of Esports Arena, plans to build several more venues in North America. It also plans to expand its European market.
The eSports Arena was initially planned to be located in Irvine. But finding a landlord who shared the company’s vision took time. After three years of planning, the project finally received funding.
Esports Arena has grown to 19 locations across the country. A Chinese company, Allied eSports, backs it. And its goal is to have 10 arenas by 2020.
Esports Arena will broadcast competitions and live-stream them. The company announced that it would host a Hearthstone tournament at the arena this weekend. There will be a $25,000 prize purse.
