41 ROUND TABLE Esports Arenas THISMONTH’S FEED ROUND TABLE GUESTS ARE:
FEED: WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS IN BUILDING A DEDICATED ESPORTS ARENA? WOULD IT BE JUST AS GOOD TO USE AN EXISTING INDOOR SPORTS VENUE OR AUDITORIUM?
CHARLES CONROY, VICE-PRESIDENT OF GAMING, THE SWITCH Charles Conroy is the vice-president of gaming at live video production and delivery company The Switch. Conroy is helping to lead The Switch’s global expansion into gaming and esports and bring the company’s transmission and production services business into the world of competitive gaming.
CHARLES CONROY: As consumer demand for live gaming continues to explode, there is a growing need for high- tech venues, and it is more important than ever for new esports arenas to be purpose-built. Esports arenas are far more sophisticated than a conference centre or auditorium in that they encompass an incredible array of technology, such as dedicated high- speed connectivity and advanced filming and production equipment. By having an esports-branded venue, tournaments will be attracted to your area, ultimately leading to a boost in the younger demographic found in esports. Furthermore, while esports will bring in major audiences, there are other events outside of esports that could occupy such a state-of-the-art venue, such as concerts, comedy shows and keynote speakers. For a town or city that doesn’t already have a venue that can accommodate up to around 5000 people, esports is a great reason to build one.
JAMES DEAN: There are very many specific requirements for esports events, mainly around the infrastructure. But there’s no reason the space itself can’t be multi-use. Esports is simply a very good example of the way in which younger and future audiences will want to engage and experience events and content. Many existing arenas have not considered the vast developments in technology, which allow for user interactivity both on-site and online, during live events. ANNA LOCKWOOD: Esports events can be held (almost) anywhere, and streamed from (almost) anywhere! The last few years have seen major esports events being broadcast from iconic sports venues including the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, O2 Arena in London, and Olympic Park in Melbourne. We have also seen the start of dedicated esports venues such as the Gfinity Arena in London, HyperX Arena at the Luxor in Las Vegas and Fortress in Melbourne. And there are new arenas being built from the ground up to accommodate both sports and esports, such as the Yas Arena in the UAE. Dedicated esports venues will have different requirements and characteristics compared with other sports venues. A purpose-built arena needs to be designed with a modular concept in mind, in order to be able to host and adapt to different types of tournaments and games, each of which may require its own set-up. Esports arenas need state-of-the-art connectivity with network infrastructure to run the tournaments and connect game servers and PCs, as well as powerful Wi-Fi to support high-density usage and infrastructure to the outside world where a multitude of matches, often simultaneously, need to be streamed and broadcast worldwide for many days in a row, for many hours a day. Finally, ancillary businesses and activities can be more successful in a venue purposely built for esports, featuring merchandise stores, PC accessories, game play areas and LAN lounges with PCs and consoles, and training and bootcamp centres for pro players.
JAMES DEAN, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE UK BRANCH OF ESL James Dean is the founder and managing director of the UK branch of ESL, the world’s biggest esports league. Dean was pivotal in turning UK esports into a national concern, building the ESL brand and community on a regional level.
ANNA LOCKWOOD, HEAD OF GLOBAL SALES, TELSTRA BROADCAST SERVICES
Anna Lockwood is head of global sales at Telstra Broadcast Services. She leads an international team that works at the convergence of traditional broadcast and leading- edge telecommunications and digital platforms. Lockwood is also a board member of the EGAA (Esports Games Association Australia).
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