Why You Should Consider the eSports Market

Get in the Game

The eSports industry has seen tremendous growth over the years, both in terms of viewership and revenue, with billions of pounds being invested into the biggest and largest eSports arenas, gyms, leisure centres and even custom-built eSports hotels.

It is exploding and spilling Pro AV opportunities everywhere, with many businesses investing in high-quality 4K monitors, consumer TVs and gaming equipment to enhance the gaming experience for all. Many global investors, brands, media outlets and consumers are all paying attention to the growing eSports market and the opportunities it provides to all those involved.

As the eSports world has exploded, so has the scale and demand of productions supporting this industry. Here are some reasons you should be considering the eSports market for your customers following the latest data and insights from the Global Web Index Gaming Report 2021.

1. It was unphased by the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Expenditure can reach £1million per event
3. The technology is already there
4. 40% of eSports followers consider gaming as a legitimate pastime sport
5. 44% of Gen X and 46% of boomers who are eSports followers watch it online and is amplified by TV viewership

What is eSports?

The eSports industry can be defined as being professional or semi-professional competitive gaming in an organised format, like a tournament or league, with a specific goal or prize such as winning a championship title. However, there is now also a space for those who enjoy watching, following and live streaming eSports events, rather than participating in it themselves.

Amateur gamers between the ages of 18-35 years are known for participating in major eSports tournaments and events due to the appeal of the awards and prize money opportunities available to them.

As a step up from those who game at home on occasions and as a side hobby, amateur gamers are more invested in playing games full-time and making it into a profession. As the sports and competitions continue to grow, so does the profile of the gamers who participate.

eSports Viewership is Growing

eSports is fast becoming a central hub for professional gamers, sponsors, organisers, and brands to get together and reap the benefits of delivering exceptional live experiences to fans and has remained unphased by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whilst events all around the globe were being cancelled, and corporate sponsorships were being pulled, the eSports industry was booming. People were required to spend time at home during the lockdown and so turned to livestreaming as a way to pass the time.

Newzoo, the most trusted source for games and eSports analytics and market analytics, expects growth to continue through 2021 “with a 8.7% year-on-year growth, ending the year with 240 million occasional viewers and 234 million eSports enthusiasts, a total eSports audience of 474 million.”

The increasing audience reach and engagement activities, rising live streaming of games, and increasing infrastructure for the league tournaments are key factors driving the market growth and is therefore providing lucrative opportunities for game developers, gamers, influencers, and event organisers.

Another indication of how popular eSports is now, is that there has been a significant increase in those who watch live streams on popular streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. More and more gamers are participating in the events and tournaments, and more viewers are tuning in with a year-on-year increase of almost 30%.

Spend can reach £1million per event

This industry is inclusive of all technology, players invest in the most premium of gaming technology, from gaming PCs and monitors to mice, keyboards, headphones, and microphones to help them deliver a heightened experience.

Expenditure on pro video and AV equipment for each event can reach up to a total of £1million. Revenue through eSports is generated through a number of avenues including sponsorship and advertising which is designed to cater to viewers and players all over the world.

Every step at these events is digital- from interactive displays for visitors to sign in, to digital signage around the stadium and large videowalls and LED displays to watch gameplay on.

It’s not just events and broadcast where this industry provides a pool for Pro-AV investment. The average gaming PC can cost over £1500. These PCs are increasingly being installed into eSports gyms in schools and academies around the UK, whereas private eSports training facilities invest in nothing but the best for their gyms. Only top tier gaming PCs, monitors, cables, headsets and accessories can be found in private training facilities.

The complete eSports solution is expansive, from an eSports athletes’ individual needs to gyms and custom arena builds, eSports touches a wide range of technology including high-end monitors, external hard drives, keyboards, computer mice, LFD, interactive displays, LED, switchers, AV over IP and so much more.

The technology is already there, and you probably already stock it

Although eSports only reached the mainstream comparatively recently, from a technological perspective it’s relatively mature. Today’s eSports industry is driven by technology and can make or break an eSports venue or lab. There are several areas to consider, including security, data centre, connectivity, cloud computing, digital signage, and cabling solutions. Many eSports tournaments are broadcast via streaming platforms such as Twitch and Stream which require a stable and reliable network connection and high-definition screen with detailed graphics. While in the centre arena, there will be the need for high-spec gaming laptops or PCs which offer enhanced capacity during competitions.

Monitors and digital signage bring the visual experience to life and are critical for delivering the visual interface that enables strong gameplay. A state-of-the-art monitor will have the graphics, size, and refresh capabilities to offer a unique visual experience during the live event. Technology therefore works hand in hand to ensure that the events run smoothly and that all parties are satisfied with the results.

A lot of the technology used in the eSports industry is already used in other environments. For example, a school’s computer lab is a simplistic version of a ‘pro-gamer training facility’. The most similar set up to a gaming centre can be found in a control room. Both environments require image uniformity and displays must be able to show high-quality live content.  

If you would like to find out more about our eSports offering, contact your account manager or request a call back.