Esports has not only broken through to the mainstream but has exploded onto the financial, cultural, and academic landscape. Although the vast majority of gamers use esports as a form of recreation, there are now professional esports tournaments worth enormous money. Consider Dota 2’s upcoming The International 10 (TI10), which has over $40 million in prize money with the winner earning a stunning $15,000,000!
Esports Meteoric Rise
Esports has been around for a decade or longer but the recent push for highly competitive teams, with big-name sponsorships and jaw-dropping prize money as a result of millions watching through streaming services and even conventional cable outlets, is a more recent phenomenon. And when something is generating lots of attention there are cottage industries to be spun off of its success which eventually trickles down to the world of academia.
And isn’t it ironic that the global pandemic crippled virtually all industries but actually helped esports thrive as there were few if any recreational alternatives during a time when people spent a year of their lives as shut-ins? And another offshoot of the staggering success of esports is the proliferation of interest in betting on the pros who play in these elite tournaments. Bettors are now looking at the best online sportsbooks hunting for the best lines on Fortnite, League of Legends, and many other esports showdowns.
And now institutions of higher learning, the training grounds in which students are taught about career choices that are appealing to them, have begun to embrace this flourishing industry. What could be more appealing to a late teen or 20-something than video games?
Well, the academic world has taken notice, and more resources are being committed to establishing a foundation for those who wish to explore a career in the esports/ video gaming industry. It is big business and it is not only the purview of those with computer science degrees seeking jobs as software developers or coding engineers. No, as the industry broadens there is a wide expanse for careers in management, event coordinating and planning, coaching, operations, sales, and directing social media campaigns.
Let’s hear from Mark Deppe, director of the University of California Irvine Esports, who said during the height of the pandemic, “COVID-19 has been both a challenge and a boon for esports. More people are playing video games and watching online content than ever before. The UCI teams have been able to compete in collegiate tournaments from home. With that said, all major live events were canceled, including the Overwatch League matches in March and April and the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational, which was originally scheduled for May. I think the sizzle of esports that comes with major live events is missing, but the community and broader ecosystem are thriving.”
University of Texas Among Growing Number of Universities Investing in Esports
Longhorn Gaming has just been named an official sponsored organization at the University of Texas, and they’re looking for a place to call home. “We would like to see Longhorn Gaming as the definitive place for any individual to come and play casual or competitive games,” said its president, Daniel Killough.
James Buckley, UT director of facilities and operations with University Unions, said, “There is a noticeable void of an esports space on campus. We envision 24 to 30 stations where players can compete and we will have a place people can watch. Once we get our space built, I think the interest and likelihood of that could grow as we work with our development office. In total, we have between 3,100-3,500 square feet that we see potentially being developed for esports space.”
The cost for the project is expected to be around $1.5 million but this is just one of many build-outs for esports facilities we are expecting to see in the coming years. Esports now has its own collegiate division called The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).
According to its website, “NACE is a member-driven organization that focuses on the positive development of esports programs at the collegiate level, and advocates for members to create varsity programs that include scholarships for its participants and a strong institutional commitment to the sport. NACE is the largest member association of college and university-sponsored esports programs that promotes the education and development of students through intercollegiate esports.”
There are now 151 colleges and universities associated with NACE and that number is expected to grow. Among those are esports academic institutions are leaders such as Merrimack College, Miami (Ohio), California-Irvine, the University of Texas at Dallas, University of Utah, University of Saint Mary, Western Kentucky University, and Wichita State University to name but a few. If you, or someone you know, is interested in pursuing a career in esports or joining a varsity program then the time is right, as you will have no shortage of options!