IBC highlights focus on eSports

IBC is to highlight the growing world of eSports and the opportunities and challenges that it presents, looking at all aspects from media rights and sustainable commercial models to the technologies and services needed to support the rapid growth.

The event cited the statistic that the global eSports market was valued at US$700 million last year, and it is forecast to increase to over US$2 billion by 2023. The event organisers have also highlighted the growing importance of media rights as a revenue stream for eSports alongside sponsorship.

IBC will be hosting a number of focused activities around the show. In the conference, a session on Monday September 17 entitled eSports: How MTG’s eSports brands are shaping a hyper growth industry, BBC Radio 1 Gaming Reporter Julia Hardy will chair a 1:1 with eSports investor and industry executive Arnd Benninghoff, CEO of eSports and gaming group MTG. They will examine how the industry is challenging the traditional sports sector for the 18-25 demographic and discuss what the future holds for the best eSports partnerships, players and broadcasters.

Another session, eSports world domination: How to engage a global audience, also on September 17, looks at the popularity of viewing eSport tournaments online and how it has become a global mass market. A panel of eSports experts including Michiel Bakker, founding CEO of GINX Esports TV, the world’s largest international eSports television channel; Christopher Mead, senior director of [artnerships, EMEA of Twitch, and Tanya Laird, technology ambassador for MTG-backed eSports organiser and production outfit ESL UK, will reveal what broadcasters can learn from eSports, from engaging fans around the globe, to capturing young male viewers, and making money.

Also at IBC EVS on stand 8.B90 will provide a live eSports competition, in partnership with ESL. Two ESL One Championship players will compete live in a game of Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). While around them, demonstrations will show how ESL uses EVS technology for live switching, replay production and fast turnaround content output in order to output engaging live content to multiple online platforms.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in the IBC eSports Racing challenge on Stand B03 in the Outdoor Exhibition area, complete with a full ‘Project Cars 2’ simulator, allowing visitors, delegates and exhibitors to test their skills and compete for special prizes over the week.