Self-study|IT|Int|Lesson 12: E-sports

I record the outcome of matches, make sure that the players are sticking to the rules, and hand out penalties if any are broken. I often have to communicate with teams to settle any disputes, keep track of the tournament brackets and offer support to the community where needed. During live events, for example, LAN finals, I usually keep an eye on the teams, monitor matches, and make sure all rules are adhered to, for example, that the players are wearing the correct noise-cancelling headsets, and that no foul play is going on. I am responsible for dealing with any in-game or on-stage issues, for example, if a PC freezes or a keyboard breaks mid-tournament.

My duty is to speak over the action to inform and entertain the viewer. I need good knowledge of the game and teams, to offer personality and bring a match to life. I usually sit at a desk unlike a stage host who acts as a presenter of a tournament, introduces teams, and may be required to interview players and other experts, like a TV presenter. I enjoy what I do, though my job is rather demanding. I am often on the road for months at a time, depending on which tournaments are running and when.

I am the one who controls the in-game camera for e-sports broadcasts. I make sure the camera is highlighting the most interesting aspects of the match. I work within the production team behind the scenes, liaising closely with the casters and the broadcast crew. I sometimes edit footage, so I am quite active on social media to stay updated with developments. My job is great because I have an opportunity to go to events and sit in a quasi-role between talent and production and I get the best of both worlds.

I am responsible for ensuring a particular tournament or e-sports event is a success. My role is similar to a project manager but is obviously purely focused on putting together a great event or series of events. It’s an incredibly varied role – as I need to liaise with many different teams, from production to external partners and stakeholders, venue management, marketing and sales to name a few. I also have to come up with new ideas, solutions and ways of making the show work, even when faced with challenges and directions.

• revenue — company income
• to exceed — to go beyond a stated limit
• endemic brands — companies that create products used in the production or playing of e-sports, such as software and computer component manufacturers
• non-endemic brands — companies that create products that are not vital to the production or playing of e-sports, e.g. Coca-Cola or Geico

What is e-sports? And, more importantly, should it become an Olympic event? Well, we have an answer from the President of the International Olympic Committee himself, and Thomas Bach says it’s too soon to tell. Bach admits that physical activity in competitive gaming is, in some areas, comparable to traditional sports and that e-sports is big competition for the sports industry, especially when it comes to attracting younger audiences. On the other hand, the IOC has issues with the violence in a lot of the games, which doesn’t really represent Olympic values. Plus, the popularity of games changes so quickly, it would be hard to nail one down for an event. Not to mention maintaining consistency for developing athletes every four years. And for those reasons, Bach says there needs to be more research and more discussion to figure out whether e-gaming can be considered an Olympic sport. It’s an interesting debate because the e-sports industry is continuing to explode. Back in 2013, the U.S. Government even recognized League of Legend players as pro athletes, so international players could get working visas to compete there. And the prize money you win at an e-sports competition is comparable to traditional sports, and in many cases, surpasses them. Some e-sport athletes take home millions of dollars a year. Not to mention the industry is expected to generate over a billion dollars by 2020. What do you think about e-sports becoming an Olympic event? Is it too soon to tell? Comment below.

• first-person shooters (FPS)
• real-time strategy (RTS) games
• multiplayer online battle arena
• (MOBA) games
• to adhere to
• to keep track of
• to settle disputes
• to be on the road
• to liaise with somebody
• to launch
• revenue
• to exceed
• endemic brands
• non-endemic brands
• a venue
• non-digital sports
• team-based sports
• to culminate in
• to be dubbed
• fast-paced
• to blend
• a prize pool
• annual
• head-to-head