The world of esports continues to evolve rapidly and 2023 is no exception. This year, the industry has witnessed groundbreaking developments that will change the esports business landscape and redefine how we consume content in the future.
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Now, let’s look at the four exciting esport developments in 2023.
Virtual reality has been flirting with mainstream success for several years but Sony’s latest patent might have just landed them a killer app in the world of esports.
In a patent application described as “scaled VR engagement and views in an esports event,” Sony is aiming to allow PS VR2 owners to watch esports events in a customizable way. If approved, users will be able to watch events from different angles, listen to their preferred commentator and get additional information a la augmented reality.
Although it’s currently unknown whether Sony will allow users a free-roaming ability when watching events, it’s still a significant step toward VR engagement. Such immersion could revolutionize esports viewership, providing fans with a dynamic, up-close and personal experience.
Germany is already a promising country for fostering esports teams but this European country wants to take things a step further. In a move that could have significant implications for the esports landscape in Europe, Germany is considering classifying esports teams as nonprofit organizations.
According to a report published by the German Games Industry Association, classifying esports teams as nonprofit organizations will promote the valuable work of esports clubs instead of putting them at a disadvantage. The classification will also open doors for grassroots initiatives, as more funds for training and infrastructure would be available.
The most significant effect would be the inspiration it would foster among other European countries, thus paving the way for a more unified and structured esports ecosystem.
2023 marks the inauguration of the ESI Film Festival, the world’s first event dedicated to short films about esports and gaming. It will take place on the evening of October 20, as part of Esports Insider’s ESI London event.
Esports narratives have always been a part of the community but with a dedicated film festival, creators now have a global platform to share their stories. The festival aims to showcase narratives describing how esports influenced players’ lives, highlighting drama, passion and dedication.
Interested filmmakers can enter the film festival for a chance to win a portion of the £10,000 ($12,700) prize pool. The first-place winner gets £5,000 ($6,300), second place gets £3,000 ($3,800) and third place takes £2,000 ($2,500). Entrants have until September 15 to submit their entries that cover diversity, digital inequality and mental health.
Esports events selling out arenas is not a new phenomenon but what’s noteworthy in 2023 is the scale and location. The renowned Paris La Défense Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe with a massive 40,000-seat capacity, is poised to hold a sold-out event organized by Karmine Corp: the KCX3.
Set to take place on September 16, Karmine Corp initially wanted to host an event for 25,000 to 28,000 people. Their KCX event this year will certainly trump last year’s event, which only saw a turnout of 12,000 people. And it seems that KCX3 is on track to surpass the magic 25,000 number after ticket sales reached that number within the first week. With still a month to go before the event, it’s possible that they’ll reach or even exceed their 28,000 goal.
Such massive numbers underscore the immense popularity and mainstream acceptance of esports. The event’s success could set a precedent for other teams worldwide, proving that with the proper marketing, engagement strategies and a dedicated fan base, even local esports teams can aspire to fill seats in such large arenas.
The year may be in its latter half but that doesn’t mean the esports world must slow down. If anything, the industry is continuing its swift, upwards trajectory. From immersive VR experiences to landmark legislative considerations, esports continues to break barriers and redefine entertainment in the 21st century.
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