Archon eSports

Introduction

This is the research page for my 3rd year FYP project it will chronicle the research I use to put together the project.

To the left is the first ever thumb that i used for the various social networking platforms to promote my business.

Plan

I aim to make a site home to video commentaries on games, tactic videos, leader board videos, various journalistic videos (such as going to events). I will also build a community function into the site with forums and comment functionality. That again is something that a website of this nature is missing.

I will use advertising and merchandising the create a profit from this venture, also I will get a firm grasp on all popular forms of social media, in order to bring viewers to the website, and ultimately increase advertising revenue.

A little about the subject of eSports

eSports is a brand new form of competitive play in the worlds now largest industry, the games industry. Although not technically sport (as sport is defined by physical activity) it holds all of the morals and competitive nature, also one must be of an extremely high calibre mentally to play professionally.

eSports has been around in one form or another for the better part of two decades now, originating in Asia and spreading its reach extremely quickly since the mid 00's. MLG the world’s biggest eSports content providers consistently beats the viewing figures of major television channels such as FX, MTV and Comedy Central.

See image from MLG below that catalogues their success in a previous event.Below figures collected by the Nielsen Rating system.

What gaming genres are generally covered?

RTS (Real Time Strategy) See Starcraft 2 Warcraft 3 End of nations

MOBA (Massive Online Battle Arena) See League of legends DOTA2 and HON

FPS (First Person Shooter) See Call of Duty, Medal of Honor Battlefield 3

MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) See Guild Wars 2 and World of Warcraft.

What platforms are these games usually on?

Mostly The pro gaming circuit at the moment tends to focus on PC gaming as it is generally considered that there is more skill required to play RTS and MOBA than FPS (FPS being far more prominent in the console world).

Where and how are events usually held?

Events are usually held in large international centres, some of the events that I have been to whilst doing this project have been the very same apart from the Starcraft2 WCS UK Finals that took place at BAFTA in London.

These events often take form of what is known as a LAN party where many gamers from all over a large area will get together to enjoy their hobbies together, of course there is definitely a competitive edge to most events as well with cast prizes in tournaments, generally ranging from but not limited to $100 to $100.000.

There are several professional gaming teams that exist across the world; here is a short list of just some.

Team EG

Team Liquid

Quantic Gaming

BLAST Gaming

Slayers

OGS

Millennium

Team Dignitas

Fluid Gaming