Esports competitions are establishing a digital splash in the events sector, bringing in close to $1 billion globally and showing no signs of slowing down. Hosting an esports tournament is a great way to grow your business and break into a cutting-edge market since large-scale event bookings are already down for 2021. Esports competitions can last from a few hours to several days, and they are heavily reliant on technology, so choosing the right venue is crucial in this event industry. For your next event to be gamer ready, read on to learn about crucial venue requirements for esports.
6 essential esports venue requirements for a successful gaming event:
- Extra space
The era of two teams of five players each congregating in a room to engage in video game combat is long gone. The venue needs to be big enough to hold a crowd because some of the biggest esports live events saw attendance levels of more than 100,000 people. Nobody wants a spectator invading their personal space during tense moments of play, so a small venue will make the players feel uneasy.
On the other hand, selecting a location that is too big for your esports competition can present its own set of challenges. There will be frustration in the crowd as spectators struggle to see the action. (Or even worse, monotony.) Attendees may leave if they don’t feel close to the “live” action.
Common esports venue types that can accommodate players of different sizes:
- Venues specifically for esports
- Film theatres
- Conventional buildings
- Small arenas
- Dedicated sports arenas
- Shopping centres
New, renovated, and newly built specialised facilities are springing up all over. The largest dedicated esports venue in North America, Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is open for events. Additionally, many movie theatres are being transformed into esports venues.
- An area that is central
You are aware that one of the key determinants of event attendance is the venue’s location. Avoid choosing an off-the-beaten-track location. Since many of your participants and spectators likely lack driving privileges, they will depend on parent drop-offs or public transportation. Some parents might even be hesitant to transport their children to a distant location, let alone leave them there for a competition that lasts all day.
Older gamers are more likely to attend events in or near large cities or popular tourist destinations, where they can use the occasion as an excuse to take a vacation. No matter the size of your crowd, pick a venue that is accessible by public transportation and offers plenty of free parking for guests who must leave their cars for extended periods of time.
- The required authorization
The same copyright regulations that apply to other audio-visual works also apply to video games. Publishers and creators have the right to consent to (or object to) the use of their games in open competitions. However, due to the events’ rising popularity, the majority of publishers now sell licences to esports tournament organisers and outside leagues; after all, it’s a way for them to make money and promote their games. Contact the software provider well in advance to inform them of the event and confirm you have the necessary authorizations to play the games. This will help ensure a smooth tournament day.
- Gamer-friendly technology and assistance
Unsurprisingly, having a reliable and stable power system as well as a backup plan in case the power goes out is one of the most important requirements for your esports venue. There will be a tremendous amount of electrical equipment that you must set up. Additionally, the power supply could be used by hundreds of visitors to charge their computers. Imagine a movie theatre that has been converted into an esports arena. To allow for player plug-ins, the space must support power strips along each row.
The last thing you need is 1,000 spectators and participants waiting around while the power is out. If the venue has an A/V person—a plus when choosing a location—talk to them in advance about your requirements and worries. Additionally, you must ensure that the technology encourages social interaction. This could entail a single large screen where participants’ laptop games would stream. Or huge screens for professional gamer esports competitions. Attendees will choose to skip the event the next time if there is no clear view of the live gameplay.
- Having a strong Internet connection
Although it falls under “game-ready technology,” the following merits special mention: There must be high-speed broadband internet at your venue. The broadband connection needs to be strong enough to support the large number of players playing at once in one location.
Slow connections will not only annoy the players, but they will also quickly lose the interest of viewers, both live viewers and those watching at home on Twitch or YouTube. This will quickly damage your reputation. Never undervalue the negative buzz that devoted gamers will create if they are unable to watch or stream their favourite event.
- A setup intended for users and observers
While some esports competitions feature amateur players, others attract top players and resemble important team sporting events. The check-in area needs to be roomy enough to accommodate everyone. Streamline attendee arrivals by using an event check-in app, and make sure staff is present to guide the crowd and assist with any technical difficulties.
Your venue must be adaptable enough to accommodate seating for both team configurations and individual players inside the main playing area. This probably entails modifying the seating arrangements for players or including risers and stages in your event layout.
Additionally, you’ll need plenty of spectator seating and a seating arrangement that prioritises clear views. You can design layouts that fit any space, but auditorium and theatre seating are ideal for esports. Don’t forget to reserve seats so that players who have been eliminated from tournament-style events can watch the rest of the game.
Massive LED screens and digital leaderboards will be present in specialised esports venues so that everyone can see the action and the score. If not, make sure there is enough room at the location. To avoid any surprises, plan a site visit with your A/V provider.
The layout can be made using your event planning software. Keep in mind to clear pathways to high-traffic areas like food and beverage, restrooms, and game sign-up desks and to keep game play areas free of visitors. You and your group can identify sightline issues with the aid of a 3D walkthrough.
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