From mainstream scepticism to a place in the Olympics: it’s time to rethink your views on esports
Esports is big, and it's getting bigger. Which is why it’s a major theme of Jisc’s 50th annual Networkshop event (8-10 June) at Nottingham Trent University’s new ConfettiX esports venue.
Most people’s response to the question of esports seems to be, “What?”
When it’s mentioned in connection with education, the usual question is, “Why?”
And when it comes to including esports in the next Olympics, frankly, the most common reaction is disbelief.
It’s a divisive topic, but one thing is certain: esports is big, and it’s getting bigger. It's here to stay.
What is esports?
Basically, it’s competitive, organised, multi-player video gaming. Competitors from different leagues or teams face off in the same games popular with at-home gamers – Fortnite, League of Legends, Call of Duty, Overwatch and Valorant, for example – for prizes worth millions of dollars.
These gamers are watched and followed by millions of fans all over the world who tune in on TV and online, or attend live-streamed events in person.
How fast is it growing?
The global esports market surpassed the $1billion mark in 2021, an almost 50% increase from the previous year. More than 500 million people watch esports around the world and viewership of top-tier games frequently outstrips that of physical sports. The Sangam Stadium in Seoul, for example, is a purpose-built 66,700-seat arena dedicated to esports.
Here in the UK, Wembley Stadium is already being used to host esports events with some 12,000 attendees, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College will open their own dedicated 5,000-seat esports arena in Bristol in 2023, and Abertay University will be launching a 4,000-seat arena at the Dundee Waterside in 2024.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will feature esports competitions as a pilot ahead of being a potential full medal event for 2026. At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, later this year, esports will feature in the main competition with 24 medals up for grabs.
The likelihood is that one day we will see esports in the Olympics, alongside curling and the triple jump.
The likelihood is that one day we will see esports in the Olympics, alongside curling and the triple jump.
All of which demonstrates how esports is inching closer to mainstream acceptance and shaping up to be the world’s biggest sport.
What does Jisc have to do with esports?
As the provider of Janet, one of the world’s most powerful networks, Jisc helps HE and FE institutions across the UK capitalise on the opportunities offered by esports. With high bandwidth, low latency and built-in security, Janet enables IT managers to handle the increased network traffic caused by students participating in esports – both inside and outside the curriculum.
IT teams at universities and colleges who are thinking about provisioning for the future should take advantage of Jisc’s expertise to ensure they are prepared for the effects of esports on their network.
What place does esports have in education?
Sitting at the intersection between technology, sports, entertainment and education, esports can act as a gateway to develop skills relevant for a wide range of careers and pathways. Already it is creating new job opportunities for graduates - not as players but as game designers, commentators, referees, coaches, recruiters, product managers and event managers, all of which are crucial to the industry.
Universities and colleges around the UK are building their own esports hubs and on-campus arena facilities to support the esports courses they offer, and to host various events related to competitive video gaming.
Esports degrees are offered at more than 20 UK universities currently, and the esports BTEC qualification is now being taught at more than 70 institutions, a huge jump from 15 in 2020, the qualification’s inaugural year. Universities and colleges around the UK are building their own esports hubs and on-campus arena facilities to support the esports courses they offer, and to host various events related to competitive video gaming.
One of these is the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, part of Nottingham Trent University, which offers a BSc (Hons) degree in esports production. Opening in August, ready for the new graduate intake, the ConfettiX complex is a space where students can access the very best facilities and technology for esports production and other emerging technologies. A 4,000 sq ft multi-event esports venue and content studio, ConfettiX offers a professional-standard studio facility designed for live transmission of multi-input competitive gaming tournaments with space for 100 audience members.
Find out more
Although ConfettiX will not open for students until term starts, you can see and experience it for yourself when Jisc holds its 50th Networkshop event there from June 8 to 10, 2022. Book your place at Networkshop50.
To share your views, you can join our esports in education discussion session, part of our Networkshop community fringe.
About the author
I am director of further education (FE), skills and training at Jisc. A key function of my role is to ensure Jisc meets the needs of providers within the FE and skills sector. I also lead the training team who provide Jisc's external training to members across all sectors, including higher education, further education and skills and research and our customers.
I work closely with funders, sector agencies and providers to ensure Jisc constantly understands the latest sector priorities and challenges. The intelligence I gather helps Jisc directorates plan and respond to the ever changing needs of our FE and skills members. In addition I ensure the training delivered by the training team is of a high quality and meets the changing needs of our members and customers.