eSports on campus: A new era of competition and study

As the world traverses at warps speed through the wormhole of technological marvels, eSports on campus is gaining momentum.

This is according to Chris Buchanan, Client Solutions Director, Dell Technologies South Africa.

“This was not something many from the Pac Man generations saw coming. Much has changed in the past 20 years, yet the idea of organised, competitive video gaming is still a tough concept to grasp,” he said.

New era of technology

Buchanan said eSports on campus is an incredibly exciting opportunity in this new era of technology-rich sports and education in the now $200 billion gaming industry.

“Just look at the numbers. To say that eSports is gaining momentum would be an understatement. According to Statista, revenue generated by the gaming industry in South Africa is projected to reach R570 million in 2022 with an annual growth rate of 12.17%, resulting in a projected market volume of R8.3 billion by 2026.

“Competitors are also collecting sizable winnings, even at the student level. For example, South African students participating in the Global University Students Valorant tournament this year stood the chance to win R350 000 in prize money,” he said.

Mechanics of eSports

Buchanan adds that understanding the mechanics behind eSports on campus might provide insight into the industry.

“According to a pioneering scientific study of eSports athletes in Germany, top-tier young players are capable of up to 400 focused asymmetrical actions per minute – a level of strain and hand-eye co-ordination unseen by professionals in any other sport.

“The same study looked at the athletes’ release of the stress hormone cortisol during high-level competition, which was equivalent to that of a professional race-car driver, and player heart rate, which approached that of a marathon runner,” Buchanan said.

The academic component

Buchanan said at least 17 South African universities have joined the eSports community and its growing at an exponential rate.

Scholarships for students pursuing careers in game design and interactive entertainment are also available from a variety of funding sources.

The technology component

“An added advantage of these growing programmes is the exposure students receive to cutting-edge technologies. Students are able to experience high-performance and data-intensive gaming systems – including Alienware computers, hyper wall displays, live streaming and broadcasting equipment, analytics and 3D physics engines, and immersive technologies such as AR and VR,” he said.

Getting started

Buchanan said the technology required to support eSports on campus can be fairly complex.

For those just starting out, the prospect of where and how to begin may seem like a daunting task.

“The good news is there are resources available to help schools navigate the complexity. Whether just starting to explore the idea of adding an eSports programme or building on a champion-level team, schools can look to the extended eSports community for support.”

“Together, this community of motivated players can help make eSports on campus an entirely innovative means to inspire, educate and collaborate with others, both locally and worldwide,” Buchanan added.

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