Esports Events Research Articles

Esports events & hegemonic masculinity: Reflections on participant-observation at Evolution Championship Series 2019

Using critical theory and self-embodiment, as well as Bourdieu's concept of habitus and the social field, this ethnographic project documents the various ways that hegemonic masculinity manifested at the 2019 Evolution Championship Series (EVO), the largest fighting video game tournament in the world. Participant-observation was utilized to analyze the embodied experience of attending and participating in the tournament. The findings suggest that EVO's hyper-competitive culture reifies hegemonic masculinity and marginalizes femininity. The findings suggest that esports competitions reclaim masculinity through cyber-rituals and sexual objectification of women's real and digital bodies, in lieu of the absence of physical real-world male athletic bodies.

Older people in the world of esport: a qualitative study

IntroductionThe inclusion of older players in the gaming world is growing rapidly, leading to the emergence of specific categories for them at major esport events. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychological issues faced by older people when engaging with the competitive context of esport.Materials and methodsThe study was conducted in 2021 within the French association Silver Geek, which offers digital workshops using Nintendo Wii consoles to older people living in retirement homes and organizes annual amateur competitions between teams of older adults. This qualitative study involved 16 participants (eight women, eight men) aged 63 to 97 years. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the motivations, emotional well-being, and social impact of esport on older people.ResultsThe results show that older people who participate in esport are motivated by the discovery and mastery of new game skills, as well as the pleasure of performance through social comparison. All experience a psychological well-being that translates into intense positive emotions. Moreover, the esport context, whether during the pre-competition workshops or the competitions themselves, proved to be a strong vector for positive social relationships, especially with the young e-sports coaches. However, this activity had little impact on existing family relationships.ConclusionThis study highlights the potential of esport as a recreational activity to promote mental health and social integration in older adults. The challenge for future research is to identify the levers that will enable this activity to become a true medium for intergenerational communication.

Assessing the psychological pathways of esports events spectators: an application of service quality and its antecedents and consequences

ABSTRACT Research question This research develops and tests a comprehensive structural model to explain the psychological pathway behind esports spectator behaviours, linking perceived service quality to its antecedents (i.e. extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation) and consequences (i.e. satisfaction and revisit intention). Research methods Two rounds of data collection were completed for Phase One (N = 485) and Phase Two (N = 217). The measurement items were borrowed from a range of pre-existing scales of traditional sport or esports. Phase One was designed to assess the psychometric properties of the measurement model. Phase Two was purported to test the pathways among the constructs as hypothesised in the structural model. Results and findings In Phase One, the model fit indices showed good model fit, reliability and construct validity. In Phase Two, the SEM model fitness indices showed a marginally acceptable model fit. The path analysis supported 15 out of 19 hypotheses; no significant relationships were found between relatedness and intrinsic motivation, autonomy and extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation and physical environment, and intrinsic motivation and interaction. Overall, the structural model showed a moderate to substantial predictive power. Implications The study provides empirical evidence for the proposed relationships among the constructs and expands the realm of the current theories to the context of esports, especially the application of the self-determination theory and the new esports service quality model. It also provides a more comprehensive picture for esports practitioners to understand their spectators and balance their effort in managing elements which promote future attendance.

The impact of e-sports championships on stock prices of sponsoring companies

This paper studies the impact of esports matches results on the dynamics of sponsoring companies shares. Statistics on three main esports leagues is reviewed: Defense of the Ancient 2, League of legends and Counter Strike: Global Offensive, with Samsung, MegaFon, Intel, HTC corporation, MSI, Asus, Comcast Xfinity, Logitech, Lenovo, BMW, Honda, AMD and a number of several lesser-known companies as sponsors. The study will test the assumption concerning the growth of share prices of the companies sponsoring esports events. Another purpose of the study is to identify the most profitable esports teams and championships. The work will also include an event analysis designed to answer the question of which leagues for which sponsor companies may be preferable in terms of return on investment and why. In particular, the event window will be considered in the context of the teams in middle places, as well as in the context of the winners and losers in a particular esports league. In addition, all sponsors will be divided into their production areas to track the impact of the industry factor. The main result is that the profitability of companies associated with the video game industry will have low correlation with the outcomes of matches of esports teams. The findings show that if a team has the least number of sponsors, there is a greater return on shares than for other teams with a greater number of sponsors.

Online e-sports event viewers' intention to visit the destination

The main aim of this study is to elucidate the impact of hedonic motivations and habits of e-sports viewers on their intention to visit. The second one is to test the mediating role of individuals' attitudes on this stated impact. The data were collected through face-to-face and online between May 26, 2022, and November 15, 2023. At the end of the data collection process, 438 survey forms were obtained. As a result of the conducted analyses, it was found that hedonic motivation and habit variables have a significant and positive impact on attitude and the intention to visit. Moreover, attitudes mediate the relationship between the intention to visit and both hedonic motivation and habit. In the context of the obtained findings suggested to emphasize aspects that bring fun, pleasure, and enjoyment in e-sports activities. Another recommendation is to provide information to e-sports viewers, especially through individual or social media channels, about e-sports events and the destinations where the events are organized in promotional activities.

Research on the Development of E-sports Events in Today's Era

In today's society, with the continuous improvement of the level of science and technology, electronic games have become an important activity for public entertainment. The chief aim of this paper is to study whether the development of e-sports meets the requirements of The Times and whether e-sports will enter the Olympic Games in the future. More and more people participate in electronic games, competition and confrontation emerge, and e-sports become a platform for participants to communicate and compete. In the process of continuous in-depth development of international globalization, the popularity of e-sports competition is getting higher and higher, and e-sports is listed as one of the sports, more and more people participate in it, and the expansion of the scale of e-sports competition has become an inevitable trend. As e-sports entered the Hangzhou Asian Games for the first time into the official sports competition platform, e-sports in the Olympic Games will become a major trend in the future.

The Impact of E-sports Event on Urban Economic Development: A Case Study of the Hangzhou Asian Game

With the continuous development of society, the importance of urban economy has become particularly important. At the same time, sports events have also become an important way to enhance the competitiveness of cities and realize the government's improvement of urban economy. this article takes Hangzhou as a representative to conduct corresponding research and analysis. It is found that the Hangzhou urban government has issued relevant policies for sports events to drive the city's economy in order to better organize events, in order to promote the linkage between event preparation and urban development. This article is based on the perspectives of public management, economics, sports and other disciplines, and comprehensively uses research methods such as literature review and case analysis to study the empowerment of urban economic development by the Hangzhou Asian Games e-sports project. This paper mainly explores three aspects: first, how international events promote urban economy, second, how events promote urban infrastructure construction, and finally, how electronic competitions promote urban economic development. Through the research results, it has been found that as the influence and scale of the e-sports industry gradually increase, the proportion and linkage effect of the industry continue to increase. The development of the e-sports industry-enabled city is also full of uncertainties. On the other hand, from the perspective of driving urban economic development through the e-sports industry, it is proposed to strengthen the development foundation of the e-sports industry, improve the development system of the e-sports industry, and expand the implementation path of the e-sports industry development direction.

Exploring e-sports fans’ motivation for watching live streams based on self-determination theory

This study seeks to examine the multifaceted influences of diverse motivational factors on the live streaming engagement of e-sports fans based on self-determination theory. While previous research has focused on the offline participation in e-sports events, the shift towards live streaming engagement has created a new and underexplored area: the motivations for live streaming viewing among e-sports fans. Consequently, this research develops an e-sports Live Streaming Viewing Motivation Scale for evaluating both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations underlying e-sports fans’ live streaming engagement, and then utilises SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0 to assess the reliability and validity of the scale. Subsequently, multiple linear regression analysis of 1052 questionnaires is employed to construct models and evaluate hypotheses. Findings indicate that : (1) Intrinsic motivation exhibits significant impact on the live viewing behaviour of e-sports fans. (2) However, the impact of extrinsic motivation is insignificant. (3) When both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations coexist, intrinsic motivation maintains a positive impact, whereas extrinsic motivation demonstrates a negative influence. (4) The motivational influence is multifaceted; notably, dimensions such as idol worship, leisure entertainment, and competitive stimulation positively affect live viewing motivation, while belonging identification, social engagement, and peripheral activities exert a negative impact. In conclusion, intrinsic motivation emerges as the primary driving force behind e-sports fans’ live streaming viewing behaviour. Extrinsic motivation fails to independently influence live streaming engagement and even dampens enthusiasm when combined with intrinsic motivation. Theoretically, this study contributes to the existing literature on Self-determination theory and motivations behind e-sports live streaming viewing behaviour. It not only refines the motivation scale, but also elucidates the impact of various motivations on viewing behaviour. Practically, it provides insights for optimising e-sports products and services.

Strategi Komunikasi Pemasaran Event PERSIS E-Sports

E-sports is a rapidly growing new branch of sport in Indonesia and worldwide. In Indonesia, E-Sport has gained recognition from IeSPA (Indonesia e-Sport Association), which operates under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. IeSPA's vision is to establish Indonesia as a high-achieving country in the field of E-Sport. As E-Sport continues to develop in Indonesia, numerous competitions have emerged in this domain. It started with small-scale competitions in internet cafes, gradually expanding to both local and international levels. One notable example is the Esports team, PERSIS Esports, which originated from the PERSIS Solo football club in Indonesia. Compared to other League 1 promotion clubs like Dewa United and Rans Nusantara, PERSIS Esports actively organizes Esports events, as evident from their Instagram account. These sporting competitions run successfully due to PERSIS E-Sports' marketing efforts, particularly in Free Fire and E-Football competitions. Data for this research was collected through interviews with the General Manager of PERSIS ESPORTS, Creative Director, Content Creator, and Community Manager. After analysis, the research findings indicate that PERSIS E-Sports effectively markets E-Sports competitions to the target audience, specifically focusing on the 13-18 age range of students in the Solo Raya region who have an interest in online gaming. The marketing strategy involves targeting Instagram users and communities interested in online gaming through Instagram ads. The positioning of Persis E-Sports is to market tournaments that cater to all groups, particularly online gaming communities in Surakarta and its surrounding areas. The implementation of the marketing mix elements (7P) can be observed through the utilization of print media, electronic media, social media, websites, direct marketing via WhatsApp Groups with the community, as well as personal sales activities through booths and expos during events and promotions at local schools in collaboration with their football team.

Passionate About Esports: Esports Players’ Motivation to Participate in and Watch Esports Events

Alderfer’s ERG (i.e., existence, relatedness, and growth) theory of motivation (1969) was adopted in this study to analyze individuals’ motivations for engaging in esports. This study investigated the relatively new field of esports viewership and participation by concentrating on the motivating factors behind esports consumption to establish whether esports viewership and participation are distinct markets that stand alone or are comparable to or complement each other for consumption. The study was conducted using qualitative methods consisting of semistructured focus-group interviews. The transcript was coded using open, axial, and selective coding to develop themes fitting within the ERG theory. The current study found similarities and unique findings in esports participation and consumption motivation factors under the ERG groups. Practical applications are proposed for employing the results of the study to further marketing and development efforts in this field.

Uncovering Differences: A Study on Loyalty in Esports Mobile Apps by Gender

Abstract The aim of this research is to assess the existence or absence of differences in brand perceptions of users of an esports mobile app according to gender. In addition, it intends to discover the explanatory capacity of brand variables for the prediction of user loyalty, to understand how these variables influence perceptions according to gender, and to contribute to the creation of strategies more aligned with the interests and needs of each target audience. The study involved 1,668 users of an esports tournament mobile app. An online questionnaire created for this purpose was used to discover users’ perceptions of brand awareness, corporate image, perceived quality, and loyalty. The data were analyzed by creating structural equation models according to gender. The study shows the absence of significant gender differences in the values of the brand variables, with higher means in the case of men. In addition, the important role of brand awareness, corporate image and perceived quality in understanding the loyalty of users of an esports app is confirmed for both genders, with differential aspects in the explanatory weight of some variables according to gender. This study analyses brand perception in mobile sports apps and its relationship to user loyalty, a context that has been little analyzed so far at the brand level. In addition, it does so from a gender perspective, contributing to elimination of existing barriers and stereotypes in the context of esports events by discovering possible differences that allow managers to address each target audience more effectively.

Analysis of the interactions among core stakeholders of the Olympic media ecosystem: conditions for a value creation proposition of the Olympic Virtual Series

ABSTRACT One of the most visible examples of the disruptive nature of esports can be seen through its inclusion in the modern Olympic Games. Despite substantial initiatives deployed over the past ten years to strengthen ties between the Olympic Movement (OM) and the esports industry, research is still limited on the first edition of Olympic esports events. This study fills that void by investigating the conditions under which the relationships among Olympic Virtual Series’ (OVS) stakeholders can generate value for them. Using a qualitative approach based on the media ecosystem theory, we performed a thematic analysis of seven semi-structured interviews conducted with esports activities managers and marketers from International Sports Federations and one publisher. This work reveals how the inclusion of esports in the OM movement through the OVS reflects how esports’ increased popularity is disrupting modern media businesses. In addition, it demonstrates that the stakeholders involved in the first edition of the OVS faced many challenges in generating value. We identify key inhibitors, facilitators and challenges for OM stakeholders in the results.

E-Sports Events: A Sports Parent's Perspective

e-Sports is a rapidly growing industry, which has gained popularity in the recent years. It is estimated that the global e-sports market will have a value of $1.87 billion in 2025. e-Sports competitions and tournaments are becoming increasingly popular, especially among schoolchildren and college students. The growth of leagues, at school level, requires that parents should understand this sport and have a positive attitude towards e-sports and e-sports events, due to the likely support that parents are required to provide to participants at these events. The study is a preliminary study, which aims to understand parents' view of e-sports, as a form of sports, to determine the financial investment to participate in e-sports and parents’ experience during an e-sport event. The study used a qualitative approach, utilising a semi-structured interview schedule, with six parents interviewed at an event, as well as a focus group discussion, with 21 parents of e-sports players. The study found that parents have a positive perception of e-sports events and are fully supportive of their children participating in them. Further, it was concluded that e-sports is viewed as a form of sports and, in comparison to other ‘traditional sports’, it is actually a very affordable form of sport to partake in. Parents spend most of their money at e-sports events on food, whilst some parents will go to a restaurant after the event, to celebrate the child’s accomplishments. The results of this preliminary study will guide further studies on e-sports events and are already giving an indication to e-sports organisers what the perspectives and needs of parents are.

ESports events, the good, the bad and the ugly, from a parent’s perspective.

eSports events in the form of tournaments are a relatively new occurrence in South Africa. Therefore, it is vital to understand this form of entertainment, the events hosted, and the perspectives of participants and spectators. A pilot qualitative study was undertaken at a local school that hosted an interschool eSports tournament event. The study focused on the parents of minor eSports participants to gauge their perspective of the eSports events hosted, the advantages and disadvantages of participating in these events, and their actual experience of the hosted event. Out of a population of 20 parents who attended the event, six parents consented to be interviewed. Findings have been made on topics such as the addiction of minors to eSports gaming, why minors participate in eSports, the advantages and disadvantages of eSports gaming, and what parents want from eSports events. The findings of this study will direct eSports stakeholders on how to improve on offered eSports events, and inform them of the views of stakeholders. The tourism industry should take note of this newly emerging type of event, which could be a catalyst for South African events as the hub for Africa eSports events.

Enhancing Spectator Engagement in E-sports Events

This study investigates and measures factors related to the involvement of spectators in e-sports events using a Structural Equation Model (SEM) coupled with a Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA). The researchers conducted the study within a framework of push and pull factors. The findings indicate that both push and pull factors impact commitment, and that commitment has an impact on engagement. The practical implication of this is that management should emphasize pull factors, such as improving the quality of events, strategies for enhancing event attractiveness at the community level, managing event rewards, considering pricing strategies, utilizing promotions, and selecting suitable venues. Regarding the theoretical implications, the significance of three factors, push, pull, and commitment, are underscored as necessary conditions for engagement in this context. This research provides valuable in-depth insights for e-sports event managers to develop strategies which increase interest and participation among spectators, thereby enhancing the overall experience and growth of the industry.

Acoustic Comfort in Indoor Sporting Arena for E-Sports Venue: An Analysis of The Determining Criteria and A Conceptual Framework

It is vital that people concentrate and focus on the types of sports and amenities in the context of sports facilities to provide acoustic comfort for players and fans. Thus, influences the positive or negative psychological and emotional impact experience during the sports matches. Esports events are mostly organized in enclosed spaces facilities such as indoor arenas or stadiums, which are spaces where speech intelligibility and noise level determine, to a large extent, the listening comfort or even the safety of the occupants. More noise may distract players throughout the match and during the match, interfering with their performance and communication with coaches if there is no proper sound blocking or insulation. This research will look at critical literature studies of the defining elements and criteria for this occurrence to develop a conceptual framework for how players, coaches, and spectators experienced acoustic comfort in various types of Esports venue. The primary goal of this research is to clarify the differences in Esports venue design and the determining factors that influence human acoustic comfort. As a result, the goal of this study is to create a framework based on the elements that determine acoustic comfort classification in Esports venues. Designers and architects able to utilize this framework as a guide to assist them prepare estimates of acoustic conditions and corrective activities in Esports venue which tailored suited to players, as well as the effects on staffs and spectators, thus create a highly immersive experience.

Content analysis of food and beverage marketing in global esports: sponsorships of the premier events, leagues, teams and players

BackgroundFood marketing has been implicated as a driving force of the obesity epidemic. Electronic sports, or ‘esports’, garners billions of viewership hours and is a consolidation of two major marketing...

Sponsored Product-Based Competition and Customer Engagement: A Study of an Esports Competition in the Video Game Industry

The sponsorship of sports or entertainment events is a long-established marketing promotion technique. The goals of sponsoring these events are to generate exposure and to transfer brand equity. A more assertive type of sponsored competition is when the competition is built around the products and brands of the sponsoring firm. The number of firms using sponsored product-based competitions (SPCs) is rising. Firms invest in these competitions to create content that highlights the capabilities of their products and build committed fan bases. However, evaluating the economic value of this type of sponsorship activity is challenging due to the absence of a direct link between event viewing and subsequent product consumption. We present an empirical approach to investigate the impacts of SPC on customer engagement using esports viewing and video game consumption data. We find that sponsored competitions provide firms with substantial benefits. Specifically, the results suggest that viewing an SPC event (i.e., esports competition) reduces consumers’ time between game plays by 3.2% (i.e., increased visit frequency), increases per-visit duration by 3.5%, and boosts the paid content purchase rate by 26%. These findings are corroborated using an alternate dataset from a second esports event from the game publisher. We find that the effect of an SPC event viewing is a nonlinear function of consumer expertise and is more pronounced among customers less familiar with the video game product category. In a supplementary analysis, we also identify an educational role of SPC that may explain the observed incremental consumption. The analyses reveal that esports audiences tend to choose frequently featured game characters with superior performance during the event. In addition, we find that when event viewers play the game with these characters, their performance improves. The results have substantial implications for event sponsorship management and follow-up product promotions.

미래 지향적 과제로서 가상현실(VR) 태권도

The purpose of this study is to prepare the prospect and role of Taekwondo by discussing the relationship between virtual reality and Taekwondo as a future-oriented task. To this end, it was explained based on empiricism based on the empirical achievements of the second generation cognitive science. First, the mind is innately embodied. Second, thinking is largely unconscious. Third, it rests on the point that abstract concepts are mostly metaphorical. Taekwondo participants in virtual reality relate to physical activity as a movement through interaction between body and mind. VR Taekwondo is a future-oriented task, and it is valuable in that it suggests the possibility of a new Taekwondo culture and digital Taekwondo industrialization and furthermore as an e-sports event.

Mechanisms of Emotional Experiences of Online Spectators of E-Sports Events From the Perspective of Interactive Ritual Chain

E-sports events play a crucial role as significant entertainment activities and platforms for emotional interaction among the public. This study seeks to delve into the processes underlying the emotional experiences of online spectators during interactive rituals within e-sports events. It employs the core concept of emotional energy within interaction ritual chains as framework for analysis. To accomplish this, we conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 20 online spectators actively engaged in the League of Legends professional league. These interviews specifically targeted their emotions, feelings, evaluations, behaviors, and other relevant experiences both preceding, during, and subsequent to spectating. Our analysis revealed four distinct stages within the emotional energy change process: emotional arousal, immersion, climax, and continuity. These stages collectively culminate in the formulation of a dynamic, continuous, and cyclical emotional energy model. Notably, spectators adeptly employ various emotional regulation strategies to mitigate the impact of disruptive factors. The integration of ritual symbols, coupled with the positive feedback loop of emotional energy, serves to connect the five identified stages and establish a cohesive cyclic upward mechanism. These findings not only offer unique insights into the micro-level emotional experiences of online spectators but also hold practical implications for the effective management of e-sports events.