Esports is an umbrella term for organised, competitive computer gaming, usually between professionals and one report predicted that 2018 revenues will hit £683m. Tony McDonough reports
City of Liverpool College claiming a global first with the launch of a new course in the rapidly-growing first of electronic sports (esports).
Esports is an umbrella term for organised, competitive computer gaming, usually between professionals. One report predicted that 2018 revenues for Esports will hit £683m, a 38% increase from 2017’s £495m.
In response to this the college has partnered with alternative education provider, VSI (Visionary Sports Investment), to deliver the course designed to harness the emerging talent.
As part of the course, students will learn how to host small and large scale events for single player and multi-player esports teams, create business plans to develop teams, create online communities and promote events through digital marketing.
They will also get the opportunity to explore the culture of esports, its audience and fan base and different game genres that make up the most popular ones in current times. Last weekend the college held an event to promote the course.
Elaine Bowker, principal of the City of Liverpool College, said: “Esports is a huge industry in which professional players can forge incredibly successful careers. However, so often young people are leaving education without the right skills they need to turn their talent into a business.
“Having been the first college in the country to create a dedicated digital academy, offering young people coding, software development and a range of digital skills, we are proud to be delivering this innovative new course, which will equip students with the real-life practical skills they need to carve out a successful career in the esports industry.”
Before collaborating with The City of Liverpool College, VSI has traditionally worked with high profile international footballers, cricketers, rugby league and rugby union professionals on post-graduate education programmes, and has developed the Esport education concept in response to industry demand.