This event took place on 23 June 2022 as part of our Networkshop50 fringe season. The esports industry is growing and is inching closer to mainstream acceptance, shaping up to be the world’s biggest sport. We're keen to hear from you about your thoughts on esports, what you've been doing, your current understanding and needs. 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 and we'd like to explore this with you.

1. Networkshop50
Esports community fringe event
23 Thursday June

2. What is Esports?
Esports are distinct from regular video gaming in that they are competitive
(human-vs-human) and frequently include an interesting spectator component,
like traditional sports.
Professional or amateur gamers typically compete against one another in
esports events for a financial reward.
Esports are distinct from regular video gaming in that they are competitive (human-
vs-human) and frequently include an interesting spectator component, like
traditional sports.

3. Esports history
•1980: The National Space Invaders
Championship
•The first nationwide video game tournament was
hosted by Atari and drew more than 10,000
competitors.

4. League of Legends World championships
The most watched esports
competition in November was the
2021 League of Legends World
Championship having over 4
million viewers at its peak.

5. Esports in education
Attendance:
As esports student-athletes feel more connected to one another and are more excited about
going to college, their attendance increases noticeably.
Coursework Alignment:
An esports curriculum is compatible with the courses in game design, graphic and multimedia
design, technological communication, and cybersecurity.
Academic Achievement:
Playing esports has the power to completely alter a student's academic trajectory, helping them
raise their achievement by sometimes as much as a grade boundary.
Engagement:
Student gamers make up more than 80% of esports teams who previously had never engaged
in extracurricular activities. Providing the chance to practice sportsperson ship for the non-
traditional student-athlete.
Skills such as collaboration, social intelligence, and pride in athletic competition.

6. Esports in education continued
Teamwork:
Participants learn to communicate and collaborate with others more effectively via increased
levels of engagement, cooperative learning, and group work.
Sense of Community:
Esports' inclusivity and accessibility enable students to bond over a shared interest while giving
them access to supportive adults as mentors.
Real-World Experience:
Students spend hours studying data, game statistics, and strategy. This gives them real-world
experience and allows them to use in-demand career skills, which are qualities that
businesses want in college/university graduates.

7. Esports at your institution
Maintaining current technology is crucial for being competitive and establishing the
proper technological basis can be the difference between a successful and
unsuccessful esports operation.

8. Checklist for technology 1
The campus network
Speed, flexibility, and capacity on the network are essential.
The biggest problem to hit the esports industry is latency.
Large teams of extremely competent players make plays that need to be replayed
in milliseconds on high definition systems with complex visuals, and competitions
are typically televised via streaming sites like Twitch and Steam.

9. Checklist for technology 2
On-Premises Security Solutions
Since online officiating occurs in esports, on-premises technology is recommended
for everything from fan engagement to real-time cheating and fraud detection.
On-site solutions assist educational institutions in maintaining strict security
measures to avoid cheating, game-interference, and user-affected hacking.

10. Checklist for technology 3
Gaming equipment
The gaming console or PC that powers the system is the foundation for creating an
esports lab or even a single person setup for competitive gaming.
While desktops offer more capacity during contests, gaming laptops offer the
portability needed for gamers on the road. Your esports teams will play in leagues
that have established technical requirements.

11. Checklist for technology 4
Monitors
Monitors are essential for presenting the visual interface that promotes effective
gameplay and for bringing the visual experience of gaming to life.
Modern gaming monitors are equipped with the graphics, size, and refresh rates
necessary to provide a visual experience that works in tandem with a computer to
process games at breakneck speeds.

12. Checklist for technology 5
Lighting in the room and digital signage
For the onsite spectators who frequently wait for hours watching the action develop,
digital signs and large-screen television displays are other things to take into
account.
Adding enormous displays brings everything together to provide the impression of
being part of a "grand event," whether it be streaming gaming or showing statistics
for a live competition.

13. Checklist for technology 6
Keyboards
The keyboard plays a crucial role in simplifying gameplay and providing an
ergonomic experience for PC gamers. The most important factor to think about is
whether to get a basic membrane keyboard or a better mechanical keyboard.
Additionally, there are specialist gaming keyboards with additional buttons that
may be utilised to enhance gameplay, frequently referred to as MMO keyboards.

14. Checklist for technology 7
Mouse
There are several gaming mice alternatives available that correspond to different
game genres. A MOBA or MMO-style mouse gives greater button access, whereas
a shooter mouse is best for first-person shooter games.
In addition to having more buttons than a standard mouse, a good gaming mouse
should also have a firm grip.

15. Checklist for technology 8
Headsets
Players may use the headset microphone to take part in team conversations and
hear gaming. It's crucial to think about noise-cancelling gaming headset options that
are cosy for extended games and provide the necessary sound quality.
Since students require gaming headsets to last them the whole academic year, we
often steer clear of those made of flimsy materials or with frayed cords.

16. Checklist for technology 9
Seating
Since students will be sitting for extended periods of time, it is important to invest in
a high-quality gaming chair with decent ergonomics.

17. Checklist for technology 10
Cameras
In order to fully enjoy the adrenaline of esports, video production, setup, and
positioning are essential.
In addition to being a requirement in many leagues, investing in broadcast quality
cameras oriented toward the high-performance demands of the gaming business
is also essential for viewer engagement.

18. Capabilities for networking
•Network bottlenecks in terms of latency, jitter, delays, and bandwidth
•Connection to the Internet
•Technical Services and Support
•Network Management and Security
•Continuous Visibility into Network Applications and Responsiveness
The network is what sets it apart and ultimately determines whether or not your
players and teams succeed. Institutions must address crucial technological
challenges to make sure their technology complies with programme standards
whether they are hosting an on-campus or off-campus esports programme.

19. The three types
Currently up and running
Even if you are already running Esports within your institution it is always important
to ensure the security posture is maintained.
Just here to find out about Esports
Using the wealth of information that is currently available will be useful when you
plan to implement.
Starting work towards operating Esports
Engagement with curriculum from any early stage is very important for both
departments to have an understanding of the requirements.