This document discusses the future of esports and pay-to-play gaming. It imagines players being able to play their favorite games for real stakes and win money. Newzoo estimates the number of esports enthusiasts will reach 145 million by 2017. Companies like bSpot and Versus have created platforms to enable legal, real-money tournaments in games. They address technical and regulatory challenges to make tournaments global and attract players and developers.

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SXSW 2016
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THE FUTURE OF ESPORTS AND
PAY-TO-PLAY GAMING

2. IMAGINE PLAYERS
PLAYING THEIR FAVORITE GAMES
FOR REAL STAKES
2

3. IMAGINE YOU,
AS A KID, IF YOU
HAD BEEN TOLD
YOU COULD
MAKE A LIVING
PLAYING VIDEO
GAMES
3

4. IT’S
HAPPENING
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5. Newzoo report estimates
that eSports Enthusiasts will
reach 145 million by 2017
DEVELOPERS CAN’T WAIT.
PLAYERS CAN’T WAIT.
Versus addresses
very serious
technical challenges
in a highly regulated
market…
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6. But is introducing real-money
tournaments to video games a good
idea?
8

7. If so, how do you do it?
8

8. How do you work with
developers and publishers?
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How do you attract players?10

10. HOW DO YOU
MAKE IT LEGAL?
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11. How do you make it global?
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Matthew Pierce
CEO
Sarah Chambless
Attorney
Manatt Digital Media
Jason Xu
CEO and Chief
Gamer
Jamison Selby
VP, Games
• bSpot combines horse racing with mobile gaming
• Allows developers to offer real-money payouts in-game
• Raised over $13M, with multiple games in-market
• Allows players to organize and manage tournaments
• Global reach, hosting thousands of tourneys worldwide
• Works with League of Legends, DOTA, Starcraft and others
• Versus created a platform for legal, prize-based tournaments
• Proprietary system for player ID and prize distribution
• Venture-backed & working with top developers in Asia, US
• Represented the lead investor in FanDuel Series D
• Expert in digital media, gaming startups, and regulatory issues
• Named one of Variety’s New Leaders in Hollywood