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Competitive Esports: What’s It All About?

by | Feb 13, 2025 | Business Development, Cameras, eSports, Pro Displays, Uncategorized

Over the past few months, I went on a journey to gain a better understanding of Esports. With over 30 years in this industry, my exposure and knowledge level about this new and growing business was very limited at best. Other than the discussions with my niece and attending a few webinars hosted by rAVe’s Gary Kayye, I intended to expand my personal knowledge – and hopefully share some of that information with you.

Over the past few years, Esports has transformed from a niche activity into a global phenomenon, with large audiences, sponsorships, and college programs dedicated to competitive gaming. While Esports is rising in popularity across many universities, the term can still be a bit of a mystery for those who aren’t immersed in the gaming world. Simply put, Esports focuses on competitive video gaming, where players and teams participate in organized tournaments, often with large audiences watching online or live at arenas.

In a recent article about the rapid expansion of Esports, rAVe’s Clara Mello details the large market potential for competitive gaming. Thanks to its expansion into college programs, the gaming market was valued at $187 billion with 335 million players and viewers when rAVe’s article was published.

esports-arena-displaysBut it’s not just about the games — there’s a long list of audiovisual technology that helps bring these epic events to life. Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of Esports and discuss how AV solutions are driving this industry.

In conversation with Keith Vidger, Engineering Manager for Pro Video and Audio at Panasonic, we discussed the key factors that contribute to a successful Esports setup. First and foremost, it’s important to differentiate Esports streaming from broadcasting.

“There are many rules and procedures used for broadcasting at conventional sporting events,” he explained. “These rules do not apply when you’re not broadcasting over the air, so there’s no need for delay.”

While the government requires that traditional broadcasts insert several seconds of delay, these rules do not need to be followed when streaming. Instead, streams should have one frame or lower latency. And in competitive Esports, latency and lag are major concerns. With each game requiring split-second decisions, even a few milliseconds of delay can cost players the game.

“Certain applications do not care about lag, but [in Esports,] 3-microseconds versus 2-microseconds of lag could be the difference between winning and losing a game,” Vidger said. “[Traditional] broadcasting caused an unnecessary delay that was detrimental to the game players.”

Additionally, the growing popularity of Esports wouldn’t be complete without the rise of platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Many Esports events are streamed live on Twitch, where millions of fans tune in to watch the action unfold in real time. Pre-recorded events are frequently uploaded to YouTube, where they can be revisited by fans after the event is over.

So, how does the right AV gear enhance an Esports event? Here are a few necessary products that are designed to help these competitions run smoothly and efficiently.

PTZ Cameras

Panasonic Connect PTZ cameras Panasonic’s AW-UE150 and AW-UE160 cameras are excellent choices for Esports events, as they provide crystal-clear images and capture fast-moving gameplay. For smaller setups or more budget-friendly options, the AW-UE30 and AW-UE40 are also great choices.PTZ cameras by Panasonic Connect

Explore the Panasonic PTZ Camera lineup.

Displays

While the players often have access to their own personal monitors during an Esports event, large displays are an essential component of an arena. These displays show the competition to large, in-person crowds and give attendees a close-up look at key moments.

Looking towards the future of competitive Esports, Vidger finds that the largest point of change is in the organization of the sport itself, as there are many different leagues that can employ players and drive revenue. He expects that the scope and reach of these leagues continues to expand, with more university campuses requesting these audio-visuals systems to host competitive Esports events.

Overall, Esports is a fast-growing segment for the AV industry. In my opinion, it’s a very interesting topic, especially if you are not really involved in playing any games. If you’re looking to experience an Esports event, I’d recommend going on Twitch to watch an online stream. This is an area that brings opportunities for all of us to provide equipment for these events. Additionally, Esports also presents itself as a rapidly growing business segment, which will only bring even more discovery of products and services.

This was an educational and eye-opening process for me, and I’ll share some useful links and resources so you can peruse them, too!  With any questions, please reach out to me, your Exertis Almo representative, and/or your Panasonic TAM for assistance.

Resources for You

Angie Greene
About the Author

Angie Greene | DSCE

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Panasonic Connect

Esports on Campus: The Role of ProAV in Competitive Gaming

by | Oct 1, 2024 | Business Development, eSports, Uncategorized

As Esports continues to surge in popularity, college campuses are emerging as key players in the competitive gaming landscape. From campus gaming centers and dedicated arenas to immersive broadcasting experiences, universities are investing in professional audiovisual (Pro AV) solutions to elevate their Esports programs. For systems integrators, this represents a unique opportunity to provide the advanced technology needed to support high-performance gaming environments.

Absen - esports case studiesLet’s explore the key categories of Pro AV technology essential for creating cutting-edge Esports facilities on college campuses and how integrators can play a vital role in the process.

Displays and Video Walls

High-quality displays, including large-format monitors, video walls, and projectors, are essential for both players and spectators. In gaming arenas, video walls allow for large-scale broadcasting of matches, while individual monitors ensure players have the highest resolution and refresh rates for competitive gaming.

The Absen KLCOB Series utilizes professional Micro LED technology for reliable and stable performance that stays cool. Check out these Absen esports case studies.JBL-SRX910LA speaker variety

Audio Systems

Clear and immersive audio is crucial for the player experience and for spectators. Advanced speaker systems and surround sound setups enhance gameplay immersion, while PA systems or distributed audio ensure audiences in live events can hear game commentary and match details.

JBL’s SRX900 Series addresses the growing need for scalable small and medium-format professional sound-reinforcement solutions. The SRX910LA is a two-way active line array element that can cover a variety of mid to large-sized applications. Want to know more? These JBL esports case studies may be of interest.

Broadcast and Streaming Equipment

Esports requires robust streaming capabilities. This includes video capture devices, professional-grade cameras, switchers, and encoding hardware for live streaming games to platforms like Twitch or YouTube. Professional lighting setups are also needed for player cams and audience viewability.lc200 bundle 51pb

Lumen’s Media Processor Bundle equips your space with the ability to record, store and stream video content including the LC200 CaptureVision system and PTZ cameras.

Atlona AVoIP case study gaming center

Control Systems and Signal Management

To manage all the audiovisual elements seamlessly, integrated control systems are needed. This includes AV-over-IP solutions for routing signals across multiple screens, gaming setups, and feeds, along with signal processors to ensure smooth transitions between live feeds, game replays, and announcements.

Atlona Velocity Hardware Gateway AT-VGW-HW-3 provides AV system control, plus room scheduling and AV asset management, and the Velocity System 7″ VESA Mount Touch Panel is designed for both AV control and room scheduling applications.
Atlona Velocity and Vesa touch panel
Optimized for video distribution over GbE infrastructure, deliver the highest quality 4K imagery with extremely low latency to video walls with the Atlona AT-OMNI-121 networked AV decoder featuring the advanced VCx™ codec which delivers artifact-free image presentation, ultra-fast switching, and ultra-low latency. Pair with AT-OMNI-111 AVoIP Encoder. For more insights, check out the Atlona AVoIP in Education and Esports case study.

Esports is a Growing Industry

These technologies are essential to creating an immersive and professional Esports environment on campus, elevating both player performance and viewer engagement.
SONY - Esports - Exertis Almo Webinar

As noted by rAVe in this 2024 “Esports and ProAV“ webinar description, “Virtually every college and university in North America is exploring ways to incorporate Esports on their campuses. Over 75 colleges in the USA already recognize it as a Division 1 sport. Moreover, the International Olympic Committee is considering its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”

Esports on college campuses is not just a trend—it’s an evolving industry that demands sophisticated Pro AV solutions. From displays and audio systems to live streaming setups and control systems, the right technology ensures a seamless and engaging experience for players, spectators, and broadcasters alike.

By partnering with a trusted AV distributor like Exertis Almo, integrators can confidently deliver solutions for campus gaming centers as well as meet the high standards of collegiate Esports, positioning their clients at the forefront of this dynamic market.

Ready to level up your next Esports installation? Contact us today to explore how we can help bring your vision to life.

Want to know more about AV tech for education? Check out “Audio-Visual Trends in Higher Education That Elevate the Learning Experience“.

Esports: Mom Lied When She Said I’d Never Make Money Playing Halo

by | Feb 17, 2020 | eSports

Us millennials sure love to ruin everything, don’t we? First we came in with participation trophies, we moved on to tank the economy, and now we have come for sports!

*Queue diabolical laughter*

According to this Reuter’s article, global esports revenues will rise above one billion dollars by the end of 2019. Yes, that’s a billion with a “B” and that represents an annual increase of 27 percent. While it still may not be advisable to raise your children to be an esports athlete; the industry is growing at an exceptional rate. As it turns out, fun has turned into serious business.

Similarly to millions of other kids growing up, I would come home from school sit down and turn on my Xbox to play Halo 2. In my early teens, I would stay up all night playing competitive online tournaments on the weekends and during summers. The advent of online gaming in the late 90s and early 2000s exposed millions of people just like me to competitive gaming. I remember being ecstatic in a car ride home having won a full year of Xbox live at a local game store. As a pre-teen saving $60 was enough to make me feel like the greatest player of all time. Meanwhile, this year in July a sixteen year old made over $3 million winning an online tournament for the smash hit Fortnite.

There seems to be a rather noticeable generational divide when it comes to esports. The majority of US viewership ranges between the ages of 18 and 34. Just like when my grandparents told me that the iPhone would never take off because “who needs a camera in their pocket?” this trend is not necessarily intuitive but inevitable. Just as civilizations have moved away from blood sports like the Mesoamerican ball game, or the roman gladiatorial events, people are moving away more and more from what we see as traditional sports.

But why would anyone want to watch other people play video games? This question is echoed across the internet in message boards and on popular television shows. Just as a fifteen-year-old may not understand the nuances of play calling in an NFL game, my dad certainly has no clue about the nuances of sideboarding in a competitive Magic the Gathering (or MTG) event. My true esports love is watching competitive MTG because I can watch and see how the pros navigate complex game states. It is akin to getting free advice on how to improve your swing from Tiger Woods when you sit down and watch Luis Scott Vargas play matches on Twitch. Critically, esports has two advantages that traditional sports will never be able to touch—evolution and variety.

Every year Activision releases a new Call of Duty, Epic Games constantly introduces new weapons and cosmetics into Fortnite, Wizards of the Coast add new cards to MTG, Blizzard adds new characters to Overwatch, and Valve introduces new heroes into Dota 2. In order to keep gamers invested in their games, these companies constantly pump out updates to their game that introduce new cosmetic and gameplay experiences. If you are a consumer, you can simply watch the pros play the new content to verify if it looks like something you are interested in.

But variety is the spice of life. When our marketing team approached me, my brain immediately went to a few specific places. My instant reaction was to talk about first person shooters and collectible card games. While many friends of mine jump to talk about real time strategy games, sports games, fighting games, and mobas (multiplayer online battle arenas). You will never catch me watching the DOTA International, but I anticipate watching MPL Weekly. And that is the piece of the puzzle that is missing in the minds of people that are not already invested in the esports ecosystem. Regardless of the kind of “gamer” you are, there is an esports league with compelling content for you.

At the end of the day, regardless of whatever preconceived notions that you have about esports; you would be wise to not ignore this industry. Parents in the 80s that bought Atari and Nintendo for their kids probably never dreamed that the gaming industry would grow to a multi-billion-dollar global industry.  Don’t be caught behind the curve thinking that esports will never be as big as traditional sports.

Game on!

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