Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024

Canada

5 Key Similarities Between Esports Players and Traditional Sports Players

Published

on

 

Whether you’ve been a dedicated gamer for years or simply enjoy casual sessions in your free time, you’ve no doubt heard of Esports. One of the biggest sectors shaking up the gaming industry in recent years, Esports is a form of competitive gaming that sees professional players compete against opponents either individually, or in teams.

As Esports grows in popularity, many have begun to consider whether the activity should actually be considered a ‘sport’, as its name suggests. One fact that supports this argument is the similarities between Esports players and athletes that compete in more conventional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, or EFL. Although it may seem like these two parties have little in common, this is not the case. From the way they train, to the fanbase surrounding them, both Esports competitors and their traditional athletic counterparts share many qualities. In this article we take a look at some of the biggest similarities between the two. Who knows – after reading this you may be persuaded to take Esports more seriously.

Intense Training Regimes are the Norm

We’ve all heard of the phrase, ‘practice makes perfect’ and this could not be truer in the world of sports. All athletes, whether amateur or professional, can’t compete to the best of their ability if they have not spent adequate time on the practice field. Just like regular sports players, Esports players must prepare themselves to perform competitively. The only real difference here lies in the manner in which the two types of athletes do so.

For example, basketball players normally hit the court multiple times a week, running through drills with their teammates and practicing certain plays. Physical exercises may include lunges, squats, and pullups, while weight training is also important. On the other hand, Esports players keep themselves busy by working on their reflexes and response times. Since many games are first-person shooter titles, Esports competitors must have elite hand eye coordination, and rapid finger movement. Although the way they train is focused on the development of distinct skill-sets, both athletic pursuits require a significant amount of practice.

Advertisement

Both Groups Compete with Fans Present 

It’s no secret that fans are what drives much of the sports industry’s lucrative nature. When it comes to both Esports and traditional sports, massive audiences of loyal fans follow players to the ends of the earth. In fact, Esports tournaments are often held in huge, multi-purpose sports stadiums and see thousands of spectators cheering on their favorite players. Sports like hockey, football, and baseball also have annual competitions and seasonal games that sell out arenas around the world.

Additionally, betting is a common practice in both athletic fields, as fans take to virtual platforms to place wagers ahead of important match ups. Online sports betting for traditional sports is currently taking off in places like the U.S. as more lawmakers begin to legalize the activity in their states. This has caused more and more providers to pop up throughout the web, offering promotions such as risk-free bets to new and existing customers. Little is different in the world of Esports, as the growing number of premium leagues is leading to greater investment and spectator interest, causing the market to grow exponentially.

In the future, the rates of spectatorship in Esports are only expected to grow, causing a steady increase in the availability of betting platforms as well. One thing’s for certain – if you attend a live competition in either sport and close your eyes to hear only the fan’s cheers around you, both audiences are sure to deliver loud cries of support for the teams they support.

Communication is Crucial for Success

Like any team sport, communication is a hugely important factor that can either drive success or produce failure. In the same way that members of a football team are constantly communicating with their teammates out on the pitch, Esports competitors must embrace teamwork and speak verbally to each other throughout gameplay. This has resulted in the arrival of gaming jargon that is Esports-specific. For instance, a ‘carry’ refers to a player that is protected by the rest of their team with the intention of pulling a surprise attack on the opponent, while ‘man on’ is the call that one player makes to another to warn them that an opposing force is close by.

Likewise there is a wealth of jargon utilized in traditional leagues. In the NFL, any single game is packed full of specialist terms that players use to communicate the state of play. After all, when you’re in the heat of the moment trying to score a goal no one has time for long sentences.

Advertisement
An Esports announcer gets the crowd hyped up during a live tournament

Players Have Celebrity Status

As stated before, both groups are widely followed by fans around the world. This has caused them to retain celebrity status in their respective circles. Esports players are well-known on different streaming sites like Twitch which give them a platform to share their talent. Additionally, events like the annual Esports Awards bring further attention to those in the professional gaming scene.

Traditional sports stars have massive followings on social media and are recognized in public wherever they go. At live tournaments and games, Esports players are flooded with media attention and requests for photographs, as their fans just want a small opportunity to get up close and personal with the professional gamers they know and love. This is no different in traditional sports, as backstage passes and VIP seats are highly sought after.

Hefty Salaries and Endorsement Deals

Last but not least, Esports players and traditional sports players both take home considerably salaries. In fact, the monetary rewards for winning at Esports tournament actually rivals those of standard professional sports organizations. These prize pools are so large that pro gamers have the opportunity to double their yearly earnings with just one victory. In both sports, endorsements and sponsorships are the norm, as huge brands like BMW, Coca-Cola, Red Bull and many more look to invest.

So, there you have it. Perhaps now you can see how closely intertwined players of Esports and traditional sports really are, despite their surface-level differences.

Powered by WPeMatico

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

AGA

DraftKings Set to Launch Mobile Sports Betting in North Carolina on March 11

Published

on

draftkings-set-to-launch-mobile-sports-betting-in-north-carolina-on-march-11

 

Today, DraftKings Incorporated (DraftKings) (Nasdaq: DKNG) announced plans to launch its top-rated online sportsbook in North Carolina on March 11, 2024. This announcement is the culmination of DraftKings’ continued work with stakeholders and regulators across North Carolina to offer fans a responsible form of sports betting. Earlier this year, DraftKings and NASCAR agreed to terms on a written designation agreement, paving the way for the digital sports entertainment and gaming company to operate in the state. Once live in North Carolina, the DraftKings Sportsbook will be available in 27 United States states, in addition to Ontario, Canada.

North Carolina is known for its strong sports culture, housing the majority of the NASCAR industry, professional teams in the NFL, NBA and NHL as well as several universities competing at the Division-I level. Starting from March 11, DraftKings will provide eligible fans in the state several new and responsible ways to get in on the action. DraftKings’ online sportsbook provides a wide variety of betting markets and key offerings such as same-game parlays, in-game betting, special odds boosts and more on a safe, regulated platform with various customer protections in place such as deposit and time limits, access to responsible gaming resource materials, cool off and self-exclusion features along with DraftKings’ all new My Stat Sheet, an innovative responsible gaming feature that shows customers exactly how much time they’ve spent on DraftKings and the total amount of deposits they’ve placed on the platform.

“With the NCAA Tournament right around the corner and the NASCAR season in full throttle, we are thrilled to be launching our top-rated sportsbook app in North Carolina,” the President for DraftKings North America, Matt Kalish, said. “‘The Tar Heel State’ is home to a passionate fanbase and some of the most iconic college basketball programs of all time, making this an exciting time to introduce legalized online sports betting. We’re proud to be working alongside NASCAR as our market access partner and look forward to enhancing the fan experience across North Carolina with a fun, safe and seamless sports betting product.”

To celebrate the launch of legalized mobile sports betting going live in North Carolina, DraftKings, in collaboration with NASCAR, is teaming up with Carolina Panthers legend Greg Olsen for a ceremonial first bet on March 11, 2024. The event will take place at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte and feature remarks from Olsen as well as DraftKings Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Elbaum and North Carolina State Representative Zack Hawkins.

Advertisement

In addition to hosting the ceremonial first bet in North Carolina on March 11, DraftKings is also recognizing Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in March, led by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to increase public awareness of problem gaming and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services. DraftKings works closely with the NCPG to highlight the company’s responsible gaming initiatives and resources such as cool offs, limitations, key partnerships and mental health services.

Both active members of the American Gaming Association (AGA), DraftKings and NASCAR are committed to promoting the AGA’s Have A Game Plan: Bet Responsibly public service campaign, which educates customers on responsible gaming best practices such as establishing and adhering to a budget and only engaging with legal, regulated operators. DraftKings is committed to creating inclusive and responsible pathways for people to build, create, imagine and innovate through the DraftKings SERVES program.

Eligible customers in North Carolina can access the latest betting markets and more by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app available via iOS and Android. DraftKings is committed to providing customers with resources to help bet responsibly. Customers can review DraftKings’ responsible gaming tools here. For additional problem gaming support or services, North Carolina customers can call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Continue Reading

Andrzej Hyla Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan

Wazdan enters its next Canadian province with Loto‑Québec integration

Published

on

wazdan-enters-its-next-canadian-province-with-loto‑quebec-integration

 

Wazdan, the inventive developer of thrilling casino games, has introduced its portfolio to Loto-Québec through Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform, marking its premiere in the Canadian province.

This achievement underscores the provider’s dedication to the North American market, highlighting its ongoing expansion efforts in the region.

Players in Québec can now access Wazdan’s top-performing titles on the crown corporation’s online gaming platform, lotoquebec.com. Among these are beloved games like 9 Coins™ Grand Gold Edition, 9 Coins™ 1000 Edition, Hot Slot™: 777 Crown, Magic Spins™, and Hot Slot™: Mystery Jackpot Joker.

Through this integration, Wazdan brings its engagement-boosting features such as Hold the Jackpot™, Cash Infinity™, Collect to Infinity™, and customisable Volatility Levels™ to an even broader audience in Québec.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan said: “With our sights firmly set on North American expansion, our market entry in Québec is a momentous occasion for Wazdan as we continue to bring innovative experiences to more players than ever before.

“Wazdan and Loto-Québec have a shared vision for delivering fresh content that puts users at the heart and we have no doubt our games will be received with tremendous success by their players.”

Advertisement

François Hardy, Product and Innovation Director at Loto‑Québec added: “As the sole iGaming operator in Québec, we pride ourselves on offering titles that truly add value to our platform. We are happy to bring Wazdan’s games to our players.”

Continue Reading

Canada

BMM Testlabs Promotes Jean Corriveau to Senior Vice President of Global Quality Assurance and BMM Canada Regional Executive

Published

on

bmm-testlabs-promotes-jean-corriveau-to-senior-vice-president-of-global-quality-assurance-and-bmm-canada-regional-executive

 

Longtime BMM QA leader named to oversee Companyߣs largest testlab.

BMM Testlabs (BMM or the Company), the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and certification services, today announced the promotion of Jean Corriveau to Senior Vice President of Global Quality Assurance and BMM Canada Regional Executive.

In this expanded role, Corriveau will oversee the Companyߣs global product quality assurance efforts, ensuring high standards of excellence across all BMM operations. Additionally, as the BMM Canada Regional Executive, Corriveau will spearhead BMMߣs global product QA strategic initiatives to drive growth, innovation, and excellence.

Corriveau’s 23-year trajectory in the gaming industry underscores his expertise and adaptability. His journey began as a software developer, from which he quickly advanced to Business Development Manager at BMM. He continued his upward trajectory when he became the Vice President of Quality Operations for BMM’s largest global lab based in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Advertisement

BMM Innovation Group Chief Operations Officer Kara Matthew said, “With Jean at the helm, BMM Moncton transformed into a premier global QA center of excellence, showcasing his skill in driving growth and innovation. Weߣre thrilled to see Jean continue to advance and take ownership of our global QA services.”

Corriveau said, “I am excited to step into the role of Senior Vice President of Global QA and BMM Canada Regional Executive at BMM, especially with the opportunity to lead such an outstanding team. I am focused on surpassing client expectations through our quality, velocity, reliability, innovation, and customer-centricity.”

 

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania