Canada

Cutting-Edge Display Technology Makes eSports an Arena-Worthy Event

Published

3 years ago

October 1, 2021

Contribution by Aaron Addison, the in-house gaming expert for LG Business Solutions USA, a leading provider of advanced display technologies to the eSports industry.

Over the last decade eSports has blossomed from a cottage industry into a global phenomenon that attracts tens of millions of viewers and has encouraged major corporate sponsorships of events, competitors and teams. So far, most of the infrastructure used to host eSports tournaments and recreational events has relied on ad-hoc, temporary installations at existing arenas, concert venues and convention halls.

Displays Offer Up-Close Action

The exploding popularity of eSports competitions and competitors is evidenced by Twitch accounts that rival the largest social media stars in terms of engagement and viewing time. The massive viewership and potential for advertising and sales programs, not to mention local investments and cultural pride, are now attracting the attention of colleges and cities in the same way that traditional sports arenas and entertainment venues do.

Nearly all massive public events today, from concerts to sports to dance clubs, employ digital screens to help large crowds get closer to the action and create excitement. For eSports, large digital screens are actually required for in-person viewing, since guests sit far from competitors and therefore cannot see what is happening on their monitors as they play. Utilizing the latest display technologies including DVLED (direct-view light-emitting diode), LCD video walls and the inclusion of many smaller displays throughout a facility, event organizers, developers and building designers are beginning to focus on how to maximize engagement and entertainment value at live eSports events.

Developers See Big Business in eSports

It’s clear that large displays and systems underscore the importance of the electrical and technological infrastructure needed to create eSports arenas. Many developers are interested in arenas that can offer VR game experiences that combine professional-level events with consumer-level play and invite all guests to act as both player and fan.

Meanwhile, competitors are even more reliant on bleeding-edge display technology, requiring gaming monitors with small latency, fast refresh speeds and accurate color and contrast capabilities to compete at the highest level. Essentially, an event or space that does not use the absolute top-of-the-line visual experience for players and patrons will have difficulty providing a professional level of competition or player experience.

Physical Attendance Beats At-Home Viewing

Twitch streamers and competition leagues such as the Ultimate Gaming Championship continue to increase the popularity of eSports viewing. Even if at-home fans are watching through VR systems, they cannot get the same experience as attending a safe and secure live event with hundreds or thousands of eager, like-minded fans. Existing stadiums have so far provided satisfactory infrastructure and accommodations, such as a Fortnite championship held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City, the world’s largest tennis stadium.

As competition leagues and their viewerships grow, more purpose-built arenas may become desirable for cities and municipalities to attract events and economic activity. As these spaces can be designed to act as large, full-time interactive ‘arcades’, they may prove to be even more profitable and popular than traditional stadia which still only offer spectating alone, not participation.

The trend of eSports and video gaming popularity in general have followed an upward trajectory since their introduction in the 1970s and show no sign of slowing. Through thoughtful integration of cutting-edge digital displays on both a macro- and micro-scale, the future of large public eSports leagues and competitions may soon rival the fervor and economics of traditional sporting events and stadia.

Canada

Play’n GO announces partnership with Canadian operator Loto-Québec

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

play’n-go-announces-partnership-with-canadian-operator-loto-quebec

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced a partnership with Canadian operator Loto-Québec, launching the Swedish gaming giant’s games into another Canadian province.

Already active in another Canadian province , this partnership sees Play’n GO’s content available in the province of Québec exclusively with Loto-Québec, a state-owned corporation, where online players now have access to titles such as Tome of Madness.

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer, Play’n GO said: “At Play’n GO, we have always been clear in our vision to be active in every regulated market in the world, and this partnership with Loto-Québec is the next step on that journey.

“Our past success in Canada gives us confidence that players in Québec will enjoy the best Play’n GO content, and we look forward to many years of success with Loto-Québec in the province.”

Stéphane Martel, Head of Product and Innovation at Loto-Québec added: “As the sole iGaming operator in Québec, we pride ourselves on offering titles that truly add value to our platform, lotoquebec.com. We are happy to bring Play’n GO games to our players.”

Canada

Court Decision Upholds iGaming Ontario’s Model

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

court-decision-upholds-igaming-ontario’s-model

iGaming Ontario has welcomed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court, which found that iGaming Ontario’s model is consistent with the Criminal Code and that iGaming Ontario is conducting and managing igaming in the province.

“We have always been confident in our model and are pleased that the court has ruled in our favour, and that Ontarians can continue to play with confidence in our regulated igaming market,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.

“Ontario’s model meets the requirements and contributes to the public good by protecting players, their data and their funds, while helping to fund priority public services in Ontario, and bringing well-paid, high-tech jobs and economic development to Ontario,” Otton added.

In dismissing the application brought forward by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), the Superior Court found that iGaming Ontario is the “operating mind” behind Ontario’s competitive igaming market in accordance with the conduct and manage requirements of the Criminal Code.

iGaming Ontario will continue to conduct and manage igaming as it has since the launch of the regulated market on April 4, 2022.

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Appoints Renowned iGaming Executive Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

bragg-gaming-appoints-renowned-igaming-executive-neill-whyte-as-chief-commercial-officer

Bragg Gaming Group, a global iGaming technology and content provider, announced that Neill Whyte has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective 1st May 2024, establishing a new global commercial structure at the Company and bolstering its leadership team.

Whyte brings over 18 years of experience in the iGaming sector, most recently in the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Digital Gaming Corporation’s (DGC), B2B iGaming Division. After joining DGC in early 2020, he was responsible for the commercially successful launch and growth of its content distribution business in the US.

Prior to joining DGC, Whyte held multiple positions in the gaming industry including as Head of Business Development at Isle of Man-based iGaming specialist Apricot Investments, as Board Member at Swedish iGaming product and Lottery content distributor Genera Networks, and in various senior roles over eleven years at leading iGaming content supplier Microgaming, including as Head of Product Channels.

In his new role with Bragg, Whyte will be tasked with leading the Company’s global commercial teams to drive growth across all of the Company’s product verticals which include proprietary online casino content from its Atomic Slot Lab, Indigo Magic and Wild Streak Gaming studios, exclusive content from content partners, HUB a leading casino content aggregation platform, Fuze player engagement, as well as its award-winning player account management (PAM) platform and turnkey solutions.

Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg, said: “I am very pleased to be announcing today the appointment of Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg. His iGaming product and market knowledge, together with his record in driving growth from developing successful and mutually beneficial commercial partnerships are exceptional.

“As we leverage our broad content and product portfolio to grow in existing and new markets, including in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe, Neill’s unique combination of knowledge, skills and experience in this sector are a perfect fit for our ambitions at Bragg.”

Neill Whyte, Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg, said: “It’s an honor to join Matevž and the wider teams at Bragg already in place across North America, Europe and in India. I have been impressed with the depth and quality of the content, product and technology offerings at Bragg, and its ability to rapidly adapt, certify and deploy this content and technology in newly regulated markets is a distinct advantage.

“We also have a huge opportunity to grow our footprint with our existing customers in markets in which we are already established. Our content and product roadmaps are second to none, and I’m planning to get on the road in the coming weeks and months to meet the team and our customers and to start building for the next stage of mutual growth. I can’t wait to get going.”