Over 450 million people will view an eSports event in 2019, and while many of those people will watch online, design firm HOK, and SAP, a software company, have released a new report exploring the future of the eSports venue, one that blends online connectivity with a physical space.
âPurpose-built venues have historically had a significant impact in establishing a sport in a culture and community,â said Nuno Guerreiro, architect at HOK and co-author of the report, in a release. âBecause of the length of these events and technological requirements, e-sports have a unique audience seeking more connected, hands-on experiences. Architects and designers have an opportunity to rethink every aspect of the traditional sports and entertainment environmentâfrom a buildingâs location and form down to the seat.â
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See Also:Â Gamers paradise: The rise of eSports arenas
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The report touches on some key design features such as:
â A non-traditional seating bowl
â An immersive environment
â Reimagined geometries and spatial organization
â More intimacy
â A blending of technology with the built environment
â Hospitality-driven experiences
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The blending of technology with the built environment is especially important, as eSports viewers tend to be younger, tech-savvy individuals who are not willing to completely forgo the digital experience eSports offers to physically attend an event. Seats that have connectivity for VR headsets and the ability for a digital avatar to sit within the physical bowl of an arena are just some features the design firm is exploring
For the full report, click here.
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