The phenomenon that is eSports has taken the world by storm and there is plenty more for the sport to achieve in the future. The online competitive gaming action has won over millions of fans worldwide and has taken its place as a mainstream sport. Tournaments are held regularly in all corners of the globe, prize pools have risen into the millions, fans turn out in their droves to take in the action on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. There is no end to its success. 

https://www.fifa-infinity.com/fifa-21/analysis-fifa-esports-in-asia/

eSports has become such a significant factor in everyday life that universities around the world have started to offer eSports as a degree. But what does it take to implement eSports as a degree on a university campus and will we perhaps see more universities follow suit in the future? 

For those unfamiliar with the sport and profession, eSports as an entity is a complex combination of many different aspects that brings together the overall production and sport. What started off merely as an online activity, now demands full live events to showcase its action. An overview of the main games played competitively can be found at Cloudbet but the spectacle produced at a live event is formed by a multitude of different people performing different tasks to put on the show, to broadcast the show, to market the show. 

All these aspects can also be found and studied within an eSports degree. The first task for a university to wrap its head around is the different aspects and professions that one can go into in eSports. To break it down further, we can perhaps divide these aspects into two branches; the behind-the-scenes work and on the stage action. Universities must be prepared to offer business, marketing, events, broadcasting, and media modules for those looking to contribute to the spectacle. The benefit of this side of the show is that these subjects can be taught from a classroom or lecture theatre.

However, for those looking to take a more hands on approach to the gaming, and work a career in player coaching or psychology, or playing, there comes a different challenge for universities. Space is the main issue and allocating an area with the correct power, acoustic and cooling capabilities to run a full gaming operation is not the easiest task.

eSports and all the subjects encompassed within it could form a university by itself. We might even see Google-style campuses for eSports in the future too. But for a university, there are many decisions to be made if they want to follow the growing trend and offer eSports as a degree.