Esports Awards brings global gaming industry professionals to Las Vegas
I looked forward to the Esports Awards coming to Las Vegas for months so I could see up close what the world of esports looks like.
Sure, I played video games as a kid, dressed up like my favorite characters and competed against my cousins on their Nintendo Entertainment System after school, playing Super Mario Bros, but this is a whole other world.
I've covered stories on esports venue grand openings here in Las Vegas and attended tournaments that filled arenas, offering prizes in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for the top players. I remain fascinated that you can make a living playing video games professionally. The Esports Awards gave me a front row seat to the community, industry and culture of esports.
The Esports Awards presented by Lexus was held on December 13 in the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas and it did not disappoint.
For the critics who don't take esports seriously, insert another favorite pastime that used to be considered “just a game” and look at what the highest paid professional basketball, soccer, football and tennis players make. Examine the production value that goes into broadcasting those competitions each year. Esports is no different.
Esports market reports calculate that the global esports market is valued at $1.384 billion this year, and that number is forecasted to increase to $1.866 billion by 2025, according to DemandSage data.
When talking to players, developers, cosplayers, mods, product managers, and other creatives in the esports industry at pre-show events, I thought back to how some didn't understand how I wanted to be an artist when I was younger or think I could make a living as a commercial photographer - until I did. Years later, I won college photography contests hosted by top camera brands, had my work exhibited in galleries and got paid to produce marketing campaigns. If you have a passion and commit years of study and practice to the art, you can become a professional and make a career of just about anything.
Thankfully, my friend Mari came with me to the Esports Awards and further explained, “The esports awards encapsulate fans, players, and those behind the scenes. Think about it like this — there are entertainers like the Harlem Globetrotters, NBA pro players of course, and then the casters, hosts, and producers that present the games to the fans. The esports ecosystem is far and wide and it takes a ton of creatives and pros to grow and uplift our industry,” said Mari Takahashi, Actor, Gamer, and Host.
There are many moving parts to the professional world of esports and it was on full display at the Esports Awards.
Founded in 2015, the Esports Awards brought its prestigious ceremony from London to Las Vegas. The show recognizes esports excellence across six overarching categories including:
BEHIND THE CURTAIN
The Esports Awards was more than an awards show, it was three days of networking, fun, celebration and content creation. Events included The Esports Awards Open, powered by the Golf Gaming Club. The following day, LVL Up Las Vegas offered two days of B2B events and insights from some of the industry’s leading executives.
“This year we set ambitious goals to make the 2022 Esports Awards a true milestone event with a new location, new awards and extended events offering," said Michael Ashford, CEO, Esports Awards.
The climax was the black-tie ceremony featuring legendary hosts and an all-star lineup.
Over 40 awards were given out across two days of events, shining the spotlight on well deserving professionals in gaming. World-class performers and innovators from every corner of the industry worked hard throughout the year and this end-of-year ceremony was what many call the Oscars of esports.
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Roland and Twila True Fine Jewelry hosted a private event for gaming industry professionals to network ahead of the Esports Awards. They displayed a custom gold shield headset engraved for the "Creative of the Year" award. Their hospitality suite activation also gave a pre-launch preview of their first video game live-streaming product.
Some of the most prominent brands, organizations, and influencers from the esports industry were in attendance and they mingled and reminisced about their own history with video games, celebrating how far the community they love so much has come.
I briefly spoke to a Mr. Ahman Green, NFL legend, head coach, gamer, and host about the history of esports. He brought out how this is not just a game anymore.
"My favorite part of the Esports Awards is bringing everybody into a new world, if you’re still learning about the world of esports, and how important it is. Actually getting it to a point where they can take esports serious. I think that’s a big motive for anybody like myself in the industry, to let people know we’re here, we’re real, we’re tangible and we’re doing something just like other entertainment worlds are, like Hollywood, like traditional sports. We're having these events and giving recognition to the best of the people who do what they do in our industry...we’re legit! We’re not kids in the basement playing video games anymore," said Ahman Green.
While attending pre-show events, I met members of local esports teams, networked with esports journalists and even those who cosplay to embody their favorite characters. I learned what it means for them to attend an awards ceremony where they can collaborate with the esports community and confirm the exciting part they play in its story and future.
"I can safely say that we have turned our dreams into a reality. It's great to see so many people gather to celebrate what has been a truly incredible year. I wanted to say a massive congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone that has played a part in this year's Esports Awards. See you next year!” added Ashford."
ESPORTS AWARDS SHOW PRODUCTION & WINNERS
The Esports Awards took the big stage on December 13 with a lavish ceremony hosted by legendary hosts Eefje 'Sjokz" Depoortere and Alex "Goldenboy" Mendez.
VIP attendees included Streamer and Content Creator Ludwig, CEO of Fluxo Bruno "Nobru" Goes, Co-Owner of 100 Thieves and Streamer Rachell ‘Valkyrae’ Hofstetter, and Fortnite Player for Sentinels Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf.
Guests enjoyed a musical performance from cinematic-rock band City of Sound, who recently took to the stage at the Rocket League World Championship, and rapper bbno$.
Among the biggest winners was Riot Games who picked up the awards for Esports Publisher of the Year, Esports Broadcast/Production Team of the Year and Esports Game of the Year for VALORANT.
LOUD also won big picking up the awards for Esports Team of the Year and Esports Creative Team of the Year. Elsewhere PUBG MOBILE won Esports Mobile Game of The Year and Matthew 'Nadeshot' Haag took home the trophy for Esports Personality of the Year.
The night played host to many show-stopping moments, including Lexus showcasing its LC 500 and NX 350 (100 Thieves NX) cars, the unveiling of exclusive League of Legends Wild Rift themed cans from Coca-Cola and charity partner Leukemia and Lymphoma Society smashing its fundraising goal of $50K USD.
Oakley was the Official Eyewear Partner for this year’s event and provided guests with exclusive merchandise at both the Esports Awards Open and ceremony. Winners also received a pair of Gold Kato glasses.
“Esports Awards is a best-in-class partner who shares our continued vision of inspiring the next generation of gamers, celebrating and honoring the world’s most respected names in the Esports and Gaming industry,” said Felipe Caetano Formiga, Global Gaming & Esports Partnerships at Oakley.
During the ceremony, Matt “MobileMatt” Rutledge took to the stage to announce the launch of the Mobile Awards.
Founded by the Esports Awards, and Matt Rutledge, the Mobile Awards is a new initiative with the aim to document, recognize, and reward excellence in the mobile industry. The Mobile Awards will host an annual ceremony starting in 2023 called The Mobies to celebrate and recognize top-class performance and innovation.
The Esports Awards was streamed live from Resorts World on its social media platforms and the replay is available for those who weren't able to attend.
The complete list of Esports Awards winners are as follows:
The 2022 Esports Awards were in partnership with these brands: Lexus, Verizon, Amazon Music, Coca-Cola, Plarium, AimLab, Tyson Food, Roland, Secretlab, Truman Factory, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Encore, Blinkfire Analytics, Sizzle Creative, Skullz, BALANCED, CTRL, Crocs, Encore, Oakley & Logitech G.
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