Franchise Esports Leagues Dead? How Can Gaming Power Social Impact?
Poll: I think franchise esports still has merit
Franchising in esports competitions has had a turbulent past, from big-money League of Legends slot sales to the closure of GFINITY in Australia after a short showing.
After I wrote this poll, the Overwatch League announced its shutdown. Sifting through comments online, many aren't surprised given the lacklustre launch of Overwatch 2 and the documented struggles for growth the league overall had experienced.
When I talk to people about franchising the replies I often get are:
What do you think?
Poll results so far:
GUEST: The Intersection of Gaming and Social Impact.
Guest: Mitchel Reed, MLS - CEO at UKnightedXP, Inc.
The Intersection of Gaming and Social Impact.
Positive social impact has been my focus since formally entering the gaming and media scene in 2018 during Hurricane Michael. You can choose any industry and then begin listing all the important reasons why things like community, leadership, charity, and anything social impact-related are so incredibly important to our lives.
From a community perspective, I’ll share a few key areas I assess are imperative when considering ways to add value and sustainability to our lives and organizations.
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Cultural Relevance
It’s a great term, such a great term that it may be considered a buzzphrase at this point. However, it rings true in its relationship with gaming and gaming culture. I cannot begin to tell you how often we have spoken with elected officials, from the local level to Washington, DC and beyond, who are concerned with how to increase engagement.
Their concern and reliance on modern ideas should be commended because the many forms of gaming, including mobile, console, PC, tabletop, and trading cards to name a few, can be the catalyst that provides all of what they seek and more.
Tech Equity
It is too often assumed that everyone has access to a phone, computer, or the internet. Currently, modernization efforts to reduce costs and increase scalability have resulted in rapid changes. Companies are increasing their digital capabilities by implementing automation, artificial intelligence, cloud-based architecture, digital twins, simulations, downloadable content, stream services, etc.
The impact of not being able to access technology on an equal playing field can change lives. A simple google query on the topic, and if you elect to go down that particular ‘rabbit hole’ you will soon discover it is a serious issue with potentially life-altering consequences. It adversely impacts agriculture, education, safety, and everything about daily life in some way, shape, or form.
Thankfully, there are so many gaming options that do not require technology such as trading card games and tabletop gaming. When considering using gaming for social impact tech equity is an important planning consideration.
Rapid Advancement of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity)
An acronym I learned during an Agile training is V.U.C.A. It is a framework that is intended to assist with weighing complexities associated with rapid change. This is especially true when looking at overall strategy and strategic planning. In this case, to help navigate what I call the ‘chaos of the information age’. Gaming and gaming culture possess unique characteristics and strengths that are important to consider.
We highlighted many of them in this piece. Gaming is, arguably, the most powerful, scalable pass time by general category and unrealized overall potential in the modern world. Its culturally relevant capabilities offer numerous solutions to modern problems and provide enhancements for everyday life if they are properly understood, applied, and leveraged.
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1yThere is a place for relegation and franchise leagues. At the end of the day broadcasters want exclusivity, sponsors want exclusivity and teams need exclusivity to be able to deliver to their commercial partners. Commercial partners want local eyeballs and an ROI. Hard for a team to deliver that if every season they don't know if they are in or out.
Founder of LocalEsports.gg and Product Asset Manager at Arrow Electronics
1yI don’t like franchise leagues, perhaps because we don’t have them in Europe. I believe this system creates barriers for new players and teams with small budgets to grow, as the teams in the league can take or buy their players. They (esports leagues) should draw inspiration from European Football, where there are many stories of small teams beating the top dogs or coming from lower leagues and making their way to the top. The media coverage thrives on both the triumphs of the top-tier teams and the ones who might go down. For me, it’s “Merits before Money.” Merit-based competition ensures a league that’s unpredictable and thrilling, with new faces and new stories. If you’re good, you stay; if you’re bad, go improve yourself. We need to reward skill and teamwork. A promotion and relegation system like in European football could help the esports narrative and competition. Let’s let the players’ dreams come true by merit.
Marketing | Gaming | Trust & Safety
1yMan, Mitchel is the greatest. Love that guy.
Director of Esports Operations • Esports Advisor • Collegiate Esports Expert • Board Member • Advisory Council • Girl Dad • MSM
1yI think they have merit, but only if you keep players for more than a couple years and build a league that people can actually make a career out of. Like if the NFL only had players until they were 22, nobody would watch anymore because you can’t become invested in the story, and people are nothing if not story driven. Plus…we have to figure out a way to create something not completely owned by the publisher. When shareholders can pull the plug, it’s not a viable sport. I’ll stop there for now lol. Interesting read!
Realtor Associate @ Next Trend Realty LLC | HAR REALTOR, IRS Tax Preparer
1yThanks for Sharing.