LONDON, September 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Gfinity plc (AIM: GFIN) and Ove Arup & Partners Ltd today
announce a partnership to design a world-leading integrated eSports
facility. The two companies will combine their skills and resources
to develop a blueprint for a scalable, specialist playing,
watching, training, learning and broadcast facility which will
enable gamers of all levels to come together, share experiences and
compete. Both companies are confident that their thought leadership
and technical expertise in creating the blueprint will lead to an
organisation choosing to bring the concept to life, delivering the
world's most advanced integrated eSports facility.
The increased interest amongst game publishers, rights holders
and sports franchises for dedicated eSports facilities reflects the
continued growth in gaming and the explosion of participation in
both competitive gaming from the amateur level, usually through
online play, through to professional eSports which culminate in
live event finals. The global gaming and eSports communities number
1.93 billion and 368 million respectively(i). The number of people
competing and watching eSports is growing 17% year on year(ii).
Chris Dite, Ove Arup and
Partners Ltd, said: "The latest thinking on
integrated eSports facilities is high on the agenda of a number of
our largest clients. The focus of the project is to create
facilities that exceed the expectations of the professional
players, the aspirational professionals, the amateurs who want to
compete in a fun, safe environment and the fans who support their
teams. No one understands this audience better than Gfinity."
Dite added: "It is not just about the arena where the stars
play. It also includes the learning, fitness and nutritional
centres that they need to access to maintain a healthy, balanced
lifestyle. The facility will also include residential spaces where
thousands of aspirational professionals can come throughout the
year to learn their craft. As specialist global leaders in sports
architecture and with extensive experience in the field, we look
forward to working closely with Gfinity, to achieve the facility of
the future."
Garry Cook, Executive
Chairman, Gfinity said: "We are delighted to be working with
Arup to design the world's most advanced integrated eSports
facility. The eSports professional and aspiring amateur learning
their craft have similar needs to their counterparts in a host of
other sports. Environments that optimise their ability to play and
train to their highest potential is the difference between winning
and losing."
He added: "We will draw on our experiences of owning and
managing Europe's first eSports
arena in London and engage with
our community, which numbers tens of millions of passionate eSports
players and fans, to hear what they have to say. The final design
will be informed from the ground up. This is another example that
the eSports industry is exciting, growing, full of opportunity and
is now."
Announcement Video Conent:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17YI4V7lEYhKiZDsDRFtYAveRaqLVk_oW/view?usp=sharing
About Gfinity
Gfinity (LON: GFIN) is a
world-leading eSports solutions provider. Its business to
business platform, "Powered by Gfinity",
delivers managed services to game publishers, sports rights
holders, commercial partners and media companies. Gfinity creates
bespoke solutions, including competitions and industry leading
content production, connecting its partners with the eSports
community in authentic and innovative ways. Partnerships include EA
SPORTS, F1 Esports Series, Halo World Championship and the
Forza Racing Championship.
Gfinity connects directly with competitive gaming consumers
through its owned competition platform, the "Gfinity
Elite Series". The Series enables competitive gamers to
be part of the Gfinity community, testing themselves and developing
new skills, while providing a pathway for those who aspire to a
career in eSports to join a leading professional team.
"Gfinity Elite Series" content is distributed
through linear and digital channels and is enjoyed by tens of
millions of eSports fans around the world.
All Gfinity managed service solutions and owned competitions are
underpinned by its proprietary technology platform delivering a
level playing field for all competitors and supporting scalable
multi-format leagues, ladders and knock out competitions.
More information about Gfinity is available
at http://www.gfinityplc.com
About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world's
most prominent projects in the built environment and across
industry. Working in over 140 countries Arup has more than 14,000
planners, designers, engineers and consultants delivering
innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion.
http://www.arup.com
Note to editors:
- Newzoo - 2018 global eSports market report
- Newzoo - 2018 global eSports market report