A local eSports event organizer thinks Windsor has an opportunity to play an integral part in the growth of an industry that's just starting to hit the mainstream.
Shaun Byrne runs Kappa Gaming Lounge, which opened on the corner of Tecumseh Rd. and Lincoln Rd. in August of 2015, and also heads up eSport Gaming Events, which organizes tournaments across Ontario, Montreal and in Michigan.
After a League of Legends tournament packed the Air Canada Centre in Toronto nearly two weeks ago, he says the appetite for eSports is growing locally.
"We probably won't be able to run something like that League of Legends final just yet," explains Byrne. "But if we were able to bring in some pros for a meet and greet or something like that, I'm sure we could bring out a thousand people who would be interested in meeting those [pros]."
The #NALCSFinals could not have had a more bonkers crowd. They were deafening at times. ~CM #lockin #NALCS pic.twitter.com/6W9ktWKbW2
— Scrub League (@ScrubLeagueCast) August 29, 2016
There's been a gaming competition run in Windsor for the last decade called No Mans LAN, which started out with about 50 participants and has grown to include up to 400. Through his lounge as well, Bryne can see eSports gaining momentum in Windsor-Essex.
"Some parents would bring their kids, and they were treating it just like you would a house league hockey team or something like that." He adds, "I see that growing in the future as it becomes a bit more accepted and the stigma [of playing too many video games] wears off a little bit."
Byrne would like to eventually see gaming leagues in cities such as Windsor, London and Kitchener, and then see a competitive circuit form between the regions.
Already, major gaming tournaments being broadcast online are getting more worldwide viewers than the MLB World Series, and prize pools are reaching upwards of $20-million, according to the eSports Gaming Events coordinator.
He admits it's a tough industry to build a career in at the moment, but believes now is the time to jump on the bandwagon.
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