Wake up samurai, we have a game to win!

From the millions of people playing world-building games like Minecraft, through to the smash-hit cultural sensation that is Fortnite, there’s no denying the world’s become obsessed with video games. But it’s not just about ‘playing’ anymore. With the rise of new streaming services, video games have become a lot more captivating to watch as a spectator sport. Platforms like Twitch, Smashcast and YouTube have fueled the rise of gaming content as a popular streaming medium alongside TV, film, and music…

The game is worth it, literally and figuratively. E-sports, or competitive online video gaming, has developed rapidly from a niche product towards becoming a mainstream phenomenon, attracting more and more stakeholders along the way. According to Deloitte Insights’ “Let’s Play!” report, the gaming market in Europe in 2018 was worth EUR 240 million. PayPal estimates that by 2023, the global e-sports market will be generating USD 1.6 billion.

Popular games can take years to develop and produce and often have budgets that are comparable to those of Hollywood blockbusters. And, as recent days show, they’re even capable of stealing the show from the major cultural and political events:

But there’s more at stake than just money. The rich social component behind video games opens up new, exciting opportunities for the Education sector. Haven’t started an e-sports program at your school or college? It’s time to step up your game – see why!

For years, colleges in America have been offering scholarships in e-sports, and now more and more European schools and universities are following suit, stepping forward with e-sports courses or integrating online gaming into their curriculum. And not without good reason. E-sports programs provide a myriad of benefits, such as improved student engagement and overall campus experience, developing new career opportunities, fostering interest in STEM, and helping students develop soft skills.

Randy Sieminski, director of athletics, recreation, and intramurals for SUNY Canton, home to the first varsity e-sports squad in New York, says that his college’s e-sports students have a greater affinity toward the college. “Similar to student-athletes or students in any group or club, our e-sports students have higher GPAs and retention rates.”

On the academic side, e-sports can also lead to new programs and majors, along with helping students improve their soft skills. For example, SUNY Canton now offers degrees in game design and development, technological communication, cybersecurity, and graphics and multimedia.

The industry provides careers beyond those just for gamers and game developers, too. Marketers, broadcasters, and account managers who all help fuel the Esports sector will continue to be in high demand as today’s students graduate. “We have employers who are seeking students who can strategize and are resilient,” says Molly Mott, dean of academic support services and instructional technologies at SUNY Canton. “Esports helps a lot with these skills.”

Let’s say our school wants to have a shot at e-sports. How do we start? Well, there are three key components to that equation:

The first step sounds relatively easy. Given the current hype around online gaming, it’s pretty safe to imagine that once we start offering e-sports program, the students will come running.

If your existing computer lab is decently equipped, the second step shouldn’t be much of a hassle, either. Some schools are creating dedicated gaming areas outfitted with advanced gaming tools and the latest technology, but the investment doesn’t have to be huge – just make sure you have enough memory on your school’s PCs and you should be ready to compete in all major titles such as League of Legends, Fortnite or Counter Strike.

The third and final step is making sure your IT infrastructure can support the initiative. To that end, it’s essential to invest in a gaming-quality Wi-Fi network.

What is even deadlier than your enemies’ spells, bullets and blades? Game lags. Since advanced gaming technology works only as well as the network that powers it, the first step in any deployment process is enabling a resilient, secure, and low-latency network that ensures high-performance connectivity. Being at a disadvantage due to poor network infrastructure, when every millisecond matters, is not an option.

In SUNY Canton’s case, to address these challenges and ensure its e-sports program was set for success, the Extreme’s suite of solutions was deployed. This included high-bandwidth, low-latency Wi-Fi and ExtremeSwitching for high-performance connectivity. Extreme Management Center and ExtremeControl were installed to simplify control over network activity anytime, anywhere.

The college also deployed ExtremeAnalytics for increased visibility and insights on users and devices on the network. Using network analytics, IT staff can keep track of bandwidth distribution across campus and ensure arenas are prioritized and receive proper bandwidth during games for a seamless experience. Wi-Fi network analytics are also essential to ensure quality of experience. They enable IT staff to manage and monitor all connected devices, including unauthorized devices or connections that could interfere with the game.

Beyond ensuring proper bandwidth and reliable connectivity, there are unique environmental characteristics in gaming facilities that IT teams must account for. To get ahead of these inherent challenges, schools can take advantage of AI-powered networks that automatically adapt to changing situations and learn over time. For example, Wi-Fi signals can change based on how many people are in a room and even what they’re wearing. AI algorithms can ensure that despite the changing characteristics of the environment, every user gets lightning-fast connectivity without delays or glitches. From a staffing perspective, AI can help schools with limited IT staff save money by taking on these formerly labor-intensive optimization tasks.

E-sports is a rapidly emerging success story all across Europe. With many events across the globe cancelled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, online gaming has seen a breakneck rise in popularity, as people look for alternative sources of entertainment.

But online gaming can be much, much more than just entertainment. With the adoption of e-sports programs, schools and universities can strengthen the connection and improve relationships with online students while at the same time creating new pathways for future career success.