The Paris Olympic Games have just kicked off with a grand opening ceremony along the river Seine, capturing the attention of a vast audience, including those not typically interested in sports. This event transformed the heart of Paris into a spectacular stage, showcasing the evolution of sports events into full-fledged entertainment experiences.
In the past, attending a sports event meant watching the game and cheering for your favorite team. Today, big sporting tournaments have become multi-sensory experiences, designed to captivate and entertain fans from start to finish.
Just before the Paris Olympics, the esports world announced the inclusion of gaming disciplines in the Olympic Esports Games.
My company had the privilege of working with ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) from 2014 until the COVID-19 pandemic, designing arenas and technical productions for their tournaments and opening ceremonies. At that time, these ceremonies included light shows and videos highlighting key moments from the previous year, representing a significant upgrade from earlier events.
However, despite the growth of esports, opening ceremonies have remained relatively unchanged. While there have been attempts to innovate, the format remains similar across major events.
The Show Aspect of Esports
Esports tournaments have always leaned more towards being a spectacle than traditional sports, focusing on games and players. Despite this, the community often argues against the inclusion of opening or half-time shows in esports.
Opening ceremonies are memorable because of their grandeur, cultural significance, and ability to unite people. They create lasting memories even for those who do not follow the competitions. Esports has the opportunity to develop equally captivating opening ceremonies by leveraging advanced technology, creative storytelling, and gaming culture.
Future Prospects
Esports can create unique and modern opening ceremonies by involving talented creators and artists, and collaborating with non-gaming show producers. This approach can lead to original and spectacular events that stand out from traditional sports openings.
While it may be challenging to add more first-league tournaments to the calendar, competing for the best show, not just the biggest prize pool, could set new standards in the esports industry.
By embracing creativity and innovation, esports opening ceremonies can become grand spectacles that captivate a global audience.
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