JUST GAMING Everything Else is

Esports Takes On Competition

Let's face it; human beings are competitive. It’s just in our nature. Competitive behavior is played out daily in bowling and family entertainment centers worldwide. Friends and family compete with one another to get the highest score on the bowling lanes. People of all ages go after each other in the laser tag arena, and social outings are often centered around who can perform the best at axe throwing or other attractions.

But another form of competition is heating up, and your center should be able to take advantage of it. It’s called eSports, and you can think of it as competitive gaming.

“ESports is the biggest phenomenon that most people haven’t heard of,” said Jan Goetgeluk, founder and CEO of Virtuix, the Omni Arena virtual reality attraction manufacturer.

Enticing Repeat Visits

There are several different forms that eSports can take in an FEC. But they all share one thing: money or prizes are awarded to the top performers. “This is all about playing off of peoples’ desire to compete,” Goetgeluk said. “You are allowing people to compete for prizes and driving repeat customers to your center time and again.”

By Daniel Ellman

That means increased profit for you – and improved visibility for your center. “These types of competitions add a new dynamic to your attractions without needing to make any improvements or changes whatsoever," Goetgeluk said.

Many forms, functions

→ So, what do eSports look like in practice? That depends. Some eSports are played on high-end gaming PCs, which some FECs have purchased, giving them a designated space.

→ Another form of eSports is through attractions that already exist. For example, if you have a virtual reality profit center, create competitions from that VR experience. The top 10 highest scores for the month can win a cash prize.

→ Even well-established arcade games can become eSports venues. For example, Big Buck Hunter is one of the more popular contests today.

→ Finally, you can go a more ambitious route and bring in a brand-new profit center to attract eSports competitors.

“Our Omni Arena is a highly automated attraction that allows participants to walk around 360 degrees inside a virtual reality game,” Goetgeluk said. Virtuix’s attraction, which includes a directional treadmill and VR goggles, has software that automatically updates, so proprietors can stay