The esports offering at IBC2023, which takes place 15-18 September in the RAI Amsterdam, builds on the first venture by the show into the gaming space in 2019 when it ran an esports tournament for the entire media and entertainment industry as it converged on IBC.
The dedicated esports zone will occupy close to 500 sqm in Hall 8 and is being run in partnership with Belgium-based gaming and esports agency Unlocked. It includes an area where gaming experts will demonstrate the latest esports production workflows and technology via three distinct configurations: stadiums, smaller venues, and home-based set-ups. The zone is an interactive, immersive experience using state-of-the-art racing simulators to capture gameplay and generate content that will be produced and played out for streams of the week-long competition. The esports zone will also include a networking area and partner zone, offering visitors the opportunity to meet and ask questions of esports experts from Unlocked.
The IBC2023 esports showcase will also feature, as a second strand, a day-long gaming content programme at the Showcase Theatre on Monday, 18 September. Speakers from Omdia, HaZAnimation, Ubisoft, Media Monks, and more will explore the exciting developments at the intersection of gaming and media and debate what the future might hold. Highlights include:
Top gaming trends – Liam Deane, Principal Analyst for Gaming Tech, Omdia;
From gaming to on-screen: The hiccups and highlights – Fireside chat with Helene Juguet, Managing Director, Ubisoft Film & Television Paris;
How Unreal Engine technology is enabling filmmakers and game developers to blur the lines between gaming and film tech – HaZ Dulull, Producer at HaZAnimation;
Opportunities for in-game advertising and how the industry’s key players are leveraging them to reach new markets – Panel moderated by Deane and featuring Funs Jacobs, Senior Director of Innovation, Media Monks.
Also available at IBC to Premium Pass holders are a roundtable discussion on gaming in the entertainment industry, and an exclusive report on the convergence of gaming and media, produced by OMDIA, Official Premium Research Partner.
The third strand of the esports showcase taking place across the show consists of two dedicated tours of the show floor to highlight the broad range of esports-related technology from across the supply chain. Curated by industry specialists, the tours will take attendees on a journey through IBC’s 13 halls to discover the latest tech trends and products enabling the continued phenomenal growth of esports as a live broadcast or streamed spectator event. The tours will touch on elements such as production distribution, streaming software, and studio graphics.
