Designing an e-sports arena for tomorrow

Context

“eSports have joined the big leagues”, research from Goldman Sachs wrote in a recent report about the new subsection of the video game industry. They estimate that the monthly size of competitive eSports gamers, 167 million as of year-end 2018, will hit 276 million by 2022, basing their forecast on a New Zoo survey. Out of the 7700 million world population estimated 2400 million people are playing some form of games in digital media as per a report by Statista. 

A survey by New Zoo (an organization dealing with games & eSports Analytics) reflects that platforms like YouTube and Twitch are defined web spaces for enthusiasts who wish to game.

Are our physical spaces ready for this rampant craze that is developing a significant interest in the entire globe?

20 years later after the ‘Dot-com boom’, screens are within reach to virtually almost every person in one form or other. The shift in media consumption has affected many allied industries, including the advent of this gaming industry which was restricted to local networks.

Challenge

For most eSports events today traditional sports venues are retrofitted with means to view this entirely fresh form of digital entertainment. A few examples can be seen in the images in this document. But what happens when we have a chance to tailor-make this entire venue in 2050 dedicated to gaming? 

Uni launched a competition for architects and designers all across the globe to design an arena for e-Sports enthusiasts and reinterpret how it would be in future. 

The brief invited participants to envision the eSports arena of the future based on the trends of today in 2050. What kind of games will be played? How will it be spectated? Or what fresh mediums/combinations will be popular according to your vision? 

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

 

Mohammed Adib, Chief Design Officer, Dewan Architects, United Arab Emirates

Dimitar Gamizov, Dipl.-Ing, Smartvoll, Austria

Bruno Campos, Director, BCMF Arquitetos, Brazil

Sahel AlHiyari, Principal Architect, Sahel AlHiyari Architects, Jordan

Some of the Best of competition projects are as follows:

Winning Project: Vr Chic(k)

By: Boontita Boonsusakul & Buncharin Eua-arporn 

Description: It does not make sense to add more brand new space in the city that's already reached its maximum chaotic density. We propose to transform the left over space that’s not being used to its full potential as the area under highways into arena. Virtual chickens are the alternative way for Chicken fight to preserve traditional value and cease animal-abuse issues.

---

Runner - Up: The Digital Colosseum

By: Jade Bailey & Adriana Viktoria

Description: The typology of an arena will evolve from the traditional , moving away from independent structures that sit idly on the perimeter of our cities, to reclaiming public space within our city centers. The driving concept behind our idea and designs revolves around Guy Debords ‘Theory of the drive’. Where the spectators no longer have a dedicated seat but move around the game, players and arena throughout one or multiple events.

---

     People’s Choice: (RE) ENVISIONING

         By:  Pelayo Lopez Suarez Valdivieso

 

Description: To get to the concept of the arena we have analyzed what life would be like in 2050 and what possible changes may occur by then. We have pictured a future in which technology developments will allow people to have the option to work from home instead of having to move to their offices. As a result from this, most offices buildings might be left defunct and it will be needed to find another purpose for those buildings.

---

 

Editor’s Choice: City of memories

By: Maylis LAMAIGNÈRE & Juliette Davet

Description: In the city of Alexandria, legends and memories are gathered around its new lighthouse. In a world where cities are still growing, where there is no more room for patrimony or memories, the lighthouse dig into the past. Thanks to the game, it immerse visitors, spectators and players into the symbolic history of the city.

---

Discover the full results here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/the-digital-colosseum/entries

Discover the design brief here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/the-digital-colosseum/info/about

---

Follow us on social media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Youtube

Discover other design competitions to participate here: https://uni.xyz/competitions