Surprise Rally in the Video Game Sector

Today’s Esports Team Valuations = NBA Teams in the 1980s

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Today, every NBA team is worth more than $1 billion. Esports teams could reach similar heights, perhaps even more, in the near future. History is repeating itself, but more quickly this time Esports teams are attracting investments of about the same size as NBA teams of the 1980s. Examples include Cloud9 raising $50 million, TSM … Continued

Fortnite: An Epic Blockbuster

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Tim Sweeney started Epic Games, parent of Fortnite, in 1991 by commuting 30 minutes each way from his University of Maryland dorm to a makeshift office in his parents’ garage. Fortnite became the world’s most popular game last year, growing the company’s valuation to $15 billion.

The Business of Esports

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While we weren’t looking, video gaming grew into something called esports—a professional sport complete with well-paid players, huge fan followings, sold-out arenas, lucrative sponsorships and hefty tournament payouts.  For video game developers and publishers, esports functions as both marketing expense and operating income. Esports can keep the general public engaged in video gaming and willing … Continued

Glu Mobile: Boom and Bust Cycle Continues

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Electronic gaming stocks appear likely to remain highly volatile. here’s how to capitalize on trading opportunities likely to arise with one of the sector’s high flyers  In the summer of 2014, Glu Mobile (GLUU) was riding high. Hit games that included Deer Hunter, Dino Hunter and Kim Kardashian: Hollywood drove triple-digit revenue growth. The company … Continued

Complex Con(versations)

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With so many films and TV shows documenting the triumphs and struggles of pro gamers, it can prove difficult to mine them all for advice to apply in the everyday business of esports. While movies like Free to Play or ESPN’s docuseries Good Game reveal an impassioned side to esports, Episode 8 of Complex’s 16-part … Continued

The Business of Esports

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“The fastest-growing entertainment phenomenon of this generation.” That’s how the hosts of The Business of Esports podcast—William Collis, Paul Dawalibi and Arda Ocal—characterize professional video gaming. Their podcast sheds light on what’s happening in esports and outlines possible strategies for the business.  The success of The Business of Esports is rooted in the broad nature … Continued

Follow the Money

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Financiers, entertainers and professional athletes are investing heavily in esports In late May, Peak6, the Chicago private venture investment and trading firm, acquired Evil Geniuses, a premier global esports team that’s among the most recognized brands in professional gaming. The acquisition, whose details were not disclosed, adds Evil Geniuses to Peak6’s portfolio of traditional sport-related … Continued

The Next Generation of Gamers

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The old guard of pro gamers (the 20-somethings) have enjoyed big paydays, but a crop of young talent is rising up behind them The timing must have been right for the High School Esports League. In a few short years it’s grown into a national movement with 50,000 players in clubs at more than 1,800 … Continued

Young Money

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With esports prize pools in the millions, where does the money flow? Meet a past and present pro This Med Student spent his gap year as an esports pro After devoting a gap year between high school and college to playing StarCraft II professionally, Conan “Suppy” Liu, aka “Superiorwolf,” went back to the books, completing a … Continued