Viewing habits have changed dramatically in a relatively short period of time. From traditional linear TV to the emergence of YouTube in 2005, the transition to streaming services in the 2010s and the launch of gaming-focused platforms, how people consume media is ever-changing.
However, no matter the medium, style of content or length, viewership metrics are just as important as ever before. As such, it's crucial to jump on trends to attract the eyes of audiences. Gaming has become one of the main cultural zeitgeists of modern generations, with esports also finding its own niche within this wave of momentum. With major stakeholders in media aware of this, the last few years have seen gaming, and esports, become incorporated into TV and Film.
Some notable examples include Paramount+’s 2022 esports mockumentary Players, the Simpsons dedicating an episode to esports in 2019, and Netflix utilising League of Legends’ IP for the hit show Arcane. From a more endemic standpoint, events and media platform Esports Insider also launched ESI Film Festival in 2023 to celebrate filmmakers and videos that relate to esports and gaming. After taking place at the BAFTA building last year, ESI Film Festival will make its return at ESI Lisbon (September 23rd-25th), taking place in the MEO Arena. The examples can go on and on.
There are a variety of reasons why esports and gaming have taken over TV and film. However, to avoid a 20,000-word article, let’s look at three main factors that have led major media companies to look at esports and gaming a little differently.
Destigmatised gaming culture
Seemingly gone are the days when gaming was looked down upon by most adults, largely because those children who played those games are now adults themselves. This generational shift has seeped into mainstream culture with stakeholders in media now more accepting of gaming culture after experiencing it in their life. With that hurdle jumped over there is more of an acceptance to utilise the gaming industry to create new media.
2021’s Free Guy is perhaps the biggest example of gaming culture seeping into mainstream, box-office, media. Not only does the film play off countless gaming tropes, with the main character being an NPC, but it also features real-life streamers such as Ninja in the film.
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This isn’t to say that gaming hasn’t been integrated into mainstream media in the past, look at Tomb Raider or Resident Evil as prime examples. But, there certainly seems to be more of an emphasis on catering to the gaming community when bringing these IPs to TV or cinema screens.
Whilst esports still has its stigmas attached to it, major stakeholders have begun to see the appeal of highlighting competitive gaming in recent years. In the Western world, esports is normally shown by TV companies through various documentaries to showcase the industry. As more governments favourably look at esports and the scene continues to attract major non-endemic stakeholders, such as the International Olympic Committee, esports’ portrayal in media could change. Take China for example, which has countless TV shows that use esports as a backdrop to romance and comedy storylines.
The new media landscape
As highlighted in the introduction of this piece, the new media landscape is fragmented with audiences’ attention split across YouTube, TikTok and Twitch as well as TV and cinema. Competition for eyes is greater than ever. Not only are linear channels creating streaming platforms to serve this younger, more digital-focused audience but content is being created to appeal to them.
This has led to some of the biggest IPs in gaming being created into TV series, most of which are exclusive to certain platforms. Halo (Paramount+), League of Legends (Netflix) and Twisted Metal (Peacock) are just some examples. These shows look to appeal to fans of the series, in an attempt to keep them as customers once the show concludes.
For esports specifically, what is most interesting about the new media landscape is how there is far more of a focus on highlighting esports through TV and film as opposed to buying media rights to specific scenes. This is largely because the esports audience is used to watching most, if not all, competitive action of free-to-watch platforms such as Twitch, YouTube and, now, KICK.
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This isn’t to say that small media rights deals don’t occur around the world, but the message from fans, and seemingly media companies, is that creating informative content detailing the scene is prioritised. Media companies are also somewhat assisted by seeing viewership metrics on platforms such as Esports Charts as well to gain a sense of what games are attracting passionate audiences.
Esports franchises taking the leap
The final point emphasises esports-focused game developers, some of which have managed to create huge IPs that can no longer be ignored by media conglomerates. Riot Games is perhaps the most notable example with the developer not only having its own live-action and anime divisions, but also a substantial presence in pop culture and music.
Valve has also utilised its Dota 2 IP to enter into the anime space, another industry that has become a part of this new cultural shift. In the East, countless esports scenes are being showcased in media with TV shows centring around Honor of Kings, Crossfire and League of Legends.
The push by esports companies isn’t just limited to game developers with Esports Insider looking to provide opportunities for esports filmmakers to express their creativity through ESI Film Festival at ESI Lisbon. At the B2B industry conference, Esports Insider will air some of the nominations with the winner walking away with part of its €6,000 cash prize pool. Tickets for ESI Lisbon are still available now.
All in all, gaming will continue to dominate the media sector. If esports scenes manage to maintain long-standing, passionate fan bases, undoubtedly, this niche will begin to bleed into other media content outside of documentaries.
Author: Tom Daniels, Editor at Esports Insider