In an effort to stay on top of the expanding competitive gaming world, Activision Blizzard launched a new Overwatch league that's inspired by traditional sports teams.
The first-person-shooter game is one of the company's most popular, with advanced graphics and plenty of opportunity for character development as players progresses through the adventurous plot. When players join the new Overwatch league, they have even more motivation to improve their skills, while connecting with others within the community.
Unlike many of the other leagues that players can join, Activision Blizzard's is city-based. CEO Bobby Kotick explained the purpose of this by stating, "We thought the most important thing in celebrating our players was getting local recognition and developing that local bond fans have with their teams in their local markets."
City-Based Gaming Tournaments
Activision Blizzard's New Overwatch League Has a Global Reach
Trend Themes
1. City-based Gaming Leagues - Creating city-based leagues for popular games like Overwatch provides a new way for players to connect with others in their community and compete at a higher level.
2. Traditional Sports Team Approach to Gaming - Creating a team structure and fan base around video games like traditional sports can provide new marketing and branding opportunities for gaming companies.
3. Increasing Popularity of Competitive Gaming - As more and more players seek to turn competitive gaming into a profession, creating structured leagues and tournaments can provide opportunities for new revenue streams and partnerships.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - Gaming companies like Activision Blizzard can continue to innovate and expand the reach of their games through new league structures and tournament opportunities.
2. Sports Marketing - The success of city-based gaming leagues can provide new opportunities for sports marketing companies to expand into the gaming world.
3. Live Events and Entertainment - As gaming tournaments and leagues become more popular, there are opportunities for event and entertainment companies to organize and host these competitions, similar to traditional sports events.