Esports, once a niche subculture, seems to have ascended to mainstream prominence, redefining the landscape of competitive gaming. It’s believed that this arena has transformed into a career path, for those looking to blend passion with professionalism. Globally, the esports market is anticipated to clock a revenue worth $4.3 billion in 2024, having a 7.10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), resulting in a projected market volume of $5.7 billion by 2028, as per Statista, a data and business intelligence firm. In a conversation with BrandWagon Online, Khalid Wani, senior director – sales, India, Western Digital, a data storage company, talks about the kind of applications required for a career in esports and what else can one expect from the esports technology. (Edited Excerpts)
With Esports gaining traction as a mainstream sporting event, what tools are essential for players looking to pursue a career in this field?
Building a successful career in esports demands a comprehensive approach, blending both in-game proficiency and a deep understanding of the esports ecosystem. Perseverance and continual improvement serve as cornerstones for long-term success in this dynamic and competitive arena.
Gamers should begin by investing in a robust gaming setup tailored to their preferences and playstyle, ensuring smooth gameplay and comfort during extended sessions. They should equip themselves with essential gaming accessories such as the right monitor, wireless keyboard, gaming earphones, and reliable storage solutions such as WD_BLACK™ SN850X NVMe™ SSD to enhance the gaming experience. Gamers should also invest in a dependable, high-speed internet connection to minimize latency and maintain uninterrupted gameplay. They should dedicate significant time to mastering their chosen game, delving into its mechanics, strategies, and map knowledge through consistent practice.
Gamers should also consider joining or forming a team to refine coordination and communication skills and engage with the esports community through events, online forums, and professional connections.
It is imperative to analyse gameplay regularly, solicit feedback, and identify areas for improvement to progress. Gamers should also harness the power of social media to amplify their presence and engage with a wider audience. Exploring avenues like streaming, creating tutorials, and collaborating with brands to showcase gaming skills and build one’s professional brand is also a must for all esports competitors. Lastly, participating in gaming summits and major events such as the WD_BLACK™ Cup to network with peers, compete against top-tier players, and attract potential sponsors, also plays a significant role in a gamer’s journey.
What are the prospects for further innovations in esports technology?
Technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies offer immense potential to revolutionize the esports landscape. VR immerses players within a game, enhancing engagement, while AR overlays digital elements onto the real world, adding interactivity. These technologies also reshape esports viewing experiences, with VR transporting viewers to virtual arenas for dynamic spectating and AR providing real-time stats during broadcasts.
Moreover, VR and AR enhance esports training by simulating realistic environments and providing real-time feedback. These technologies also improve accessibility, offering inclusive experiences for diverse audiences, including people with disabilities. For fans, VR allows virtual attendance at events and interaction with players, while AR brings esports content into the real world for engaging experiences.
Developers can leverage these technologies to create innovative gameplay experiences, potentially influencing game design.
The integration of VR and AR in esports not only enhances fan engagement but also opens new business opportunities for hardware, software, and content developers. Overall, these technologies promise to drive the growth and evolution of the esports industry.
What is the significance of storage devices in online gaming and what should be the key essential considerations for gamers when selecting such devices?
The gaming industry is evolving rapidly, marked by visually stunning games with increasingly large file sizes. AAA-classified video game titles, known for their high fidelity, can now exceed hundreds of gigabytes, fuelled further by ongoing updates and expansions. A recent study found that slow storage significantly impacts gameplay, with 51% of gamers citing it as a primary issue, leading to issues like slow loading times, frame loss, and visual stuttering.
Responding to gamers’ needs, our WD_BLACK™ portfolio offers tailored storage solutions designed to elevate gaming experiences. Our standout product, the WD_BLACK™ SN850X NVMe™ SSD, boasts read speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s*, ensuring elite gaming performance with minimal load times. With storage capacities of up to 4TB**, this drive empowers gamers while offering essential features like the WD_BLACK™ Dashboard*** for drive health monitoring. Additionally, it incorporates Game Mode 2.0 capabilities (Windows® only) for predictive loading, overhead balancing, and adaptive thermal management.
When selecting storage devices, gamers should prioritize speed, capacity, and intelligence. Speed ensures smooth gaming, while ample capacity accommodates the growing size of games. Intelligent storage optimizes performance and reliability, akin to a high-performance racing car’s fuel tank. Our WD_BLACK™ portfolio embodies these principles, offering speed, capacity, and intelligence finely tuned to meet gamers’ needs, ensuring seamless experiences and maximum enjoyment.
What developments can we expect from the WD_BLACK portfolio, and which categories of gamers does it cater to most effectively?
Our WD_BLACK™ portfolio is purpose-built to address the evolving needs of the rapidly expanding gaming industry. With a diverse range of gaming storage solutions tailored for both professional and casual gamers across various platforms, we continuously innovate to enrich our award-winning WD_BLACK™ gaming portfolio, offering gamers more choices to elevate their gaming experiences.
Catering to a wide spectrum of gamers, from enthusiasts to professionals, our lineup includes solutions that cater to every gamer’s requirement. For instance, our WD_BLACK™ SN850X NVMe™ SSD is crafted for gamers seeking top-tier performance for their premium gaming setups. Meanwhile, the WD_BLACK™ SN770 NVMe™ SSD, featuring a PCIe® Gen4 interface and rapid read speeds of up to 5,150MB/s* (available in 1TB and 2TB models), caters to those desiring robust performance for mid-range gaming rigs. For PlayStation®5 console users, our officially licensed WD_BLACK™ SN850P NVMe™ SSD offers up to 4TB** of storage capacity, ensuring hassle-free storage expansion for gamers.
In addition to product development, we conduct thorough studies to grasp gamers’ challenges and expectations, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that address their specific needs and preferences.
What initiatives has Western Digital undertaken to establish dedicated platforms for the expanding gamer community?
At Western Digital®, we collaborate with various stakeholders to cultivate platforms that foster the growth of professional gaming and esports in India. Through initiatives like the WD_BLACK™ Cup esports tournament, we provide gamers with opportunities to showcase their skills and expand their knowledge base. This flagship event serves as a platform for gamers to compete, learn from industry influencers, and elevate their gaming prowess. With each edition, the WD_BLACK™ Cup has garnered increasing participation, emerging as one of India’s premier esports tournaments. In its fourth instalment, the tournament featured top Indian gamers and offered significant rewards, including a prize pool of approximately INR 13 lakhs. Recognizing the growing involvement of women in esports, we have introduced dedicated tournaments like LUNA to provide an inclusive space for female gamers to excel.