Deciphering the World of eSports

Abstract

This editorial gives a short preface to the eSports industry and why this industry is unusual for media management researchthereby describing the eSports ecosystem based on the stakeholders involved, the fundamental characteristics, and the governing principles of the industry. Then the three papers in this special issue are introduced. These papers show the uniqueness of the eSports industry by enhancing the understanding of eSports in a media management context. Furthermore, the editorial is highlighting its potential contribution to the field in aspects like the changing role of the consumers having a stronger influence on the media process, moving from global to local, and online to offline or the changes in media engagement in a digital environment. The editorial concludes by stating the potential of researching eSports as a case for the path to digitize media management and, additionally, create sustainable business models in the digitized society.

Esports Governance: Exploring Stakeholder Dynamics

“…To tackle the governance of the esports ecosystem, it is important to have an initial understanding of its actors and their relationships. Scholz [10] notes that "The eSports industry, with its various stakeholders, can be seen as an interwoven network, where stakeholders need each other to work and to succeed." Scholz [10] presented an initial categorisation of esports stakeholders and, more generally, the esports ecosystem ( Figure 1).…”

“…Scholz [10] notes that "The eSports industry, with its various stakeholders, can be seen as an interwoven network, where stakeholders need each other to work and to succeed." Scholz [10] presented an initial categorisation of esports stakeholders and, more generally, the esports ecosystem ( Figure 1). Within the esports ecosystem, esports players, together with game developers, professional players and teams and tournament organisers, are placed as endemic actors.…”

“…Beyond these actors, non-endemic stakeholders such as media, sponsors, investors, suppliers, providers and shareholders also interact with each other, providing resources for the ecosystem to grow. Despite the ostensible consideration of social and ecological dimensions of the esports ecosystem, Scholz [10] solely focuses on the economic/business aspects. His argument is that "Many eSports organizations are, due to the lack of governmental regulation and without the legal possibility of non-profit strategies, following the business narrative" [10].…”

“…Despite the ostensible consideration of social and ecological dimensions of the esports ecosystem, Scholz [10] solely focuses on the economic/business aspects. His argument is that "Many eSports organizations are, due to the lack of governmental regulation and without the legal possibility of non-profit strategies, following the business narrative" [10]. Nevertheless, not all esports organisations follow the business narrative.…”

“…For example, organisations such as international and national esports associations-missing in Figure 1-are not business-driven but interested instead in the sustainability of the esports ecosystem at the international and national levels. Another limitation of the business perspective adopted by Scholz [10] is that players are treated only as a stakeholder to monetise, without consideration of the health and social issues they may encounter. In the end, if Scholz [10] offers a relevant starting point for the consideration of the esports ecosystem as a network, the non-inclusion of non-profit-driven actors and subsequent social dimensions raises the need to rely less on a business approach and embrace governance of the entire esports network.…”