The esports industry continues to experience changes in its growth and development through the advancements made in management — team and brand — and marketing, and to have adequate information about this field, there is the need to have a voice who knows and has enough expertise to help break it down with not only terminologies but also the functions of certain departments that will help in probing further the need to pursue esports as a business. For this episode, we have Mr. Chris Tran, an esports and gaming expert from Singapore, speaking on how to get things done – an esports 101 for persons and groups wanting to pursue esports as a business.
From attending Brandeis, to working in consultation and advertising in New York and Vietnam respectively, and working with Riot Games, Chris has had a holistic view and adequate experience to what will lead into his developing interests and involvement with the world of esports.
He had the usual academic template provided by his parents as an immigrant kid – having his career path leaning into medicine, but interests changed after a change of mind (and heart altogether) and went into liberal arts, choosing economics and landing him a job as an internet service provider. His interest in gaming communities sparked up after his encounter with some upperclassmen who had loaded up DOOM on an SGI supercomputer (i.e. Silicon Graphics Supercomputers, which can be used for molecular biology studies), and that helped with envisioning the possibilities.
For his stay in Riot Games, Southeast Asia, it was with the partner Garina, for the game League of Legends. The goal was to be the most player focused company, and although their partnership with Garina was cut short, they still managed to incorporate the vision into being: “being globally consistent and locally resonant”, he says.
Entering the market is where the winning is at, and so through the setting up of offices in Southeast Asia, Chris along with his team were able to set up leagues in the region, ranging from League of Legends which was the largest, to launching Valorant, Wild Rift and Teamfight Tactics. They went on to organize events such as Rift Rivals, to Hyperplay while working alongside ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in Singapore.
There are a number of interesting points highlighted in Chris’ recruitment that may help in one securing a slot with a gaming company, and even though they may not be exactly replicated, consider the process as a guide.
He highlights gathering enough information from qualitative and quantitative research through the help of some agencies in the field so he could lead to helping the company set up their marketplace in the country/city. He hired the services of a PR agency to help with some interview training (“hostile” he termed it), and although he was not a gamer, he still made the effort to look up at best what he was signing up for by employing the services of a coach. This was to be adequately prepared in the aspects of the possible tournaments should they be brought up.
Everybody wants to create player value. Everybody sees how eSports can create the next generation of heroes and role models and whatnot. — Mr. Chris Tran, SEA Esports and Gaming Expert.
It is a kick in the door affair when it comes to venturing into esports. You need adequate information on all aspects even though you may specialize in a few of them. This is so you are conversant with every department and can help you catch on faster to advancements as there will be changes along the way.
It is also best to consider the market and regions’ nuances. Yes there may be interested gamers but can you relate to them and their diverse cultures? What will make up for a selling point so they get invested in esports as you market it to them? And what are the constraints to hindering progress? Government structures and their involvement? How can you avert and work around them to meet the success you seek? Per your metrics to measure. The experiential differences may affect the market establishment, but finding common ground with a universal idea or goal can help with ensuring things take off with esports in the regions.
Streaming platforms flexible for event participation, regional and communal lifestyles to fit schedules, and helping pros become equipped to champion others are covered in this episode.
Esports has helped create jobs for lots of people. Interested in knowing about the business side of esports? Listen to the Gamers Change Lives Podcast! We get experienced guests from all around the world featuring.
Written By Jeffrey Osei-Agyeman
