The University of Staffordshire made waves in 2018 when it launched the UK’s first degree in eSports broadcasting. Since, the educational body has continued to fine-tune, upgrade, and improve the facilities that cater to its course. Most recently, following the commonplace trend for development in such arenas, the University of Staffordshire has enhanced its audio and network solutions within the professional-grade training facilities.
These latest installations come as part of a £2.9 million investment in the course and the gaming arena. Now, not only does the University of Staffordshire get to promote itself as a pioneer in the ever-growing, ever-evolving eSports industry, but can continue to be at the forefront of grassroots training.
Investing Big in the eSports Degree Facilities
In the middle of July, the University’s Stoke-on-Trent campus completed its latest additions. The 60-seater arena with two broadcast galleries and an impressive studio has seen its audio and network solutions. Put into play by Digital Garage in partnership with Audio-Technica, there are now eight channels of Audio-Technica 3000 Series Digital wireless and a couple of Allen & Heath Avantis digital mixers installed.
Operational flexibility in such a wide-spanning course is essential, with a big part of this being IP audio. For this, Digital Garage opted for Dante-enabled solutions. With Dante at the core of the design, users can dial into any input or output available in the facility. The Avantis mixers and consoles, on the other hand, were chosen for their compatibility with Dante-enabled components and user-friendly broadcast tools.
The use of the £2.9 million course investment aligns to the ever-changing state of play of the surging eSports industry. As Dr Ying-Ying Law said back in 2023 on the spending reveal, “the eSports industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace,” so the course needs to reflect this and continue to update. This is both in regard to the tech in play and the course’s curriculum.
Evolving in the Digital Media Space
From the tech powering it to the games of focus, eSports has evolved tremendously even over the last decade. Where once DOTA 2 and Counter-Strike were almost the only games in town, they’re now joined by extensive competitive scenes for the likes of Valorant and Overwatch. Even mobile games like Arena of Valor (Honor of Kings) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang are firmly in the industry now.
It’s a path of evolution that’s well trodden in digital media, making the most of new technologies and ideas to expand the appeal. From introducing live broadcasts and interactive content on Netflix to expanding the themes, settings, features, and jackpot sizes of bingo slots, all brackets of digital media need to continue to evolve. In the case of the slots, you can see it in the prominence of new features like Ultra Link&Win, Power Combo, Ca$hLink, and Hold & Hit. While creativity underpins these advancements, so too does the development of new tech.
In all of these cases, the introduction and adoption of the latest technology is key to their continued evolution. Both Netflix and online bingo platforms have embraced live streaming, while eSports broadcasting bodies need to continually refine their hardware and software solutions. Players want the most high-powered computers, mobiles, or consoles to perform to their best, while broadcasters want to offer the best suite of options for their team to emphasise the action and add to the entertainment value for viewers.
As eSports continues to broaden and tap into technological advances, courses like the ones at the University of Staffordshire need to be ahead of the game by integrating new tech and solutions. Given that the 4 Nations Spring 2025 Division I Grand Final took place on university grounds in June, it’d be fair to say that the facility is up to scratch.
