Andrew Batchelor: Why Dundee is Very Ideal for an eSports Arena
Dundee could be getting its very own eSports arena — and it’s so ideal.
Reading the exciting news that talks were taking place for a potential eSports arena to be placed at the heart of the Dundee Waterfront — I eeked with excitement.
Not only because it was video games, but because it would give a potential economic and social boost to Dundee if it went ahead.
We have seen over time that eSports is becoming very popular. Game series like FIFA and Rocket League have created their own eSports championships which have gained prominence worldwide.
What is eSports?
To those who are older who follow Dundee Culture and don’t entirely know what eSports is all about, players come together to participate in team competitions online to win money and it is a pretty big deal.
You’re also probably wondering, why would an eSports arena benefit Dundee and why should Dundee even be home to such a place?
Well. That leads us on to our first reason.
1. Dundee is the video game capital of Europe
If you haven’t guessed already, Dundee is a city of video game magnitude and to some consider that Dundee is the video game capital of Europe.
Known for creating Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings and lending itself to develop the console versions of Minecraft, Dundee is a hub for video game creation.
The creation of these games and gaming companies set up in Dundee which have gone on to be successful proves that the city is worthy of the title of Europe’s video games capital — but that is not the only reason as we come on to our next point.
2. The best place to study video game design in Europe
Abertay University is the best place to study video games in Europe — that’s not by opinion, its by fact. Princeton Review has awarded Abertay the accolade on six consecutive occasions.
Abertay has been a haven for video game design learning and many new video games have been developed at the University.
3. More potential economic investment in Dundee — and Scotland
A new eSports arena would give the city potential economic benefits. eSports is a fast growing industry which is already very much popular as football in certain aspects.
eSports is big across the world and the potential to have a new arena in the city would very much likely boost Dundee’s — and by extension, Scotland’s economy up even further due to a potential rise in tourism for people coming to visit the arena and spending money when visiting the city.
Conclusion
It would be very ideal for the city to have an incredible new addition in the form of an eSports arena and there is so many opportunities for the city to have if we were to get one.
Dundee could play host to video game tournaments and it could welcome new visitors to the city, it would help boost the economy and most of all — it would extend Dundee’s noterity further.
When writing a piece on Grand Theft Auto and its relationship with Dundee earlier this year, it was a great opportunity to showcase why Dundee is the best place for video game creation in Europe.
I want to see an eSports arena in Dundee because it is a great opportunity to celebrate the city’s relationship with video games and it has the opportunity to potentially have more economic benefits for Dundee and Scotland and also extends on the amazing presence the city has received thanks to the V&A Dundee to even greater levels.
