As the hype of E3 2013 fades, the reality of next generation consoles is solidifying throughout the eSports community.
The Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii, along with the ever-expanding PC platform, opened new doors for competitive gaming. While many video game platforms of the past groomed gamers who are eager to compete, the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and maybe even the Wii, presented more powerful and meaningful ways for players to connect. These outstanding video game consoles provided accessible tools for event organizers to host live and online video game tournaments.
This bring us to an interesting and important discussion surround LAN event organizers.
Few people understand the time, money, and ongoing commitment that event organizers commit to making live video game tournaments successful all around the world. With large investments required to gear up with all new video game consoles, games, and accessories, could LAN organizers we know and love now, soon be replaced by a new generation of event organizers who are able to offer new consoles first?
This is obviously a bit concerning, as today’s event organizers have worked tirelessly to build their communities and perfect the art of video game event management. Wouldn’t it be great to see the most inspired LAN organizers from this generation of consoles, be rewarded with discounted, even free gaming equipment from companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, which they help build through the eSports community? Assuming this wish doesn’t come true for the majority of event organizers, we would curious to hear if and how YOU are planning for the next generation consoles.
Despite this looming question for live video game event organizers, many questions still remain on how the next generation consoles will expand (or decline) the world of competitive video game events.
If you’re reading this, you believe that eSports has become a phenomenon too exciting for game developers to ignore. If that’s true, what was Microsoft thinking when they announced the Xbox One would not allow games to be replayed and that an online connection was required at all times? Does that not kill the LAN experience?! Fortunately, those LAN-killing ideas were replaced with eSports-friendly features on the Xbox One, but if developers aren’t planning for eSports to expand, it’s fair to say a lot of committed players and event organizers are worried.
With the release of these new video game consoles not coming until late 2013, there will surely be more discussion on how eSports will be embraced (or forgotten) in the next generation consoles. While we patiently wait for the first pre-orders to be filled, then watch the community scramble to understand the future of competitive video game tournaments, let’s take a look at the next generation consoles side-by-side as we chant together – ESPORTS FOREVER!
