(All times are in Pacific Time Zone)
9:00 a.m.: Breakfast and Registration Opens
9:50 – 10:00 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.: Opening Presentation: The State of the Esports Industry
There’s no arguing that the esports sector is undergoing a market correction in 2023. Although the pandemic generated unprecedented hype and interest in competitive gaming, the current economic climate and harsh business realities have tempered its progress. Nonetheless, the future of esports remains bright with live events and broadcasts at an all-time high. This presentation will address the current state of the esports sector and what the future holds.
10:15 – 10:35 a.m.: Keynote Conversation: Inside the ESL-FACEIT Group’s Massive Esports Production Operations
When ESL Gaming and FACEIT merged in early 2022, it marked a tectonic shift in the esports-production and broadcast industry. Since then EFG has continued to add key acquisitions (including Vindex and Esports Engine) to its portfolio to create one of the largest esports ecosystems on the planet. This session will delve into EFG’s sprawling production and broadcast operations across the globe and how they pull off major events including Dreamhack, ESL Pro Tour, Intel Extreme Masters, and More.
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S. and Esports Production Summit Director
Confirmed Panelists:
Andrew Lane, ESL FACEIT Group, Senior Director of Broadcast and Production
Guillermo Pargo, ESL FACEIT GROUP, Director, Festival Operations
Ryan Thomposon, Esports Engine, Co-Founder and Chief Production Officer
10:35 – 11:20 a.m.: Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Esports Production Spotlight: Major Championships and Large-Scale Events
From The International to LoL Worlds to CS:GO Major Championships and beyond, esports boasts some of the largest annual live-event productions of any kind. This session offers a deep dive into the live-production workflows being used today for elite esports events and the strategies for serving both the thousands of fans onsite and millions more across the globe.
12:00 – 12:40 p.m.: Esports Production Spotlight: Community-Based and Smaller-Scale Events
While major tournaments may grab the headlines, the majority of the live productions currently being done today are smaller-scale, grass-roots events that resonate with passionate, often niche communities. Whether it’s a LAN event or online play, these productions require a very different toolset than large-scale events and often feature the integration of co-streamers and influencers. Get an inside look at how these shows are pulled off.
12:40 – 12:55 p.m.: Case Study
12:55 – 1:45 p.m.: Networking Lunch
1:45 – 2:25 p.m.: The REMI Reality: Creating More Efficient and Cost-Effective Esports Productions
In order to confront the realities of today’s esports market, live productions are increasingly being forced to find more efficient, cost-effective ways to get the job done. Cue REMI production. Esports productions have long been ahead of the curve when it comes to remote production and today’s live broadcasts are taking those efforts to the next level in an effort to keep cost down while also delivering a compelling experience for the fan.
Confirmed Panelists:
JD Wu, The Switch, Director, Business Development (Esports)
2:25 – 2:40 p.m.: Ross Video Case Study
2:40 – 3:10 p.m.: Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
3:10 – 3:50 p.m.: Tech Perspectives: How Technology Levels Up Live Esports Productions
No live-production sector has pushed the boundaries of technology over the past decade more than esports when it comes to creating a unique fan experience. From virtual production and augmented reality to AI and machine learning and beyond, esports productions are always looking to embrace the latest and greatest tech. Hear from top broadcast-technology providers on today’s groundbreaking tools and how they are changing live esports production.
3:50 – 4:10 p.m.: In-Game Observer Spotlight: More information coming soon!
No piece of the esports-production ecosystem is more integral to telling the story than the observer team. As virtual in-game camera operators, observers are responsible for constructing a coherent narrative out of the ballistic, expansive action taking place within the game. For the first time at the Summit, a single observer team will provide a deep dive into their production workflows and storytelling techniques.
4:10 – 4:45 p.m.: The In-Venue Esports Fan Experience
Whether it’s an esports-specific facility or a multi-use building, today’s venues have the opportunity to connect with esports fans like never before. The esports in-venue experience varies drastically from traditional sports as venues look to create interactive, immersive experiences for the fan. Get an inside look at the latest back-of-house technology developments and how esports venues and event organizers are taking fan-engagement to a new level.
4:45 – 5:30 p.m.: Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall
