EPTOur beloved Sundance, founder of the very well known MLG, was recently interviwed for a Forbes article where he talks about MLG and its future.
The full interview can be found in the link (three pages long btw) and I will quote only the first page so that Forbes does get the views.
Since it was founded in 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) has grown each year. But nothing compares to the record-breaking 2011 season, which has seen millions of gamers tune in for live streams of tour stops and upwards of 20,000 people coming in person to check out the virtual competition. This is good news for both the mainstream and gamer-focused sponsors like Nos, Sony Ericsson, Stride and PlayStation that are targeting both the attendees and the global audience that tunes in for the live streams of these competitions.
Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder and CEO of MLG, has big plans for what’s grown into an international pro gaming phenomenon. DiGiovanni talks about some of the changes in store for the 2012 season, how IMG Worldwide is helping with international expansion, and how he sees pro gaming evolving in this exclusive interview.
Why do you think MLG is seeing record attendance and live streaming this year?
We’ve been at this for quite a while now and one of the things that’s often lost on people is that every year new people are brought in both by existing community members and new games. We’re finally in a position where there’s just a general awareness level that’s higher than it’s ever been. The kids who are 16 years old this year were 8 when we started, and they’re playing these games and are aware of these games. Add to that the fact that the global interest in games like Starcraft 2 is high and I think there’s a real opportunity for an organization such as MLG, which strives to put on a great show to entice viewers. We’re catering to everyone from the hardcore players down to the folks who are slightly more casual around the competitive scene, but just interested in the games.
When it comes to your audience, do you have a sense of how many people are watching MLG from other countries?
171 countries tuned into our broadcast from Anaheim, so we’re pretty much covering the globe. It’s about 45-55 split with internationalized making up about 55 percent of that audience.
How have those numbers evolved over the years?
Our overall audience is increasing everywhere. The bigger difference is that our international audience is actually growing at a slightly greater rate than the U.S. audience because we’ve always been primarily strongest here in North America. The relationship that we have with IMG Worldwide has helped us grow the international audiences, which has been their focal point. So we expect those numbers to go up at a greater rate.
Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder and CEO of MLG, has big plans for what’s grown into an international pro gaming phenomenon. DiGiovanni talks about some of the changes in store for the 2012 season, how IMG Worldwide is helping with international expansion, and how he sees pro gaming evolving in this exclusive interview.
Why do you think MLG is seeing record attendance and live streaming this year?
We’ve been at this for quite a while now and one of the things that’s often lost on people is that every year new people are brought in both by existing community members and new games. We’re finally in a position where there’s just a general awareness level that’s higher than it’s ever been. The kids who are 16 years old this year were 8 when we started, and they’re playing these games and are aware of these games. Add to that the fact that the global interest in games like Starcraft 2 is high and I think there’s a real opportunity for an organization such as MLG, which strives to put on a great show to entice viewers. We’re catering to everyone from the hardcore players down to the folks who are slightly more casual around the competitive scene, but just interested in the games.
When it comes to your audience, do you have a sense of how many people are watching MLG from other countries?
171 countries tuned into our broadcast from Anaheim, so we’re pretty much covering the globe. It’s about 45-55 split with internationalized making up about 55 percent of that audience.
How have those numbers evolved over the years?
Our overall audience is increasing everywhere. The bigger difference is that our international audience is actually growing at a slightly greater rate than the U.S. audience because we’ve always been primarily strongest here in North America. The relationship that we have with IMG Worldwide has helped us grow the international audiences, which has been their focal point. So we expect those numbers to go up at a greater rate.
Go check it out now by clicking here!
Remember to click on the big numbers (1,2,3) to change between pages.
Highlights:
+ Show Spoiler +
Next year we’re looking at between 44 to 50 weeks of meaningful competition play happening in a combination of these tour stops, but also a central location for league activity to take place.
And would New York City serve as MLG’s central hub since you’re based there?
I can’t comment on it yet.
...the season structure is going to support distinct seasons which resolve in large live events and then they have an online component...
And would New York City serve as MLG’s central hub since you’re based there?
I can’t comment on it yet.
...the season structure is going to support distinct seasons which resolve in large live events and then they have an online component...
whatever it takes for esports.
