THE E-SPORTS INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE: DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46793/GlasnikDN18.1.135MKeywords:
e-Sports, video-game publishers, digital economy, public relations (PR), sponsorships, publisher-led model, franchise systemAbstract
The electronic sports (e-Sports) industry is a professional sector of video gaming in which players, teams, and organizations compete according to defined rules, prize pools, and a commercial infrastructure analogous to traditional sports. Its significance derives from multiple interrelated factors influencing society, the economy, and technology, including the rapid expansion of the digital entertainment industry, its substantial economic, cultural, and social impact, technological innovations, professionalization of competitive gaming, and the global accessibility and democratization of sports.
This paper examines the development, communication strategies, business models, and core financial mechanisms of the e-Sports industry, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of its distinctive characteristics. Over the past few decades, e-Sports has evolved from amateur arcade tournaments into a global industry that attracts millions of spectators, professional players, and investors worldwide. This growth has been driven by technological innovations, the expansion of the digital economy, the proliferation of the Internet, the emergence of streaming platforms, as well as the professionalization of teams and leagues.
Public relations (PR) in e-Sports are defined by unique characteristics stemming from its digital nature, the rapid flow of information, a young and digitally literate...
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