PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
eSports organiser ESL has opened a brand new UK studio in Leicester – here are PCR’s snaps from the open day.
The studio features a 10m x 3m modular LED video wall – one of the biggest in the UK – worth around £141,000.
PCR understands that ESL invested between £700,000 and £800,000 on the state-of-the-art facility, which features player desks, studio capacity for around 100 spectators, as well as caster and analyst desks, plus a bar, seating area at the front of the stage.
There’s also a production room with room for up to 30 camera feeds, all running in 4K.
ESL UK MD Spike Laurie told partners he wants them to think of the studio as a ‘blank canvass’, with PC vendors able to get behind tournaments at the venue.
The studio has hosted its first events in the Formula E Forza 6 racing game tournament – aired on BT Sport – plus a Guild Wars tournament.
During the open day, Ian Smith from the eSports Integrity Coalition (ESIC) gave a talk on governance and regulation in eSports, while a panel talked about growth opportunities in competitive gaming.
ESL UK’s James Dean said: "Halo has been a huge success, with the recent finals pulling in over 100,000 concurrent viewers.
"The UK is the third largest market in Europe for gaming. This studio is all about fostering growing homegrown talent."
Sky TV was also filming the open day yesterday (March 29th).
