DLA+-IESF design rules for esports venues

Article posted by Coliseum, December 15^th, 2020

Image: IESF

In order to generate venue design standards in the esports firmament, the US firm DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design has agreed to a global partnership with the International Esports Federation (IESF).

The partnership will seek to establish the guidelines for the design of esports venues and DLA+ will become an exclusive certifying agency for esports facilities on behalf of the IESF, as well as an official advisor to the Federation.

Pittsburgh (US)-headquartered DLA+ is a full service architecture and interior design firm providing strategic architecture solutions. Their modus operandi is developing partnerships with their clients that last beyond a single project.

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The International Esports Federation (IESF) is a global organization based in South Korea whose mission it is to have electronic sports recognized as a legitimate sport.

The Esports Venue Standardization Guidelines will seek to support the growth of esports at the global level by defining spatial and technical requirements of facilities, and establish a set of guidelines for esports venue certification.

The objective is to satisfy the needs of fans, players, media, and operators, as well as identifying requirements to promote efficient, functional, safe as well as robust environments for esports events. The certification and inspection processes will include qualifications, requirements, testing and evaluation methods, schedule, documentation, and fees based on each classification of the esports facilities.

Informed Sung Jung, DLA+ Associate and Sports Practice Leader, “The DLA+-IESF partnership will explore the unique characteristics of esports activities and environments, both technical and physical, and leverage those qualities to promote this fast-growing sport. As sports and entertainment venue design experts, we will establish standards which will offer an efficient process and clear guidance to create a positive experience for fans, players, media, and operators.”

Jung added, “Our goal is to ensure that all esports venues provide the conditions necessary for high-quality competition, production, and presentation of esports games and events, both in-venue and through various forms of media.”

As a result of the collaboration, the global esports revenue is estimated to grow to circa $1.2bn (£888.4m/€987.3m) in 2021. International Federations (IFs), sports leagues and major event organizers have continued to acknowledge the esports community, while a highlight of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, was six esports titles as demonstration events.

Commented a jubilant Vlad Marinescu, IESF President, “We at IESF are excited to provide our members with the Esports Venue Standardization Guidelines to aid them in their consideration and design of esports facilities for fans and players. The guidelines will be a significant resource for our global members and will also help our efforts in creating an international standardization in various disciplines alongside the stakeholders of the esports ecosystem.”

All over the world, more and more Governments and sporting authorities recognize esports as a competitive sporting activity. Esports were featured at the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration event and are being pursued for inclusion as a full medal event at the Asian Games and Olympic Games in the near future.

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