{"id":840395,"date":"2022-02-18T10:21:55","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T15:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/?p=840395"},"modified":"2024-05-06T15:08:56","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T19:08:56","slug":"just-game-designing-esports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/research\/articles\/topics\/learning\/just-game-designing-esports\/","title":{"rendered":"More Than Just a Game: Designing for Esports"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world of esports is big and getting bigger by the day. It\u2019s no surprise that at a fast-growing number of schools, gaming has become a part of a new normal: tech-infused student experiences.<\/p>\n

The phenomenon of esports has skyrocketed during the past decade and shows no signs of letting up. Already there are more than 3 billion gamers worldwide. At least 175 universities in America are offering scholarships for esports, and even more have esports teams.<\/p>\n

Why are schools rapidly integrating esports into their programs and facilities? New research from Steelcase Learning provides a compelling, big-picture answer: Esports can positively impact learning experiences for students and help schools succeed in turn.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a two-month deep dive of research and listening to coaches and gamers, it became clear to us that esports is a great opportunity for schools to attract and retain students they might not have gotten otherwise,\u201d reports Mark Walters, manager of growth initiatives for Steelcase Learning.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven more important,\u201d he continues, \u201cesports helps students forge connections to the institution and each other, become more engaged and improve happiness and wellbeing at school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Go Beyond the Game<\/h2>\n

As with any athletic sport, schools embracing esports and sponsoring teams can attract competitive gamers looking for the opportunity to further flex and hone their skills while in school. At the same time, on-campus gaming opportunities can engage students who might not otherwise participate in extracurricular activities, helping them find \u201ctheir people\u201d and build strong personal connections that over time can be the difference between a positive and negative experience at school.<\/p>\n

Moreover, gaming teaches useful skills that go beyond the game. For example, it can help students develop the persistence needed to \u201cfail forward\u201d \u2013 students keep trying when unsuccessful and improve over time, an essential lesson for both learning and life. Involvement in esports can also sharpen skills such as creative strategizing, inventive problem-solving, effective communication and productive collaboration. What\u2019s more, it can spark interest in budding industries and career opportunities: I.T. and content creation, as well as adjacent fields such as engineering, business, education, media, entertainment and more.<\/p>\n

But positive gains like these don\u2019t just happen automatically as a given of the game.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cOur research has made it very clear that when bringing gaming and esports onto campus, it\u2019s crucial for schools to place a concerted focus on student engagement,\u201d says Walters. \u201cEsports can be a magnet for getting students involved in campus life and fostering deep connections. There are opportunities for schools to use gaming as a tool for creating strong interpersonal connections that can make or break a students\u2019 experience at school. And space has a huge role in helping accomplish this.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Start Your Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take the next step toward creating effective esports spaces by connecting with us for more information on our insights, applications and solutions.<\/p>\n

Get in Touch<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Four Design Considerations<\/h2>\n

Recognizing the importance of esports in building skills and improving student outcomes, Steelcase research identified four essential design considerations for creating optimally effective gaming spaces:<\/p>\n

Enhance gamer performance<\/strong><\/p>\n