The Hague University of Applied Sciences offers a minor in esports. Its students visited GameLab today.
This morning, the esports students gained an insight into the world of game development. They heard the story of Online Soccer Manager, a game developed in an attic in Zoetermeer that ultimately gained more than 300 million users. They learnt how games are developed at the Dutch Innovation Factory and toured the lab facilities and Game Basement. Of course, there was also time to play games in GameLab's Game Room .
The video games industry is currently the world's largest entertainment industry, bigger than the music and film industries combined. According to Statista (2021), the global gaming market is expected to reach a value of over US$260 billion by 2025. It is therefore essential for future sports managers to learn about the world of games, from the gamification of real sports to accessibility, inclusion and competitive esports.
The Netherlands is home to leading organisations such as Team Liquid, Team Gullit and the H20 esports campus. Unlike larger markets such as Asia and the United States, the Netherlands focuses on talent development and grassroots activity, creating a distinctive environment in a rapidly growing landscape. Companies such as House of Esports lead the way in this niche. This industry offers many opportunities and challenges.