Asia

DLA+ engaged to drive standards in esports facilities

US firm DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design has agreed a global partnership with the International Esports Federation (IESF) in a move which intends to generate venue design standards in the esports marketplace.

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

The Esports Venue Standardisation Guidelines will seek to support the growth of esports globally by defining spatial and technical requirements of facilities, and establish regulations and procedures for esports venue certification.

The focus is to satisfy the needs of fans, players, media, and operators, as well as identifying requirements to promote efficient, functional, and safe 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.

Sung Jung, DLA+ associate and sports practice leader, said: “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.

“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.”

The partnership comes with global esports revenue estimated to grow to roughly $1.2bn (£888.4m/€987.3m) in 2021. International Federations (IFs), sports leagues and major event organisers have continued to embrace the esports community, while the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, featured six esports titles as demonstration events.

Vlad Marinescu, IESF president, said: “We at IESF are excited to provide our members with the Esports Venue Standardisation 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 creating an international standardisation in various disciplines alongside the stakeholders of the esports ecosystem.”