Esports is no longer a new word. Especially in 2025, when tournament prize pools reach tens of millions of dollars and arenas, training facilities, housing, and esports entertainment centers are popping up worldwide. Many trace the origins of modern esports back to the early 2000s and even earlier, when LAN competitions emerged and became an inseparable part of the esports scene. However, the actual cultural and commercial explosion began around 2010, as titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS:GO expanded beyond local LANs to global live streams, mainstream media coverage, and complex content ecosystems.
What could be challenges for the esport events?
Since then, we’ve seen hundreds of esports events, some unforgettable, some forgettable, and a few best left forgotten. Yet at its core, esports hasn’t changed all that much. Despite massive growth, many foundational challenges remain within the industry. I’m not talking about the usual high-level concerns like profitability, sponsor ROI, or publisher-developer politics, though those undeniably greatly influence the esports industry. I’m talking about the practical, behind-the-scenes challenges that tournament organizers (TO) and production teams face, the ones rarely discussed, yet crucial to shaping every single show.
The game is too hard to get into
Not all games are meant to be easy, especially regarding esports. Each game has many rules, abilities, mechanics, bugs, and other features. Some features are considered highlights, while others keep esports in a niche category. Even though esports is widely popular worldwide, it still feels niche to a large segment of the population, particularly those whose childhood years came before the internet era. For many, the fast-paced gameplay, specialized terminology, and complex user interfaces make it a difficult world to access or connect with.
Ironically, a detailed look into sports such as football, basketball, and baseball discloses many rules and specific terms regarding the depiction of various in-game situations. Still, somehow, people are aware of and good with these. Sure, that’s the advantage of a long-time commitment to these sports, but also, let’s not forget that sports broadcasts are filled with lots of colorful content, which makes them “user-friendly” for many viewers of different ages.
So, how can you make your event friendly for the viewers even if the game is hard to understand and seems to be slow in gameplay? Storytelling is key. Stun viewers with visuals and ground it in something familiar: the game world’s magic. You should turn players into characters, tell their stories, share their struggles, and dreams. When WePlay Studios started production of ‘Astra Carnival: The Prince Cup’, one of the main tasks was to entertain the viewers between the games. For that, our team developed a series of cinematic openers and various integrations of in-game characters and locations from the game. All that combined served as a perfect distraction and viewer-friendly experience for players and viewers.
Players are not actors
This might sound obvious, but it’s often overlooked: esports players aren’t actors, and most aren’t comfortable in the spotlight outside the game. Most LAN events feature 10 to 20 teams, each comprising players with distinct personalities and backgrounds. Here’s the twist: while gameplay is the core of any esports event, it’s not enough to retain viewers. To truly engage an audience, you need to tell the stories of the players and teams. But that’s easier said than done, because, going back to the first point, esports players aren’t actors.
Athletes are often media-trained in traditional American sports like the NBA, NFL, or MLB. They understand that their public image, endorsements, and overall value go beyond just in-game performance. Their media presence is part of the job. Professional athletes are used to media scrums, speaking confidently in front of cameras, giving interviews, and posing for photos.
On the other hand, many players tend to underestimate the importance of media presence in esports. They typically shy away from journalists, avoid interviews, and generally steer clear of the spotlight, unwilling to open up their personalities to viewers. This is especially true for newcomers who are just entering the scene. Each media appearance can feel overwhelming, not to mention that playing on a big stage is already a massive challenge in itself.
There’s still a common belief among many professional esports players that being good at the game is enough. Well, that’s a myth. Media presence is essential, not just for building a fan base, but for staying relevant once your peak playing days are behind you. Players’ visibility and reputation can open doors to new opportunities after finishing their esports athlete careers, like becoming an analyst, a special guest, a streamer, or even a host for esports events. The industry needs well-spoken personalities who understand the game and can offer real insight. Still, that role is only available to those who’ve built credibility and recognition through media engagement.
On the other hand, TO still needs some good content from the media to embrace storytelling. So, how can you help players feel more comfortable, even though that might be their first esports experience? I would say there is no easy solution; however, there are a few tips that you can follow to make it work:
Tip 1: Transforming the LAN stage to something familiar
Usually, decorations and interactive elements on the stage attract viewers’ and players’ attention, serving as an anchor that brings a good vibe and comfort. However, the best way is to get something players are most familiar with, like an in-game character or even the whole location. During the series of ‘Astra Carnival: The Prince Cup Atlantic’ events, WePlay Studios made a huge effort in bringing the in-game world to the physical stage by recreating the Cat’s Tail Tavern from Genshin Impact on their Physical Stage in Los Angeles.
Our team added a mixed reality layer, turning the arena into a full 360° immersive experience. While full-fledged stage setups were undeniably a visual flex for the broadcast, they also created a sense of comfort and belonging for the players. In these familiar, game-inspired spaces, players began to relax, smile, and engage more the longer they stayed on stage, appreciating the most minor details that recreated their favorite in-game environments. By embedding the coziness of home-like setups into the stage design, we were able to reduce stress levels and help players feel grounded, even under the spotlight.
Tip 2: Bringing fun into the competition
Imagine the prize pool on the line, dozens of teams competing for their share, and the atmosphere thick with tension. There’s little room for relaxation. Players feel the weight of every move and the seconds spent making decisions. That’s why setting the right tone from the start is vital. You must remind players that this may be their first big competition, but won’t be their last. Gaining experience and securing victories are important, but what truly matters is having fun. Viewers can sense that when players genuinely enjoy the game, that excitement is contagious.
At Astra Carnival events, our stage host Jake “SirActionSlacks” Kanner played a massive role in turning the tournament into a show. He shone with some game knowledge and highlighted the personal side of each player, adding a unique dynamic to the broadcast. From the first media days to the finals, he engaged with players in a way that made them feel comfortable and connected with the audience, ensuring the event was both competitive and entertaining.
Before you go: Should Esports Be Considered a Sport?
During specific days of the competition, we introduced a few community challenges where nothing was on the line, and rivals from the tournament were forced to team up to beat some of the trickiest in-game challenges. Such a fun approach to the event helped bring some fun and reminded viewers and players that there are many ways to have fun, even on the big stage.
Esports in 2025 are bigger and bolder than ever. However, behind every million-dollar production are real people navigating real challenges. As producers, we need to build environments that don’t just showcase gameplay but make players feel seen, safe, and celebrated. And while the games change, one thing never does: It’s not just about what happens in-game, it’s about the story you tell around it.
Photo credit: All images shown are owned by WePlay Studios and were provided with permission to be used in this article.
This guest article has been submitted by Nik Fert. While we appreciate guest contributions, it's important to note that the views expressed by the author are not necessarily reflective of those held by TechAcute.