Kaka-Kompyuter Mo ‘Yan: The Philippines’ First Esports Arena Is Here

(SPOT.ph) Esports is no longer a trend but a cultural mainstay and an economic powerhouse. Those parental sermons about how we're too glued to our computer screens ring hollow now—and a local university is wasting no time in embracing this phenomenon.

The Philippines’ first esports arena has been unveiled at the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Manila, which features a line-up of computers, sound systems, and facilities by ASUS. Here, students are free to play computer games while the professor gives a lecture.

There are over 43 million active gamers in the Philippine esports market, with a steady growth rate of 12.9% since 2017, according to TCP Solidiance. The country also ranks 19th in the world when it comes to competition, having earned a grand total of $19 million in prize money across 1,295 online tournaments.

So it’s no surprise LPU Manila would want in on the fun.

Also read: Why Esports is a Legitimate Sport That Will Keep Growing

ICYMI: Lyceum of the Philippines University offers BS Esports 

The significance of having an esports arena becomes even clearer considering LPU Manila's introduction of a Bachelor of Science in Esports in partnership with Tier One Entertainment in 2021. This undergraduate program offers two tracks: Esports Management and Game Design and Development.

Tier One Entertainment CEO Tryke Gutierrez had previously clarified that the curriculum is focused on forming a professional career path for people in the backend of esports. That said, BS Esports is not meant to train athletes, streamers, or casters, but to create specialists who want to work on the business, marketing, and events part of the booming esports industry.

“When you see the esports ecosystem, it is central to the player but…there’s a lot of people who’s working on the back, especially in the event,” PU Manila Dean of the College of Technology Arlene Caballero said in an interview with 24 Oras. “We believe that as a university, we should cater this gap, that there’s really a need to work on the backend of esports.”

Also read: How to Find a Job in Esports Without Playing a Single Game

Beyond talks of careers and competitions, having a physical space where gamers can play together provides a heightened sense of camaraderie from the shared experience as explained by a former team manager of PlayBook Esports Team.

“There is always an extra layer of excitement knowing that your opponent is in close proximity. How will they react to your decisions? Do they feel the same excitement as you when something epic happens? There are have been countless memories shared by players over the years because of being physically together when playing a game,” Arthur James Malgapo said.

Also read: Why Gaming Hubs Matter in Esports