The extension of a burgeoning partnership between Gravity Media and Riot Games could help to ‘revolutionize eSports broadcast productions worldwide.’
That’s according to Gravity’s Executive Director Eamonn Dowdall, who made the lofty prediction after his firm agreed on a deal to provide Riot with a new remote broadcast center (RBC) in Seattle.
The two companies linked up to great effect at the start of 2023, with Gravity successfully delivering a managed services solution at Riot’s RBC in Dublin, Ireland.
This new venture is providing opportunities for more than 30 broadcast specialists across EVS, engineering, audio, and media asset management to contribute to Riot’s production of live eSports events for global audiences.
The 70,000-square foot production space is Riot’s second strategically placed RBC around the globe, both of which are designed to support regional and global live eSports events.
The recent 2023 VALORANT Game Changers Championship, which took place at Riot’s eSports studio in Sao Paulo, was the first live eSports event supported by the Seattle RBC.
Game Changers teams from across the world battled throughout the year to become one of the qualifiers for this prestigious event.
The 2023 edition of the tournament included teams from the Middle East, North America, Europe and Africa. Brazil, Asia Pacific, East Asia, and the LATAM region were also represented.
The prestigious tournament garnered significant interest from the online gambling industry, which is developing robust links with the eSports sector worldwide. That point was strongly evidenced in Australia, where eSports betting is slowly crossing into the mainstream.
Traditional sports such as Australian Rules Football, cricket, rugby league, and horse racing have historically dominated the landscape in Australia, with the leading online sportsbooks offering extensive coverage of events in those categories throughout the year.
However, several Australian betting sites have recognized the burgeoning potential in eSports and now offer odds on leagues and tournaments from across the world. Punters were able to wager on the Game Changers Championship – an event that was live-streamed in its entirety by the Seattle RBC.
Equipped with a Technical Operations Centre (TOC), six production control rooms (PCRs), and three remote casting insert stages, the new facility also has six audio control rooms (ACRs) and multiple bullpens for in-game camera operators, graphics, replay, and editing.
Riot’s growing partnership with Gravity opens the door for broadcast talent across their global network of offices to pursue careers in the eSports industry.
Dowdall’s bullishness about the new facility in Seattle is understandable, given the success of the RBC in Dublin, and he believes this latest development will play a key role in building eSports fandom with millions of viewers around the world.
“The world of eSports continues to develop at a fast pace and is an ever-growing market for us as a business alongside our managed services solution,” .
“Gravity Media is delighted to be supporting Riot Games in Seattle and developing our partnership further. As we venture into this new chapter of collaboration, this opportunity allows us to truly leverage and showcase our global eSports credentials and world-leading broadcast talent.
“Working closely with Riot Games in Seattle, Gravity Media will build a team of highly skilled, motivated, and ambitious individuals who will support Riot Games as they continue to revolutionize eSports broadcast productions worldwide.”