HNC/D Esports Production

The esports industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and it continues to grow exponentially in the UK and globally. With that growth comes an abundance of career opportunities. This unit will introduce you to the network of organisations and key stakeholders, such as publishers, teams, leagues, tournaments and governing bodies, that form the esports ecosystem which, compared with most established industries, is in its infancy and some might say embryonic. While the significant growth of the industry is exciting, rapid expansion comes with difficulties that may need consideration for the sustainability of esports. You will explore a range of topics, including potential employment opportunities. Who are the key stakeholders in esports? Does esports operate under structural restraints due to the ownership of esports titles versus the needs of governing bodies to formulate a level playing field for all? How does this impact on questions around credibility and legitimacy? Who owns esports and can it facilitate effective governorship like traditional sport? With an understanding of the industry and potential future developments, you can research existing enterprises and professionals to consider your own preferred career pathways in readiness to formulate a strategic career plan.

In the fast-paced world of esports, where split-second decision making and strategic thinking can determine the outcome of a game, the ability to analyse skills and tactics is of utmost importance. This unit aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to assess and enhance the skill and tactical performance of esports performers. By analysing your own gameplay, participants can identify areas for improvement and focus on developing specific skills. Whether it is improving aiming accuracy, enhancing movement mechanics or refining reaction times, skill analysis enables individuals to optimise their performance and reach their full potential as esports athletes. Moreover, tactical analysis plays a vital role in enhancing team performance. By evaluating gameplay footage and studying the strategies employed by successful teams, coaches and participants can gain insight into effective team compositions, objective control and map control techniques. This knowledge enables athletes and their coaches to formulate and adapt team strategies, making informed decisions during competitive matches. In addition to improving individual and team performance, skill and tactics analysis also fosters critical thinking and decision-making skills. Esports games are constantly evolving, with new updates, patches and strategies emerging regularly. By analysing gameplay, you can develop the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, anticipate opponents' moves and make split-second decisions that can sway the outcome of a match. These skills are transferable to various aspects of life and can benefit you in a range of future careers in the esports industry, including performance analysis, esports coaching and game development. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of evidence-informed performance analysis, giving those who aspire to become athletes, coaches or team managers the ability to provide valuable guidance to players, enhance team performance and facilitate the overall growth and success of your esports organisation.

Esports events are one of the most exciting and enjoyable aspects of the industry. From large-scale international tournaments to smaller-scale training camps and conferences, esports events allow enthusiasts to join together to share a unique experience. The aim of this unit is for you to gain first-hand experience of the planning requirements for an esports event to ensure it will engage the target audience. You will also learn about the financial aspects of esports events and how to produce a budget based on realistic financial forecasts. You will then deliver and review your own esports event. On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to apply a range of organisational, administrative and financial skills within the context of esports event planning. You will also understand how to deliver an esports event to ensure your plans are implemented successfully to meet set objectives and engage the intended audience. This unit is linked to employment opportunities in event planning and management.

This unit is assessed through a Pearson-set assignment. The project brief will be set by SGS College, based on a theme provided by Pearson (this will change annually). The theme and chosen project within the theme will enable you to explore and examine a relevant and topical aspect of esports in the context of a business environment. Esports is a global industry that engages a range of different audiences and stakeholders across the gaming landscape. It is a growth market supported by a diverse demographic, from amateur to professional, and a strong business focus on monetisation strategies, marketing, sponsorship and franchising. As an esports professional it is important to understand the key drivers within the industry that influence growth and revenues. The aim of this unit is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate the research skills required for developing a deeper understanding of esports and the ability to use data and evidence to inform decisions. You will undertake independent research and investigation of a theme set by Pearson. Based on these findings, you will use the outcomes to provide solutions to an esports brief that will then be presented with justifications. On successful completion of this unit, you will have the confidence to engage in decision making, problem solving, research activities and project-planning tasks. You will have the fundamental knowledge and skills that will enable you to investigate and examine esports concepts in a work-related, professional context to determine appropriate outcomes and solutions.

Audio-visual production plays a paramount role in the success and remarkable growth of esports. Its impact goes far beyond the live event experience, significantly shaping the industry's image, attracting valuable sponsors, engaging viewers and fostering the development of talented individuals. Throughout this unit, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles underlying light, sound and visual output. By grasping these principles, you will have the opportunity to develop strategies tailored specifically to the dynamic esports environment. The unit focuses on enhancing the overall audience experience during events by working from a given brief. You will actively engage in the identification of sound capture, lighting and broadcast opportunities; analysing and exploiting your potential. Through application of theoretical concepts, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to create a captivating and memorable audience experience. On successful completion of this unit, you will have the opportunity to understand the intricacies of job roles and comprehend technical equipment, and leverage this knowledge to fulfil the demands of a predefined brief. This will not only elevate your understanding of the technical set-up for an esports event but also allow you to gain an understanding of the industry's future requirements. This hands-on experience equips you with practical expertise and an awareness of the evolving needs within the audio-visual production industry, paving the way for your future success in this dynamic field.

In the fast-paced world of esports, streaming and broadcasting have revolutionised the industry's reach and impact. With a passionate fan base, esports has harnessed the power of streaming technologies to deliver thrilling gameplay and competitive events to a global audience. Through live streaming and on-demand content, esports enthusiasts can engage with their favourite games and players, breaking barriers of distance and time. The immersive and interactive nature of esports broadcasts, with audience interaction tools and multiple camera angles, creates a dynamic viewing experience that rivals traditional sports. Streaming and broadcasting have propelled esports to global prominence, enabling fans to connect, participate and celebrate the excitement of competitive gaming like never before. This unit provides a comprehensive understanding of streaming and broadcasting in esports. By exploring key topics such as platforms, workflow design, infrastructure and audience interaction, you will gain the knowledge and skills to excel in the field. Through theory, practice and analysis, you will develop a deep understanding of technical aspects, enabling informed decisions, optimised quality and engaging broadcasts. Emphasising infrastructure, networking and audience interaction, the unit prepares you for the dynamic world of esports streaming, equipping you for success in this exciting industry. In streaming and broadcasting, various roles contribute to content production, distribution and management. These include broadcast engineers, camera operators, video editors, producers, directors, production assistants, sound engineers, broadcast journalists/anchors, broadcast technicians and content strategists. Each role plays a vital part in this dynamic industry. The aim of this unit is to provide you with essential skills and knowledge for excelling in esports streaming and broadcasting. You will understand various platforms and technologies, enabling informed selection based on streaming needs. You will master designing and implementing comprehensive workflows with multiple angles and interactive features. You will learn to evaluate and select suitable streaming platforms by understanding their features, content delivery methods, monetisation models and audience interaction tools. Additionally, you will develop proficiency in configuring advanced streaming settings using industry standard software and equipment to optimise quality and ensure compatibility with different devices and networks. You will also acquire the ability to evaluate streaming platforms and technologies based on factors including latency, scalability and audience engagement; proposing effective strategies to enhance viewer experience. Finally, you will master the design and implementation of comprehensive streaming workflows for esports events, incorporating multiple camera angles, overlays and audience interaction features while adhering to production planning principles. These skills will enable you to deliver engaging and seamless broadcasts, making a valuable contribution to the industry.

An esports broadcast is never quite complete without its talent: storytellers and entertainers through and through who allow the audience to fully experience a broadcast. From hosts kicking off with explosive energy to analysts breaking down the stats and numbers for each team to educate and inform their audience on the nuance of each team’s style of play, talent forms an integral pillar of the broadcasting industry, esports or otherwise. The main focus of this unit is developing performance skills that will equip you with the skills you need to perform inside an esports talent team. You will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of the voice, how it is used and how it can be mastered. You will learn how to allow for the analysis of a performance, create and develop the stories and narratives that come from esports and cultivate collaborative skills that will allow for successful synergies with all members of a talent team. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to demonstrate a firm understanding of how the voice works, how it should be maintained and how it can be used with proficiency. You will also be able to analyse performance, of an esports talent member, identify key weaknesses and strengths of their performance and give feedback on what developments are needed and how they can be made. Finally, you will gain the skills to be able to deliver a strong performance in any talent role. You will end this unit with communication skills, public speaking skills, confidence and analysis skills that can be applied to many roles inside and outside the esports industry, such as casting, interviewing, hosting, news anchoring (or any broadcast talent role), reporting, human resources, marketing and sales, education, public relations and social media management.

The successful management and execution of esports tournaments requires meticulous planning, efficient organisation and seamless coordination of all stakeholders related to competitive gaming events. Profitable tournaments run smoothly, adhere to clear established rules and regulations, and provide an optimal experience for participants and spectators. This unit provides a solid foundation for you to pursue careers in tournament operations in the esports industry or roles in event management. The main objective of this unit is to equip you with a holistic comprehension of the fundamental principles and strategies employed in the coordination and administration of esports tournaments. In addition, you will delve into conflict resolution techniques, the crucial role of referees and cheating in esports. Different tournament formats used in the esports industry will be explored, with consideration of factors such as player experience, scheduling, logistics and competitive fairness. You will gain the skills to design and propose optimal tournament formats for specific esports titles, considering the unique characteristics of each game and the needs of players and audiences. The unit emphasises the importance of maintaining competitive integrity; teaching you comprehensive strategies to detect and prevent cheating, match-fixing and other integrity breaches. Through this unit, you will acquire a deep understanding of the decision-making principles required to resolve conflicts and enforce rules consistently.