ESPORTS HUB DESIGNING AN ESPORTS HUB EXPERIENCE Bhaktapur

Abstract

As the esports industry continues to grow in popularity, there is an increasing need for dedicated venues that provide an engaging and immersive experience for players and spectators alike. This undergraduate thesis explores the process of designing an esports hub experience that maximizes engagement and immersion, drawing on research from a variety of sources, including case studies of existing esports venues, interviews with players and industry experts, and best practices in experiential design. The project begins with an overview of the esports industry and its rapid growth, highlighting the need for venues that can accommodate the unique requirements of competitive gaming events while providing a memorable and immersive experience for visitors. It then examines the key elements of experiential design, including storytelling, theming, interactivity, and immersion, and how these principles can be applied to the design of an esports hub. Drawing on case studies of existing esports venues, the project identifies key design features that contribute to a successful esports hub experience, including customizable lighting and sound systems, high-quality visual displays, and flexible, modular spaces that can be adapted for different types of events. Interviews with players and industry experts provide additional insight into the needs and desires of the gaming community, informing the development of a comprehensive design proposal. The design proposal itself emphasizes the importance of creating a space that is both engaging and immersive, offering visitors a sense of excitement and energy that reflects the dynamic nature of competitive gaming. Key features of the design include a modular space that can be customized to accommodate different types of events, high-quality audio and visual systems, interactive elements that encourage visitor participation, and theming and storytelling elements that create a memorable and immersive experience. Ultimately, this undergraduate thesis presents a comprehensive design proposal for an esports hub experience that maximizes engagement and immersion, reflecting the needs and desires of the gaming community while providing an exciting and memorable space for esports events. The project seeks to contribute to the ongoing growth and success of the esports industry.