BA (Hons) Esports

Ethics and Codes of Conduct

As a major growing activity with ambitions to be recognized as a sport, esports faces several issues regarding conduct and authenticity.

This module explores the range of emerging player and team codes of conduct from games companies, leagues, events promoters and national governing bodies.

You will discuss ethical questions concerning behaviours, drug taking for enhancing performance, social interactions and expectations of players and audiences alike.

You will also examine the possible wide-ranging implications for the industry if esports is granted Olympic status.

Introduction to Esports: History & Context

This module will introduce you to the history, development and current trends of the esports world. Esports is a rapidly growing industry, with global tournaments offering multi-million-pound prize funds and predicted growth of the sector set to explode into multiple billions in future years.

You will examine how competitive gaming competitions grew from Stanford University’s Spacewar competition in 1972 to the mass participation global events seen today.

The module will take a specific look into the history of esports, major tournaments, events and how they will feed into future events-based modules.

Media Production for Esports: Marketing/Casting and Content

This module promotes a range of important skills which you will develop throughout your degree. It offers a first taster into the world of media production within esports such as casting, presenting, streaming, video editing and creating graphics.

Skills Development 1: Single & Team Games Analysis

This module focuses on individual and team-based games from a player’s perspective.

You will enhance your individual skillset and harness a greater understanding of the need to work in unity across a number of team-based titles. You will examine a wide range of individual and team-based titles, explore the best strategic approaches, reflect on performance, and implement new ideas based on an emerging understanding of analysis.

Game analysis is also essential to authenticity for coaches, broadcasters and journalists. The opportunity to not only visualise and analyse what is going on during matches, but also to dive into the action post-match is secured by the unique nature of data capture and the sheer amount of data available for esports analysts and players.

Sports Science: Flow State

In this module you will explore ‘flow’ in positive psychology, which also known as being in the ‘zone’.

Flow is a mental state of operation where a person is fully immersed in a feeling of energised focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the activity they are performing. Flow is characterized by being completely absorbed in what you are doing, and the resulting loss in your sense of space and time.

In eSports the ‘flow state’ enables players to react and implement moves more quickly and effectively. This module also introduce aspects of research involving sports science such as nutrition, brain activity analysis, personal behaviours and preparation.

Assessments

You will be assessed through a report or case study.

Online Event Production

In this module, you will immerse yourself in the world of online event production and management across two semesters as you prepare for your final year live event.

You will explore the complexities behind running tournaments, such as:

• game selection
• single- or multi-player
• how many players/rounds
• and timings from start to finish.

Your events will probably start as small events for closed groups, and progress during the year to be more dynamic, professional and open.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a reflective commentary and a portfolio of work.

Skills Development 2: Strategy & Gameplay

This module builds on Skills Development 1.

You will continue to develop your awareness of analysis and strategy with a focus on the opposing players/teams in team-based and individual player gaming, and how to plan strategic performances in response to the strengths and weaknesses of your opposition.

You will develop a reflective approach to analysing personal performance strengths and weaknesses to identify the skills you need to train to improve your gameplay.

Sports Science: Physicality of Gaming

In this module you will explore the physical demands of the esport player in competition as you work to define the requirements for optimal participation and performance in esports.

You will explore the physical demands and preparation for esports performance and consider the role of

• The central nervous system
• Energy demands
• Nutrition
• Repetitive movements
• Endurance activities.

You will discuss athletic esports demands and training with a focus on the metabolic, neuromuscular, neuroendocrine and cardiovascular systems of the human body to develop knowledge on the nature of esports performance.

Assessments

You will be assessed through a scientific report.

Business of Esports

Esports is a rapidly growing industry, with global tournaments offering multimillion pound prize funds and predicted growth of the sector set to explode into multiple billions in future years.

This module examines the business approaches used across the esports industry, as you explore:

• the structures regarding business
• the emergence of venture capitalist involvement
• the role technology plays
• the quest for Olympic recognition
• publishers and developers
• professional leagues
• and regulatory bodies.

You will also consider the career opportunities opening up within this industry.

Live Event Production

On this module, you will work closely with BA (Hons) Sports Media cohorts, who will provide production and event filming support, to organise and deliver a one-day live event covering a number of games and competitions.

In addition, you will fully engage with events management, finding sponsorship, establishing branding and advertising the event.

Skills Development 3: Coaching, Management & Performance

This final skills module focuses on the role of the coach and manager and their impact on performance.

Using the skills you gained in previous modules you will analyse and reflect on number of games as you coach and manage your team/s in and out of competition.

You are expected to show professionalism at all times and clear leadership qualities as you develop a much deeper understanding of the role and the importance of team work to achieve successes above targets.

Independent Research Project

This module enables students to work on an independent research project to pursue specialist interests and enhance their knowledge of the esports sector.

Immersive Technologies and the Competitive Game Player

Professional esports players are using virtual and augmented reality devices and more sophisticated and realistic haptic controllers for training and competition. As their place in esport grow, so does the need to understand how these devices impact players in terms of their competitive physical performance, psychology and emotional response, and depth of immersion. On this module you will investigate the complex relationships between the competitive game player and new audio-visual and haptic technologies.

Sports Science: Psychology of Esports

One of the fundamental concerns of sports psychologists and coaches is enabling an athlete to perform to their potential in training and competition. Researchers and practitioners must understand the psychological pressures inherent in training and competition and the potential consequences of these pressures to support athletes appropriately. Given the team nature of esports, you must also consider the factors which impact the effectiveness of group functioning and the potential consequences to group performance. In this module you will develop your understanding of the psychological demands of training and performance and explore how these demands can be managed, regulated and controlled.