Esports in the UK has seen a whirlwind of changes, challenges, and opportunities recently. Amidst the dynamic landscape, noteworthy developments have emerged, spotlighting the evolution and potential future of the scene.
A Collaborative Effort
Esports News UK, in collaboration with its betting partner GGBET UK, has been offering an in-depth exploration of various facets of the UK esports scene. The final piece in this series by Dom Sacco provides a comprehensive outlook on the future of UK esports, especially focusing on five major games.
Impact on Grassroots Esports
The closure of the Insomnia Gaming Festival has undoubtedly affected grassroots esports in the UK. However, events like Epic.LAN and LANcraft continue to provide essential LAN opportunities, maintaining a lifeline for the community.
Political Shifts and Their Influence
The political landscape has also undergone significant shifts, with Labour coming into power following the 2024 general election. The appointment of Lisa Nandy as the new culture secretary brings a fresh perspective, although the Video Games and Esports All-Party Parliamentary Group saw a reduction in its members post-election.
Thriving Competitive Scene
The competitive esports scene in the UK remains vibrant, with numerous players, talent, teams, and tournaments, particularly at the collegiate level through organizations like NSE and University Esports. Valorant Challengers esports recently revealed changes set for 2025, indicating a growing focus on this popular title.
Rising Stars and Major Teams
The UK continues to produce exceptional esports talent. Heretics recently signed UK player Benjyfishy and boast a UK coaching duo of neilzinho and weber. Notable UK players like Keiko and Mistic have also made their mark in Team Liquid, while Scottish coach DrewSpark is contributing to Sentinels' success. Promising player Theo ‘Ticey’ Cranshaw shines in Polaris, and Ross ‘aNguiSt’ Pendleton headlines CGN Esports' efforts in the DACH Evolution VCL. The British Esports Student Champs 2024 finals, featuring a match between Burnley Bees and CONEL, further underscore the domestic talent pool.
International Events and UK Presence
London has been privileged to host major global events, such as the League of Legends MSI at the Copper Box Arena and the LoL Worlds finals at the O2. The return of the UKEL, the national league for League of Legends, adds another significant milestone. Synygy, a UKEL representative, expressed optimism about the increased frequency of events in the UK: "Expect to see more and more events happening in the UK, more regular activations and Riot presence at existing events, and continued direct support for our ecosystem."
However, not all perspectives are as positive. Greggers, a UK ADC, voiced concerns: "Personally, I think UK LoL is going to completely die out, with the only thing left being grassroots and fun tournaments. There needs to be a massive change in funding at the top level to make them viable across Europe."
Experiences and Aspirations
Esports enthusiasts and professionals have high hopes for the future. Alex Lyndon, an esports student at Staffs Uni, believes in capitalizing on UK culture to build a loyal community: "I am a big fan of the likes of Ruddy etc., capitalizing on UK/London culture... calling on your team’s foundational cultures is such a good way to build a community that is loyal."
Lee Routly, a former associate producer of the UKLC, hopes for a resurgence of the UK League: "I hope to see the UK League return to the UK and see it once again given the space to grow. And with Riot’s push into the UK market with international events, I hope they can see the value of the UK market."
Challenges in Other Titles
CS2's launch has breathed new life into the scene, with UK organizations like Viperio and Into The Breach qualifying for significant tournaments like the Blast Paris Major European RMR. Despite the closure of the ESL Premiership for the UK and Ireland, the UK & Ireland Circuit and Epic.LAN continue to host vital LAN events. Into the Breach has even finalized a new roster for 2024, featuring UK personality smooya.
Comments on the Broader Landscape
Gareth, a UK caster, commented on the shifting landscape, particularly in Dota 2: "The landscape is always changing... it’s not ideal to have one event that’s 99% of the prize pool for the year. You want that spread out across multiple events and titles."
Call of Duty: A Struggling Scene
The Call of Duty (CoD) scene faces its unique set of challenges. According to Jacob Hale, a lack of national representation and fewer top-level competitors has left UK CoD fans feeling pessimistic. Hale notes that studies indicate CoD is the most popular esport in the UK, yet support and opportunities seem to be dwindling.
Nonetheless, the UK's esports scene remains a crucial part of the global tapestry, displaying resilience and an undying passion for gaming. The community's ability to adapt and grow in the face of challenges will undoubtedly shape the future of esports in the UK.