Thesis
Virtual production assisted esports media streaming
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000744
Abstract
Esports is a fast-growing gaming phenomenon often described as the stakes of "real sports" but for video games. In esports, the top players of competitive games compete for large prize pools in front of both physical and digital crowds, in real-life arenas and digital streams. This thesis attempts to identify why viewers are interested in watching these streams and how digital production can enhance the experience. Starting with a preliminary interview study with six participants of varying backgrounds, which identified several consistently repeating themes of storylines, favourite players and teams, and interest in competition of the highest level as pervasive influences regarding esports viewership, it is clear that production is an addition to proper talent selection, and enhances the experience rather than being the focus of the content itself. Using these themes, I then developed a prototype using Unreal Engine 4 to simulate a competitive eSports environment, utilizing virtual production to allow viewers to visually experience a tournament setting and experience these underlying themes in the digital realm. The prototype was then used to publicly broadcast a competitive match of Rainbow 6: Siege between two of Drexel University's competitive teams. The results of the showing indicated that viewers felt more engaged and that their stream experience had been enhanced.
Metrics
60 File views/ downloads
52 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Virtual production assisted esports media streaming
- Creators
- John Liou
- Contributors
- Nicholas E. Jushchyshyn (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 95 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Digital Media; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 991015080549004721