Esports is increasingly partnering with other technology sectors like cloud computing, fintech, and cybersecurity to enhance the gaming experience and improve the overall infrastructure of the industry.
Cloud technology allows for seamless gameplay without the need for high-end hardware, as players can access games from any device with an internet connection. Fintech partnerships enable the creation of virtual currencies, player salaries, and prize pools, while also providing secure payment processing for in-game purchases.
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Additionally, cybersecurity partnerships help to protect players’ personal and financial information and prevent cheating or hacking during competitive play. As the esports industry continues to grow, these partnerships will become even more crucial in supporting its ongoing success.
Esports & cloud
In March, South Korea based Megazone Cloud invested in now.gg, Inc. to enable Asian game developers to bring their games to the cloud, opening up new business models and global audiences for them.
With now.gg, Inc.’s technology-focused offerings, game developers can explode the discovery surface for their games by offering a high-quality ad-free cross-platform experience for their games.
With access to cloud solutions, developers can focus on creating the best possible gaming experiences for their players, while reaching new audiences globally
Ju-wan Lee, CEO of Megazone Cloud
“With access to cloud solutions, developers can focus on creating the best possible gaming experiences for their players, while reaching new audiences globally. The new partnership between Megazone Cloud and now.gg is expected to be a major boost to Korean mobile game developers,” Ju-wan Lee, CEO of Megazone Cloud.
Megazone Cloud is Asia’s leading cloud player with the largest number of game customers in Korea, and now.gg, Inc. is one of the largest cloud gaming services in the world with 6B+ minutes played per monthly and 20M+ MAU. The announcement is a continuation of a long-standing partnership between the companies, which aims to assist local game developers in expanding their reach and audience through breakthrough cloud gaming technology.
Esports & cybersecurity
In March, esports organization Reckoning Esports tied up with Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity company, to enhance cybersecurity in esports.
Growth in esports has attracted cybersecurity threats targeting esports events and players. This partnership aims to address this growing concern by leveraging Kaspersky’s expertise in cybersecurity to bring fearless gaming for Reckoning Esports’ teams.
Esports has become a prime target for cyberthreats and as an esports organization, we recognize the importance of protecting our operations and players from such threats
Sharang Naicker, CEO & Founder, Reckoning Esports
Sharang Naicker, CEO & Founder said, “Esports has become a prime target for cyberthreats and as an esports organization, we recognize the importance of protecting our operations and players from such threats.”
“Through this collaboration, we aim to provide a safe and secure gaming experience for esports enthusiasts in India and the esport community. We believe our solutions will help protect Reckoning’s players and their data from cyber threats, ensuring that they can focus on what really matters – the game,” Purshottam Bhatia, Head of Consumer Business for South Asia, Kaspersky noted.
Esports & FinTech
In February, Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, tied up with Mastercard to simplify and customize payment processes for players and developers. Mastercard has been penetrating the gaming arena lately.
Both companies plan to collaborate on frictionless, secure, and rewarding payments for gamers – from enhanced checkout experiences using credit card loyalty points to simple in-game currency gifting to improved creator payout processes and more.
Xsolla also declared expanding its Digital Distribution Hub into the global telecommunications industry and its global audience of 7.3 billion mobile phone users. Mobile devices have been fueling gaming growth among all demographics and regions, with nearly 3.2 billion people – nearly half the world’s population – estimated to have played games in 2022. But the digital commerce experiences that fuel developers’ innovation in gaming have not kept pace with the growth.
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Lastly, developers will soon have a new way to reach a larger audience worldwide by connecting more number of players through the cloud and offering a new pay-as-you-go model. More than 40% of consumers say they need help to buy in-game currency, and more than 30% say it takes too many steps to make online gaming purchases. Nearly 30% say the gifting process could be more efficient, according to Mastercard research.
For the first time, Mastercard cardholders will be able to use Pay with Points to seamlessly redeem their loyalty points for in-game purchases – this solution will be integrated into Xsolla’s Pay Station product. Players can also gift in-game currency to friends and family.
