eSports events, the good, the bad and the ugly, from a parent’s perspective.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ictr.7.1.2022

Keywords:

eSports events, parents, perceptions, motivations, South Africa

Abstract

eSports events in the form of tournaments are a relatively new occurrence in South Africa. Therefore, it is vital to understand this form of entertainment, the events hosted, and the perspectives of participants and spectators. A pilot qualitative study was undertaken at a local school that hosted an interschool eSports tournament event. The study focused on the parents of minor eSports participants to gauge their perspective of the eSports events hosted, the advantages and disadvantages of participating in these events, and their actual experience of the hosted event. Out of a population of 20 parents who attended the event, six parents consented to be interviewed. Findings have been made on topics such as the addiction of minors to eSports gaming, why minors participate in eSports, the advantages and disadvantages of eSports gaming, and what parents want from eSports events. The findings of this study will direct eSports stakeholders on how to improve on offered eSports events, and inform them of the views of stakeholders. The tourism industry should take note of this newly emerging type of event, which could be a catalyst for South African events as the hub for Africa eSports events.   

Author Biographies

Rosa Naudé-Potgieter, Tshwane University of Technology

Rosa Naudé-Potgieter is a lecturer at TUT within the Tourism Department. She obtained her PhD at the North-West University in South Africa. She worked in the casino industry for just over 10 years in numerous roles, such as Marketing Manager, Operations Manager, and Business Intelligence Analyst, before moving over to academia. Rosa’s main research interests include casino management, eSports gaming events, HR and QOL.

Nosiphiwo Mahlangu, University of South Africa

Ms Nosiphiwo Mahlangu is a lecturer at the University of South Africa. She has a Master of Commerce in Tourism Management from the University of Pretoria, with her dissertation focusing on how Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) advance business tourism in a destination. She is a member of the Golden Key Honours Society. She participated in the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders program and was identified and nominated to participate in the 2023 Young Academics Programme. She has 8 years of experience in research and fieldwork, ranging from local, provincial and national project, both in South Africa and Lesotho as well as 9 years lecturing tourism at various universities in South Africa. Nosi has  co-authored a book chapter and multiple conference proceedings. She is passionate about tourism, technology which can enhance the tourism experience and is interested is seeing tourism continue to grow and contribute to local economies.

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Published

2024-03-11