Companies are using blockchain technology to solve problems that have developed as esports have evolved. Network Units, whose pre-ICO begins on November 8th, has developed an online gaming platform with a built-in player conduct and reputation management system. The platform is designed to eliminate the toxic members of communities who abuse others, exploit the system and cheat the game. Esports.com, which kicked off its ICO period on November 1st, provides a platform for merchandise sales, licensed gambling and user generated educational content. The platform is sold as a solution to eliminating problems related to low community engagement. Whitepapers for both initial coin offerings are linked for your convenience.
Howie Long Short: Activision Blizzard (ATVI) reported a Q3 record with $1.9 billion in revenue generated (+17% YOY) and the company raised full-year revenue guidance from $6.4 billion to $6.68 billion ($2.08/share); crediting the growth to the success of September’s Destiny 2 launch and the King mobile games division (i.e. Candy Crush Saga), which reported growth for the first time since Q1 ‘16. Keep an eye on the company’s much anticipated Overwatch esports league which will debut in December, just don’t expect it to be an immediate revenue generator. CEO Robert Kotick has tempered expectations saying, “the first season is really about building a solid foundation.”
Fan Marino: The audience for video game streaming is 600 million and growing, so streaming sites are aggressively working to add streamers. Twitch, the Amazon (AMZN) owned streaming site, grew its number of concurrent streamers 67% in Q3 (to 25K); as the company began offering smaller streamers’ the opportunity to generate revenue. For comparison purposes, YouTube (GOOGL) Gaming (the next most popular site) had just 8,200 concurrent streamers.
The Esports Industry Is Booming — Can Blockchain Supercharge It?
Editor Note: The summary for this story was co-written by our friends at The Water Coolest. Check out TheWaterCoolest.com for the latest market news and professional advice.
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