Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley Hosts First VR Esports Tournament
Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley recently hosted its inaugural virtual reality (VR) esports tournament called The Gauntlet Cup. This groundbreaking tournament brought together the immersion of VR gaming and the benefits of physical exercise. It provided a platform for local companies, games-developers, and startups to collaborate, share ideas, and compete in a commercially neutral environment.
The Gauntlet Cup utilized BearHammer’s Venture Gauntlet VR, an obstacle course that challenged players’ stamina, accuracy, and reflexes. Participants navigated treacherous terrains, solved puzzles, and tackled various obstacles in the virtual world. This tournament showcased the future of video games and esports, highlighting the presence of major gaming organizations like Riot Games, Twitch, and FACEIT in the UK.
BearHammer’s Venture Gauntlet VR game introduced a groundbreaking concept that merged the entertainment of video games with the benefits of physical exercise. This immersive experience pushed the boundaries of esports and demonstrated unique applications of immersive technology for public health. Gareth Randle emerged as the winner of the Gauntlet Cup, earning a Quest 2 VR headset, while two runner-ups received £50 vouchers.
Expanding the North East’s Gaming Industry
The Gauntlet Cup not only captivated a new audience of gamers in the North East but also fostered economic growth. Advanced Media Production Gateshead hosted the event in partnership with BearHammer Games, Digital Catapult, and Innovate UK. Digital Catapult’s focus on growing critical economic sectors in the UK, coupled with its Advanced Media Production network and team of experts, will play a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of game developers and the UK gaming industry as a whole.
The North East’s gaming industry is on the rise, now accounting for 5.4% of the UK’s games development workforce. Over the past year, games development in the region has experienced a remarkable 45% growth. The UK gaming industry is a significant employer, with a surge of 11.4% in overall employment and a nearly 18% increase in studio numbers in 2023, according to The Independent Game Developers’ Association (TIGA).
Testimonials and Future Outlook
Sophie Craggs, the Studio Manager at Advanced Media Production Gateshead, expressed her excitement about hosting such an innovative event and the positive impact it had on the North East’s gaming community. Brian Allen, Studio Director at BearHammer Games, emphasized the unique nature of Ventures Gauntlet VR, which challenges both the mind and body. The winner of the Gauntlet Cup, Gareth Randle, expressed his enthusiasm for more VR gaming experiences and predicted incredible future growth in the industry.
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