In the world of cinema, a box office opening weekend of $100 million like The Batman is considered huge. To measure the success of the video-game Grand Theft Auto V, you would have to multiply that figure by 10. If The Batman is huge, Esports is ginormous.
Esports is video gaming for the competitive.
It gives extra thrill by pitting players or whole groups of players against each other and transforms online video gaming into a spectator sport. The top events regularly attract more than a million viewers, but the volatility of Esports over geographic boundaries coupled by a lack of defined rules right now places it in an international grey area.
A study by the Culture Committee in the European Parliament recommends the setting up of a European Agency for Esports as well as a European Law to standardise this growing passion and industry.
I strongly believe that Malta needs to be at the forefront of this process.
I believe that minimal European standardisation would be beneficial as it would stipulate the definition of E-sports and make clear distinctions between the different fields. Malta should take the lead on this while keeping a vigilant eye so that EU legislation does not encroach onto iGaming which is subject to an altogether different set of challenges and needs.
Malta has it all to become the natural hub for Esports development and competition venue. These islands were already pioneers in the financial services sector and the first EU member state to regulate online gaming in 2004. We have a combination of business-friendly practices and succeeded in attracting iGaming enterprises covering the full panoply of business models. Nothing should hinder us from replicating this success for E-sports.
Malta has a reliable internet infrastructure and a strong fibre optic network with nationwide 5G access.
It is blessed by a unique historic legacy and the Mediterranean sun and sea, making it an excellent tourist destination. We should therefore strive to attract the biggest Esport leagues and tournaments in the world.
Malta attracts businesses because it offers access to English-speaking employees and a well-established network of support – legal firms, accountants, financial services and content marketing agencies.
We are a small country yes, but in life, competitive advantage stems from the ability to master rapid adaptation. Our limited size forces us into close proximity, making it easier for the different actors to communicate with each other. This facilitates the formation of connections, and the flow of new ideas, which in turn leads to problem-solving.
Malta has exciting prospects to develop into the main European Esports jurisdiction. An imperative first step in this direction is a wide discussion with stakeholders, open to the world, with a view to establish our own legal framework to attract Esports investments through tailor made solutions. A second or concurrent step is for Malta to play an active role in European to shape European debate with regard to Esports.
I will continue to play my part to see that we can adapt Europe to the ambitions and needs of the Maltese people, even on Esports. As a father of three avid gamers, and an occasional gamer myself, I am also keen to explore possibilities of how gaming skills can eventually turn into a vocational or professional skills and aptitudes. What if Esports was the answer to hone team working skills at work? What if our best managers could be spotted through their team gaming behaviour?
There is a wide universe out there to explore, let’s dare to venture into it.
Peter Agius is a PN spokesperson and MEP candidate
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