Nearly 200 colleges and universities across the US and Canada are already actively recruiting for eSports scholarships, but the PlayVS startup is hoping to start the competition at the high school level. The Los Angeles-based venture-backed organization has already partnered with the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) and is aiming to bring eSports to the 14.5 million high schoolers in the national league. This partnership with NFHS would allow the PlayVS start-up to easily scale its technology and publisher relations within the high school athletic league and leverage its network to spread the first high school eSports league.
While a few high school eSports leagues have spread throughout North America, PlayVS has a distinct advantage, aside from its connection to NFHS. The start-up's relation with game publishers would allow the company to plug games at an API level and could easily allow for coordination with publishers to have games introduced to the league. The PlayVS start-up sees the introduction of eSports into high schools as more than just an entertainment tool, as the company truly believes that the experience will help develop life skills, grow STEM interest and foster a pastime into an educational tool.
High School eSports Leagues
The PlayVS Startup Wants to Use eSports as an Educational Tool
Trend Themes
1. High School Esports Leagues - PlayVS aims to create a national league for high school eSports and sees it as more than just an entertainment tool, working to develop life skills and foster STEM interest.
2. Esports Scholarships - As nearly 200 universities are actively recruiting for eSports scholarships, high school eSports leagues could serve as a feeder system for these scholarships.
3. Educational Gaming - The integration of eSports into high schools presents an opportunity to demonstrate the positive impact of gaming on education.
Industry Implications
1. Education - High school eSports leagues present an opportunity for educational institutions to demonstrate their ability to adapt to new technologies and prepare students for the digital age.
2. Gaming - Game publishers can leverage partnerships with high school eSports leagues to introduce their games to a new generation and develop a pipeline for future esports athletes.
3. Sports Broadcasting - If high school eSports leagues continue to grow in popularity, there may be opportunities for traditional sports broadcasters to branch out and cover these events as well.