The Bren Events Center powered by Blizzard

 Big Idea: Request an opportunity to meet with Blizzard in hopes to initiate a partnership opportunity with UC Irvine and the Bren Events Center located on campus. UCI should have Blizzard as the presenting sponsor of the Bren Events Center and be the first university in North America to create the largest multi-purpose eSports venue in the world. 

Reasoning: After research through online sources as well as speaking directly with Blizzard representatives, we have decided that they would be a great partner for UCI through a mutually beneficial deal. UCI is looking for a way to grow collegiate Esports through showing the benefits of the program both educationally and socially through their current curriculum of Esports engineering and multiple on-campus sites hosting competitive and recreational gaming for the student body to develop a fun and inclusive environment. Their current Esports facilities are popular among the student body. However, there is currently not a facility that can accommodate all of the people interested. The Bren Events Center hopes to fix that issue by providing a large facility that can accommodate gamers and those curious in gaming through their state of the art facilities and gamer specific accommodations. Blizzard will be able to benefit from this partnership by being able to develop its brand to become part of the mainstream culture. 

 

Currently, Esports is in the expansion stage of its business cycle. People have gained interest in the sport by watching online as well as attending their venue events. 

However, the sport struggles to get major sponsors that UCI can help with given their vast array of current corporate sponsors across campus. In particular, UCI Athletics has a partnership with Learfield IMG College, a multimedia rights company in Intercollegiate Athletics. This can be established through various Esports tournaments held by the school where UCI/Learfeild can reach out to their plethora of corporate sponsors to help with branding and mainstream alignment efforts while Blizzard can provide their expertise in the gaming field to provide the best experience for the public. 

Why UCI?: UCI is the first public university to create an official eSports scholarship program and is regarded as one of the best and most comprehensive eSports programs in the world. Of the university’s 33,000+ student population 72% of undergraduate students at UCI identified themselves as gamers. In 2015, College Magazine ranked UCI the #1 school for gamers in North America. With a successful Computer Game Science major, a thriving gaming community, and a history of elite competition. UCI is a natural place for eSports to thrive with its current successful athletics department as well as close relations with corporate sponsors they can develop events that further the Esports industry. Working with student leaders, faculty, UCI’s gaming community, and forward-thinking administration, the eSports program was announced in the spring of 2016. On September 23, 2016, the UCI eSports Arena powered by iBUYPOWER was opened, and UCI offered scholarships to its first League of Legends teams. This would align with their current sponsorship of Blizzard to TESPA which is a network of students, competitors, and club leaders. Sponsorship of the multi-purpose eSports venue would make a lasting image for eSports fans everywhere while partnering with the #1 Esports collegiate program in the country. UCI’s Bren Events Center can be the springboard to Esports programs around the country and integrate them into college life.

Why Blizzard?: Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher based in Irvine, California, and is a subsidiary of the American company Activision Blizzard. Activision Blizzard, Inc., has grown to become the world’s largest and most profitable western interactive entertainment company. They have created some of the most valuable and beloved entertainment franchises in the world; Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm, and Overwatch. Their current involvement with collegiate students, competitors, and club leaders through TESPA has made them a great sponsor. Their understanding of gaming tournaments across the country can provide insight to develop success for the center during gaming tournaments by providing information for the best viewing experience for fans who come into the arena by providing the right seating accommodations as well as the right in-arena attractions.

UCI eSports Pillars COMPETITION: We recruit the best gamers in the world to compete for our teams in the top collegiate leagues in North America. We offer scholarships to players for both League of Legends and Overwatch. We also support our student club teams with access to the arena, jerseys, and travel expenses. Our teams redefine what it means to be an elite gamer by instilling the values of appreciation for diversity, healthy living, academic success, and life balance. 

ACADEMICS & RESEARCH: UCI is at the forefront of game-related education and research. Given UCI’s support of Esports there is a possibility for classes to be focused on Esport computer engineering and broadcasting. One of the most successful studies on the arena was a neuroscience study involving Minecraft demonstrating that 3D immersive games can improve memory. We also funded 12 research projects related to video games through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. In May of 2017, we hosted our first academic symposium, bringing together some of the top academics from around the country to discuss the world of eSports. 

COMMUNITY: UCI is home to some of the biggest gaming clubs in the nation and has a very strong community. A 2015 survey indicated that 72% of undergraduate students identified themselves as gamers. The Association of Gamers (TAG) - UCI’s largest club - supports casual and competitive play and connects people who love to play games. The UCI eSports Arena 

powered by iBUYPOWER is a new home for gamers and allows people to play their favorite games while on campus. 

ENTERTAINMENT: The arena presents opportunities for gamers to learn about the world of eSports media. With the Oomba.TV shoutcasting station and streaming program, UCI students can create original content and SHOUTcast ( a cross-platform for streaming media over the internet) live events. Students are able to develop the skills necessary to pursue a career in fields including video production, streaming, hosting, and many others. We also offer regular tournaments and events for local competitive and recreational gamers. 

The Case: UC Irvine and UCI Athletics are committed to providing across-the-board facility improvements that will positively impact UCI’s ability to compete nationally in recruiting, training, and competition preparation for our student-athletes and coaches. State-of-the-art facilities attract first-class student-athletes and produce first-class athletic programs. A properly designed multipurpose eSports arena will not only provide a first-class opportunity for our student-athletes but it will enable UCI Athletics to provide a unique in-game eSports experience to fans and students attending athletic events. UCI should seek a $100-$200 million presenting sponsorship deal with Blizzard to assist with arena renovations to the Bren Events Center and enable the opportunity for the University to host large-scale eSports tournaments, conventions, concerts and graduation ceremonies. 

The multi-purpose e-sports venue would be dedicated both to gamers and to casual fans of video game culture while simultaneously bringing the UCI community together and providing a first-class eSports gameday experience at UCI Athletic events like no other. 

The Need: A significant investment to improve UCI’s Bren Event’s Center will enable student-athletes to achieve academically and athletically – as leaders at UC Irvine and within their future communities. The one trait these student-athletes all share is the drive to succeed in both their academic and their athletic pursuits. This is why the best and brightest student-athletes choose UC Irvine. Notably, UCI’s Men and Women’s Basketball and Men and Women’s Volleyball programs are competing against other nationally ranked programs with facilities in place that are more conducive to high-level play and ultimately translate to winning. In order for UC Irvine’s Athletics and UCI eSports programs to continue to compete at a high level, it too must provide these necessary opportunities. 

“Universities and sports in the United States are like a needle and thread- one cannot go without the other. Almost all prodigious universities have sports teams that they are renowned for and there are many cases where players who stand out in the collegiate leagues move on to the major leagues.” – Mark Deppe, Acting Director of UCI Esports 

That is why we should be at the forefront here at UCI with collaborative efforts between Athletics and eSports to continue the growth of both programs. Here at UCI, we provide the students involved with eSports with the same resources that we provide our intercollegiate athletics program with professional training with pro gamers and coaching staff, as well as scholarships for players. 

The Plan: The Bren Events Center or the Bren, is a 6,000-seat indoor arena on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. It opened January 8, 1987, with UCI Men’s Basketball vs. Utah State. It serves as the home to UC Irvine Anteaters’ athletic programs. Men's and Women’s basketball, and Men's and Women’s volleyball all play their home games at Bren. It is also used for concerts, trade fairs, conventions, Broadway shows, and graduation ceremonies. 

It is a 65,000 assignable (90,000 gross) square-foot multi-purpose facility servicing the University and all of southern California. It features a 22,000-square-foot (2,043 m²) arena which hosts UCI Anteater Basketball, volleyball and serves as a general assembly space for special events. Additional conference and meeting spaces are available to support arena events and to host small meetings.

 In addition, it provides: 

• An arena of approximately 21,250 ASF that accommodates intercollegiate regulation basketball. 

• An arena that can be converted into three courts for recreational use for basketball and volleyball. 

• An arena with seating of 4,984 for spectator sporting events and 5,710 for concerts, lectures, and conventions. 

• The Koll Room, a multi-purpose room of 1,820 ASF on the arena level to accommodate meetings, receptions, and instruction. 

• The Stewart Room, a room of 1,600 ASF suitable for receptions for 150 and banquet seating for 60. 

• The Berry Family Terrace, an outdoor terrace of 4,480 ASF suitable for intermission and pre- or post-event receptions. 

The capital improvement plans for the Bren Events Center catered to Athletics and eSports are listed below: 

New venue features:

• LED Screens/Ribbon 

• Modular stage that can be adjusted depending on how many competitors will be facing off. 

• Added seating for 15,000-20,000 spectators. 

• Audience stands that can be easily removed for non-competitive events. 

• Full production studio along with a commentary booth. 

• Glowy "hype tunnel" that gamers and athletes walk through just as they take the court/stage. 

• VIP rooms that come complete with televisions, couches. 

• "Boss Level" room overlooking the arena, beer taps. 

• New Team Locker Rooms 

• Expansion of the Koll Room (hospitality room) 

• Connected practice facility for Men’s and Women’s Basketball 

• Coaches Offices 

• Arcade games are also placed next to the bar, for anyone looking for a quicker gaming snack. 

• (Another Big Idea) Andréis Restaurant that will feature non-greasy fare specifically aimed at gamers likely to have their hands on controllers and keyboards. Options include flatbreads, rice bowls, and Maki rolls. 

 

Conclusion: The Bren Center powered by Blizzard would provide facilities for the most immersive gaming and viewing experience. This facility would also be used in an emerging Esport academic program where classes can be taught to students in computer engineering and broadcasting as a curriculum is developed. UCI and Blizzard can both benefit from a presenting sponsorship of the Bren Center as what will be the epicenter of Esports development. 

 

Things Missing: 

 

·        Concrete numbers on who comes to the current Esports center as well as the attendance and interest of those who want to come to the games but can’t due to overcapacity. 

·        A list of all official sponsors of UCI 

·        Renderings and estimated budgets of facilities including a designated Blizzard store for sell of merchandise, blizzard games and  gaming equipment, 

·        Attendance figures of UCI volleyball and basketball games to understand the traffic that will be coming in that can be new potential customers for Blizzard 

The Bren Events Center Powered by Blizzard would be a destination for hard-core gamers while providing some ancillary experiences that really cater to the curious.