Hundreds of packed Telus Spark took part in the first Calgary eSports League on Tuesday night, and sometimes you feel as if you were watching the Calgary Flame at Saddledome.
When the players beat up, the fans cheered excitedly, as Johnny gaudelau scored on the ice.
Computers and projectors are packed with a new generation of athletes.
Video game player.
Many of the players participating in Tuesday's events have not yet reached the level of elite players who spend hours a week training not only in individual games, but also trying to boost their mental power.
However, this does not affect the work they do.
"I have been playing (Tekken)
Played on the arcade for a long time, . . . . . . I 've been playing seriously for about 10 years, "said Matthew Fernandes, who competed in Friday's boxing 7 martial arts fight on Tuesday.
"It's exciting, it's electric," he said of the game . " He added that he spent "at least" an hour a day honing his skills in the game.
"There's nothing better than this.
Like hockey, basketball, or football, it's an audience sport and, in fact, it's more accessible because not everyone can be healthy.
"Something like Tekken, easy to get in.
In addition to Fernandes and Iron Fist 7, players also participated in the watch, League of Legends, super Crush Brothers.
And the Rockets league.
When you look at the faces in the crowd, you don't think of a typical group of players.
Men, women and children from the age of 10 to 60 watched with concentration as the game progressed.
The inclusion of this event not only expands the people who watch at Telus Spark, because the alliance is called Twitch-
A live video platform similar to YouTube.
Founder Wes Nelson says the event is brewing for years, not the first time Calgary has organized an esports competition.
Nielsen said there were some gamers who had previously focused on developing their own teams.
"You keep hearing about what's going on in Toronto, what's going on in Vancouver, and you put in a huge amount of money --
"There are famous professional players now and they have a lot of money to do things," he said . ".
"Calgary has all the work on this, . . . . . . They are in their small group.
You have a big fight.
You have a club legend in (
University of Calgary).
Mature markets like Vancouver and Toronto have been able to sell tens of thousands of seats in the arena.
The reason is that these markets are already ahead of the curve, Nielsen said.
He hopes that the Calgary market will develop into a similar market.
"My idea is that either we can do this sort of grassroots thing, develop from scratch, make sure Calgary runs its own thing, or we can sit and wait and someone will bring $50
"Millions of dollars from other places and then take it over," he said . ".
"They have reached the critical mass of the explosion.
It will happen here.
We have to invest in e-sports. that's our future.
In addition to Canada, esports regularly compete with major sports events such as the National Football League Super Bowl --
In fact, there are more people watching 2018 legendary World Champions League than watching the football championship.
Nielsen said eSports are expected to see more than 2022 of the NFL's ratings.
Tuesday's event received a $2,000 bonus throughout the game, and he hopes to host more parties in the form of monthly and potential weekly events in the future.
"I hope this is the beginning of the growth of the Calgary esports index and what esports can do," Nelson said . ".
"I think we got our message, it's not that we're trying . . . . . . Take everyone's money and I think everyone wants to understand (that)
We are working hard in the esports community in Calgary and this is an opportunity.
"For more information about the Calgary esports alliance, you can visit their website on www.
Scarborough, Calgarycom.
Mail: zlaing @ postmedia