It’s no secret that the esports and gaming sector has skyrocketed in the last few years. According to Statista, the global esports market is valued at just over $1.08bn (~£807m) in 2021.
Nevertheless, the esports industry is getting to the point where it has to face and adapt to the new realities of the market, especially in a world slowly emerging from a pandemic.
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The Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF), hosted by Cyberport Hong Kong on December 10th-12th 2021, is precisely trying to tackle this issue. Moreover, the convention looks to further push the current limits of the esports industry.
The event is returning for another year, expecting over 1,500 attendees, with one goal in mind: to decode how technologies, business models and the value chain of digital entertainment will disrupt the status quo and advance beyond existing standards.
DELF aims to do that by addressing various areas within digital entertainment, specifically distribution, experience, space, creativity, content, capitalisation, speed and many more.
For the first time, DELF will present the Infinity Games, a series of events that will challenge participants to take part in games and tournaments inspired by the Sea, Land and Air elements. The conference is also scheduled to include tournaments, show matches, innovator showcase, game experiences, workshops and performances, all presented through a‘ hybrid experience’.
The event will be available to follow virtually at any time, which allows attendees from all over the world to get a taste of the panels and tournaments, live from the arena in Hong Kong to people’s screens.
In total, DELF will boast a roster of 70+ speakers, 10+ tournaments, and 40+ tech and experience showcases.
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Some notable speakers attending the conference this year include Kathy Wen, Director of People & Operations at the Hong Kong & Singapore Studio of Riot Games, Carlos Alimurung, CEO of ONE Esports and Becky Yeung, Regional Head of Brand Partnerships at Warner Music Asia.
Other brands represented include IPG Media Lab, NetEase Esports, disguise, Meta, CMGE Technology Group and Animoca Brands. Click here to find a detailed list of speakers.
Apart from the latest esports trends, DELF will also present various esports and gaming events including 2021 VALORANT Champions, Rainbow Six Siege – HaxKase League S5, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened Yesports Asia Cup Final, as well as the 2021 FAI Hong Kong Open Drone Racing Championship.
As one of the official tournament partners, Cyberport will broadcast the VALORANT event through its YouTube esports channel and virtual platform for DELF Virtual Pass holders to watch during 10th-12th December.
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The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) MetaGame Conference will return as a spotlight event of DELF on the second day (December 11th), alongside the APRU Esports Fellowship Graduation Competition.
The APRU MetaGame Conference will highlight how Hong Kong has emerged as an esports hub in the region. It will also examine the ways that an international network of esports hubs can further its scope within universities and create career opportunities for students in the esports industry.
This year’s conference will deep dive into trending topics including esports, gaming, and skills of the future as well as gamification of social well-being.
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Registration for DELF2021 has already begun, with Cyberport offering FREE Virtual Passes to watch livestreams and on-demand industry talks and tournaments. Overseas attendees can also win online gifts from participating in the event virtually.
For more about DELF, click here and to register for Virtual or Exhibitor Passes click here.
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