Jurassic Fibre sponsors the esports festival at Exeter College for a second year

Exeter College hosted the Exeter esports festival on Friday, 2nd June and was a testament to the growing popularity of competitive gaming in the UK. Jurassic Fibre was once again one of the key sponsors for the event and entered three of our staff into the esports arena to play Rocket League against other companies.

Exeter esports festival goes big

In 2022, at the first esports festival, 16 businesses sent teams to go head-to-head in the tournament. This year 30 businesses across the South West competed in a winner takes all tournament and were crowned the 2023 esports champions. We sent our talented players Steven Green, George Powlesland, and Lewis Friday to compete against other teams in the hopes of lifting the coveted trophy.

This year Exeter College has worked closely with Tech South West, Bridgwater and Taunton College, City College Plymouth, Cornwall College and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to deliver the biggest corporate esports festival for the South West.

What game is being played?

The teams once again played Rocket League, one of the most popular games on Xbox, PlayStation and Steam. The game starts with each player in their car of choice and the aim is to drive and knock the giant football into the goal, with or without using your rocket engine.

How many teams are involved?

This year 32 teams battled it out at Exeter College’s state-of-the-art Digital and Data Centre in the Rocket League tournament with one goal in mind, to bring home the trophy and the glory!

How many games will each team play?

The teams were split into two groups, with knockout stages being played during the morning. The two teams from both groups with the most points moved onto the final stage where they played each other in the best of three games with the winners moving to the grand final.

The rise of esports in the UK

Esports has witnessed exponential growth in the UK, captivating the attention of millions of players and spectators of all ages. A uSwitch report highlighted the growth in esports with an estimated 720 million people that will play games online by 2027.

The tournaments fill arenas and attract huge online audiences who watch games being played for hours and cheer on their favourite teams.  This surge in popularity can be attributed to the dynamic nature of the games, the rise of professional players, and the sense of community fostered among gaming enthusiasts.

Esports and game development have become viable career options, providing opportunities for talented individuals to showcase their skills, compete on a global stage, and reap substantial rewards.

Supporting youth in the South West through esports

The Exeter esports festival is a shining example of how esports is making its mark in the South West, empowering the region’s youth. These events foster a sense of camaraderie, teamwork, and healthy competition among participants.

By engaging young gamers in organised tournaments, esports cultivates important skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. It also offers a platform for personal growth, self-expression, and building valuable networks within the gaming community.

Jurassic Fibre continues to connect communities for gaming

We recognise the immense potential of esports and its positive impact on the South West’s youth. By sponsoring events like the Exeter esports festival for a second year, we demonstrate our commitment to supporting the growth of esports, gaming, and the local community.

Not only did our team play in the tournament, but our Head of Network Service Operation, James Mundy was part of an exclusive discussion panel at the event, sharing his insights on gaming, its benefits to the tech landscape and the future benefits to students across the South West.

The Exeter esports festival was a great success and showcased the vibrancy and growth of esports in the South West and while our team did well, Timewade, a highly respected IT company lifted the trophy. 

The role of fibre broadband for gamers

In the digital era, high speed internet connectivity is essential for gamers looking to excel in esports and fibre broadband plays a pivotal role in supporting current and future gamers. Reliable and lightning-fast broadband minimises latency and ensures a seamless gaming experience. It enables gamers to compete at their best, react swiftly, and make split-second decisions without hesitation.

Empowering future gamers with Jurassic Fibre

Our unwavering support for esports and gaming extends beyond sponsorship, by providing ultrafast fibre broadband to homes across the South West, we empower gamers with the infrastructure needed to hone their skills and compete at the highest level.

With faster upload and download speeds, reduced lag, and consistent connectivity, gamers can fully immerse themselves in the world of esports, making their dreams of professional gaming a tangible reality.