In May 2021, Lyceum of the Philippines unveiled the comprehensive details of its much-anticipated BS Esports university course. Positioned as the first-ever four-year course dedicated to Esports in the Philippines, this program aims to shape specialists in the back-end operations of the growing industry, emphasizing business, marketing, and events.
Course Specializations & Program Durations
The CHED-approved program offers two specialized courses:
- BS Esports: Specializes in Game Designing, Software development, and Management.
- Duration: 4 years
- Associate in BS Esports and Game Design: Specializes in Project Planning, Brand Development, and Sales.
- Duration: 2 years
BS Esports Course Structure
The table below outlines the subjects in the BS Esports program:
| Subject | Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Esports | Foundational understanding of the esports industry, including history, key players, and evolution. |
| Esports Game Technology | Technical aspects of esports, exploring the technology behind popular games and industry platforms. |
| Esports Ecosystems | Examination of the broader esports ecosystem, including stakeholders and industry interactions. |
| Esports Broadcasting | Ins and outs of broadcasting in esports, covering live streaming, commentary, and production. |
| Introduction to Game Design and Development | Fundamentals of game design and development, understanding the creative process in game creation. |
| Esports Digital Production 1 | Basics of digital production with a focus on creating content for the esports audience. |
| Event Planning and Strategy | Mastery of planning and strategizing esports events, from small-scale to large-scale competitions. |
| Esports Market Analytics and Global Trends | Exploration of the business side of esports, analyzing market trends and the global esports landscape. |
| Social Media and Professional Ethics | Role of social media in esports marketing and exploration of ethical considerations in the industry. |
| Introduction to Media | Foundational understanding of various media platforms and their relevance in the context of esports. |
| Sports Science: Physicality of Gaming | Exploration of the physical aspects of gaming and understanding the impact on players. |
| Introduction to Advertising | Overview of advertising principles with a focus on their application in the esports industry. |
| Single Player Gaming | Exploration of the dynamics and challenges of single-player gaming experiences. |
| Multiplayer Gaming | Examination of the social and technical aspects of multiplayer gaming and its role in esports. |
| Player Management and Coaching Teams | Understanding the responsibilities and strategies involved in managing and coaching esports teams. |
| Esports Digital Production 2 | Advanced digital production techniques and strategies for creating engaging esports content. |
| Immersive Gameplay | Exploration of immersive gaming experiences and their impact on player engagement. |
| Esports Business Model | Examination of different business models within the esports industry and their success factors. |
| Contemporary Issues in Esports | Discussion of current and evolving issues shaping the esports landscape. |
| Esports Live Event Production and Experience | Practical insights into planning, organizing, and experiencing live esports events. |
| Marketing 1 – Esports and Gaming Marketing | Fundamentals of marketing specific to the esports and gaming industry. |
Career Focus
Tier One Entertainment CEO, Tryke Gutierrez, emphasized that the course’s primary goal is not to create athletes, streamers, or casters but to develop specialists working on the business side of esports. Graduates may find opportunities as team owners, sales managers, marketing executives, esports agents, business development managers, project managers, and more.
How and Where to Enroll?
- A personal PC or laptop capable of running programming applications.
- While classes can be taken via mobile phones, a laptop is needed for the application part (Students can acquire gadgets with commendable specifications through student loans from various programs).
Enrollment Process:
- Incoming students need to prepare academic records, a copy of PSA/NSO birth certificate, and the report card from the recent semester.
- Follow the Online Enrollment Procedures and Guidelines for New Students.
Tuition Fees:
- Ranging from Php 40,000-47,000 per semester, inclusive of miscellaneous fees for all programs, including BS Esports.
- LPU (Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila) offers installment plans, with a minimum down payment of Php 5,000 and the remaining balance payable monthly.
Scholarship Opportunities:
- LPU grants automatic scholarships to high school seniors ranking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the SHS graduating class.
- Editors-in-chief of the official school newspaper also qualify for these scholarships.
Internship Opportunity:
Instructors will include graduates with specializations in marketing or public relations. Tier One Entertainment executives will also contribute their expertise by teaching in the course. Furthermore, students can anticipate internships with Tier One Entertainment, with the possibility of internships abroad.
What Exactly is BS Esports?
BS Esports course is a program at Lyceum that focuses on the business and marketing aspects of the esports industry. It prepares graduates for roles such as team owners, sales managers, marketing executives, esports agents, business development managers, and project managers. BS Esports program also explores the creative side of game creation. Graduates are equipped for roles in game design, testing, quality assurance, and other aspects of the gaming industry.
@trykegutierrez Luceum’s Esports Arena Launch for BS-Esports #University #Lyceum #Esports #Gaming #Esportsarena
Boot Camp vs. Esports Course
Differences:
- Player Training vs. Backstage Focus:
- Boot Camps: Train players intensively, focusing on individual gaming skills and performance.
- BS Esports: Concentrate on the backstage, teaching business, management, and logistical aspects of esports.
- Elite Selection vs. Open for All:
- Boot Camps: Selective, choosing a few elite gamers for specialized training.
- BS Esports: Open to a broader audience, welcoming those interested in various esports roles.
- Intense Skill Development vs. Holistic Education:
- Boot Camps: Intense skill building for a specific game or genre.
- BS Esports: Offers a broad education covering events, marketing, and esports business.
Similarities:
- Link to Esports Industry:
- Both connect deeply to esports, contributing to its growth.
- Career Opportunities:
- Both can find diverse esports career paths.
Choosing Your Path: What to Consider:
Gaming Goals vs. Industry Engagement: Decide if you aim to be a pro gamer (Boot Camp) or contribute behind the scenes (BS Esports).
Addressing Doubts
In response to questions about the validity of an independent esports discipline, particularly in comparison to more traditional degrees, Gutierrez addressed skeptics in his presentation. “Dun sa iba naman na hindi naman convinced pa dito(For those who are not yet convinced), that’s the reason why we need more education. We need to educate them more, and we need to let them understand what we’re doing here in this space,” he stated.
Tryke Gutierrez as the Ambassador
As the driving force behind this groundbreaking initiative, Tryke Gutierrez, the CEO of Tier One Entertainment, serves as the ambassador for the BS Esports program.
Worries and Comments from Netizens
While the launch generated excitement, some netizens expressed concerns and raised questions about the program.
- One netizen, in Tagalog, commented: “Yung mga nag wowork sa esports industries more on IT and computer engineers diba. Edi yon na lang kunin nila at least maraming options kung hindi ka tatanggapin ng esports industries.” (Translation: Those working in the esports industry are more on IT and computer engineers, right? Why not take that instead, so you have more options if the esports industry doesn’t accept you.)
- Another netizen wondered about the students’ thesis in relation to the course.
- Additionally, a different netizen expressed skepticism, stating: “This is what I keep on saying to some people who are being hyped with this course. And looking at it, it may even be possible that they will just teach you the basics of each subject or worst, even a different variation of it that deviates from the root. What if di ka makapasok sa e-sports industry? You’ll struggle to get in another industry relating to your course because your knowledge will be mediocre at best.”
Is it worth it?
Taking the concerns of netizens into account, there seem to be important considerations for those developing the BS Esports course. The idea of turning it into a specialization within existing IT or computer engineering programs, including a certificate, is worth exploring. This could give students an advantage in the job market.
The worries expressed by netizens underline the potential challenges of pursuing a dedicated esports course, especially if the industry doesn’t readily accept graduates as expected. Choosing a more flexible program, like IT or other gaming-related courses with the added specialization in Esports will offer a wider range of opportunities. In short, it might be better for the course to be more flexible. This way, students can not only learn about esports but also gain skills that work well in the changing demands of the industry and beyond.
As a gamer myself, I want this course to be successful; however, there are valid points raised by fellow netizens that need addressing. This article aims to present potential advantages while acknowledging valid concerns. Hopefully, this helps parents in deciding to support their kids with this course. My wish is that this program becomes a way for individuals to find success, inspiring more students to dive into and thrive in the changing world of esports.
