Esports: Gathering and Growing Communities with Austin Smith

TL;DR

Mission Control is a B2B SaaS platform that provides software for organizations to offer esports rec leagues, targeting the larger population of casual gamers who play at the recreational level.

Transcript

welcome to fyi the four-year innovation podcast this show offers an intellectual discussion on technologically enabled disruption because investing in innovation starts with understanding it to learn more visit arc dash invest dot com arc invest is a registered investment advisor focused on investing in disruptive innovation this podcast is for inf... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖐️ Mission Control is filling a gap in the esports market by focusing on the larger population of casual gamers who play at the recreational level.
• 🧡 The platform offers a user-friendly experience for both administrators and players, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals.
• 💗 Mission Control is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and is part of a supportive startup community that is actively building and growing the local economy.
• 🏛️ The COVID-19 pandemic has both positively and negatively impacted Mission Control, providing an opportunity for digital community-building while also presenting economic challenges.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Mission Control work?

Mission Control is a two-sided platform, with administrators using the web-based admin platform to set up and manage leagues, while players use the mobile app to find and join leagues, schedule matches, and connect with teammates and opponents.

Q: Can Mission Control accommodate different games and scoring metrics?

Yes, Mission Control has the flexibility to add new games and scoring types on the back end. Self-reporting and validation are currently used for scoring, but the platform has the capability to integrate with games in the future.

Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Mission Control?

The pandemic has presented both advantages and disadvantages for Mission Control. On one hand, the platform has been able to provide value by offering a digital community-building tool during a time when in-person gatherings are restricted. On the other hand, some schools and organizations have had to close their rec departments or face economic challenges.

Q: What is the market opportunity for Mission Control?

The market opportunity for Mission Control is significant, with a large population of casual gamers who play multiplayer games. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 103 million individuals who play multiplayer games, presenting a vast market for community-focused esports rec leagues.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mission Control offers a B2B SaaS platform for organizations to host esports rec leagues, expanding the traditional rec league concept to include competitive video game leagues.

• The platform is designed to be user-friendly for both administrators and players, allowing organizers to easily set up leagues and registrations, while players can connect and schedule matches through the mobile app.

• Mission Control's focus is on building and growing communities, recognizing the vast market of casual gamers who play multiplayer games.