With the British Esports Association slowly building up more influence in UK Esports, its next move has emerged. The Association has joined UK Interactive Entertainment trade body, more commonly known as Ukie, with the two are set to work closely to push esports in the UK.
The association, founded in June 2016 by Chester King, was set-up as a non-profit to develop esports in the UK, starting from the ground up. The two have been working together over the past year, working with educational establishments to help them understand the esports ecosystem and career paths, and also educating the media around what esports is and how it works. Today they mark a further step forward in their collaboration with British Esports formally joining the trade body.
Announcement: We've joined UK games industry trade body Ukie https://t.co/XNo3m8wJgD pic.twitter.com/6xKSBsk32j
— British Esports Association (@British_Esports) October 10, 2017
Ukie has been involved in esports for a long time having members ranging from tournament operators like ESL, developers like Riot Games and veteran esports organisation Team Dignitas. In November last year, they released an esports white paper about how the UK could be a global leader in esports.
Andy Payne, Chair of British Esports, commented: “I am really glad that we have joined Ukie. At British Esports we are focused on supporting and promoting the grassroots esports scene, working with players and fans. Our projects around schools and libraries will support those communities by promoting teamwork, building confidence and inspiring the digital workforce of the future. Our aim is to help to make the UK a winning environment for the esports industry.”
Ukie also released a statement stating: “Ukie is delighted to welcome the British esports Association as our latest member, joining other major stakeholders active in esports in the UK today. Ukie looks forward to working closely with the British Esports Association to grow the sector from the grassroots, collaborating on building the profile of the sector in the UK and inspiring the next generation into esports.”
The press release from British Esports is available here.
Esports Insider says: Great to see Ukie and British Esports Association working more closely together. It’s important that all stakeholders in UK esports work together to help it grow and this is most definitely a step in the right direction.