Players jockey for position in booming esports sector

Forget the old-fashioned arcade. Gaming and esports is now a big business, and a combination of established companies and upstarts are using some proven business tactics to gain a foothold.

FOR MET ARENA. Mark Wemple. Marcus Howard, right, CEO of MetArena, and Derek Watford, a co-founder of High Point Gamer, co-founded the nonprofit Tampa Association of Gaming.
FOR MET ARENA. Mark Wemple. Marcus Howard, right, CEO of MetArena, and Derek Watford, a co-founder of High Point Gamer, co-founded the nonprofit Tampa Association of Gaming.
  • Technology
  • Share

You might unwind on evenings and weekends by playing a little League of Legends, or your teenager might be obsessed with Fortnite or Call of Duty. According to 2020 statistics from the Entertainment Software Association, more than 214 million Americans play video games for at least one hour a week, and 75% of U.S. households have at least one gamer in residence.

 

Continue reading your article
with a Business Observer subscription.
What's included:
  • ✓ Unlimited digital access to BusinessObserverFL.com
  • ✓ E-Newspaper app, digital replica of print edition
  • ✓ Mailed print newspaper every Friday (optional)
  • ✓ Newsletter of daily business news
Subscribe

Already subscribed? Sign in.

Latest News

  • December 13, 2025
Report: Small business optimism up, but worries percolate
  • December 12, 2025
CEO of Bradenton EDC announces retirement
  • December 12, 2025
Manatee County to break ground on $40M veterans complex
  • December 12, 2025
Moez Limayem confirmed as USF’s new president

Sponsored Content