Guildhall & eGency Global Announce Major eSports Event

SMU Guildhall, the top ranked graduate school for video game design in the world, in collaboration with eGency Global, one of North America’s most experienced esports production, marketing and talent management firms, have announced the launch of OP Live Dallas — a premier esports event featuring high-level professional competition, a 16-team collegiate tournament, a hackathon for high-schoolers, and a showcase for the work of SMU Guildhall master’s degree candidates in interactive technology.

“We are excited to be part of this collaborative effort with eGency Global,” said Mark Nausha, Deputy Director of GameLab at SMU Guildhall. “OP Live will be interactive, immersive, and unique from typical esports events. We look forward to bringing this awesome fan experience to the Dallas area.”

OP Live Dallas will run September 22-23, 2018 on the 50,000-sq.-ft. main floor of the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas.

Through their collaboration, eGency Global and SMU Guildhall will offer esports fans a unique and more robust experience than traditional esports events, the collaborators say. Beyond the interactive and engaging experience, OP Live Dallas will also showcase the multitude of career opportunities available to video game and esports devotees. SMU Guildhall alumni work for the biggest names in the video gaming industry, as well as in gamification sectors in a multitude of other industries like tech, education, business and medical.

“The session for parents will shine a light on career and education opportunities for youth in the video gaming, cybersecurity and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, as well as the many upsides of the gaming community. The community is known for its supportive nature and lasting friendships,” says Chris Stone, CEO of eGency Global.

The two-day OP Live Dallas schedule will include non-stop competition and activities, opportunities to meet popular pro players, cosplayers and more. Highlights include:

• Competitions for 16 collegiate teams and 4 pro esports teams, with prizes to be awarded.
• Showcases featuring never-before-seen games created by SMU students and alumni.
• Mini TED-like talks with industry experts.
• Interactive and personalized experiences.
• Cosplay and game art gallery.
• High School Hackathon, where students compete to identify, defend and terminate cybersecurity threats in a fictional small business.
• Fundraising to benefit Children’s Medical Center Dallas through Extra Life, a division of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The entire event was designed with esports and gaming fans in mind. According to Stephanie Chavez, Director of Marketing at eGency Global, “In the past year, we’ve spoken with dozens of fans who regularly attend esports and gaming events. We wanted to find out what they love most about the events and where improvements could be made. This insight was invaluable when we were planning OP Live Dallas.”

As experts in the esports ecosystem, eGency Global used their insights to create an elevated esports event that is unmatched in the industry, says Stone. “At eGency Global, we employ the best of the best in every aspect of esports event planning and execution. When esports fans talk, not only do we listen, we make it our mission to respond with innovative solutions that will exceed their expectations. That was our goal with OP Live Dallas.”

Easy access to great, affordable food as well as lodging, restaurants and activities near the event venue are top priorities for esports event attendees. The Irving Convention Center was chosen specifically for this reason. In addition, several popular local food trucks will be on site both days.

eGency Global estimates attendance of approximately 7,000 for the two-day event. Numerous sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are available to organizations looking to reach fans in the burgeoning esports space.

To learn more about attending OP Live Dallas visit www.OPLiveDallas.com. For information on sponsorship opportunities (digital, event app, brand activations, signage, event/activity/workshop sponsor, broadcasting rights, food truck zone and more) or securing exhibitor space, contact Ward Eastman, eGency Global Director, Strategic Alliances, 214-957-7870.

Related link
Dallas Morning News

About eGency Global
eGency Global is one of the most experienced esports firms in North America, offering a full suite of services from event production, customer/fan engagement, sponsorship and talent marketing to data analytics, media and strategic marketing. eGency Global is the leading strategic partner in helping brands, event and media properties, and teams looking to navigate and capitalize on the rapidly expanding esports ecosystem.

About SMU Guildhall
SMU Guildhall is the #1 Graduate Program for Game Design in the world. Many of the school’s founders are industry icons, and classes are taught by industry veterans. Since 2003, the program has graduated over 700 students, who now work at more than 250 video game studios around the world. SMU Guildhall offers both a Master of Interactive Technology in Digital Game Development degree and a Professional Certificate of Interactive Technology in Digital Game Development, with specializations in art, Design, Production, and Programming.

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SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU's alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in seven degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.