Shelter-in-place orders issued to slow the spread of the coronavirus have left streets and stores empty. With the places where people would gather closed, many are looking to stay actively connected with friends and their community.
With many people seeking that connection online, esports SaaS platform Mission Control sees a place for video games to fill that void.
The startup, which allows users to create their own esports leagues, has partnered with a number of organizations and universities around the Metroplex, including Dallas Baptist University, UT Arlington, Dallas Parks & Rec. and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas, among others to help them digitally recreate the sports leagues and intramurals that have been canceled amid the pandemic.
“We want to lead with community, we want to lead with the social aspect that is kind of built around competition, instead of competition being that large anchor that’s sort of driving it,” Daniel Herz, Dallas-based CRO at Mission Control told NTX Inno. “What we’ve seen is the need for community now more than ever. People are in isolation or they can’t go out and enjoy their normal communities, they’re looking for these digital communities, digital touchpoints to interact with friends… video games are such a large hobby and a passion, it makes sense for us to really create digital communities around it.”
Mission Control is based in St. Louis, Mo., with offices in Dallas. The company was launched in 2018 by former early-stage sportstech VC firm Stadia Ventures employees. Users and organizations can create communities based on interests, alumni groups and geographic locations, among other things.
Herz said even before the outbreak of COVID-19 in the region, Mission Control saw North Texas as a natural fit for its business. He said that with a number of established esports teams, a deep history of esports in the community, as well as tech and event infrastructure make it attractive for the esports community both professionally and recreationally. He added that its geographic location allows players here to connect easily with larger coastal markets.
“Esports has kind of its second or third home in Dallas, depending on who you ask,” Herz said. “There’s clearly a mass growing population… who have a hobby and an interest in esports.”
Already with a presence and connection to the esports community in DFW, along with an interest in developing a community esports program by cities like Dallas and Frisco even before the pandemic, Herz said after the outbreak the company was easily able to help organizations locally make the digital switch. He said that social media has become so engrained into the video game community that video games have almost become a form of social media in themselves, allowing users to engage with each other beyond just the game at play.
Herz uses the example of the experience many have had after moving away from university. Physical distance becomes distance in the relationships. However, he said he personally uses the Mission Control platform to play digitally some of the sports and other video games that his friends used to share.
"Having that outlet to keep communities together to build on that I think is extremely important."
“Video games can be that outlet to bring groups together, and we want to be that resource that really helps drive that,” Herz said. “Having that outlet to keep communities together to build on that I think is extremely important. I think what makes video games unique is it’s a hobby, but this hobby has brought together the other mediums and other media.”
While the pandemic has created uncertainties in the market, esports has been gaining in popularity and is expected to grow even more as traditional sports leagues are currently canceled. Video games in general have also seen an increase in use since the COVID-19 outbreak globally, as many are forced indoors. Herz added that some users who didn’t play video games before are getting in on the action as a way to bond with kids.
Herz said that Mission Control has also seen an uptick in users since the crisis. However, he noted that some aspects of the video game community, like those in retail and events are likely to struggle more than other aspects of the industry.
“It’s bringing to light the positive effects of video games,” Herz said. “I think we’re in a world where people feel isolated, people feel separated and if we can be that community platform for these individuals in this time of need, it's really what’s driving us.”
