PA ESC wants state to cash in on the esports market

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N3rd Street Gamers is part of the region’s growing roster of companies positioning themselves to benefit from the growing popularity of egaming and esports. (Photo couresy of WikiCommons)

The Pennsylvania Esports Coalition wants to bring the state’s gaming scene to the next level. The nonprofit industry organization, which launched earlier this month, wants to attract all stakeholders in the esports industry — from casual gamers and video game shops to lawmakers and massive game developers — to its vision of growing the esports industry in Pennsylvania and beyond.

PA ESC is led by a seven person board of local esports and policy experts, including John Fazio, co-owner of N3rd Street Gamers; former professional “Gears of War” player Rob Ambrose; and James O’Connor, owner of esports team the Pittsburgh Knights.

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The coalition’s primary goals are to educate stakeholders on the benefits of esports, establish a standard across esports competitions and to connect with stakeholders to ensure the industry grows and thrives.

PA ESC Executive Director Nick Kratz said the coalition is looking to get ahead of the curve with lawmakers, preventing “unforeseeable barriers” often created by legislation. Boston City Council members, for example, slapped short-term rental companies like Airbnb with an ordinance that prevents homeowners from renting out homes they don’t live in, according to WBUR Boston.

“In any growth industry, there’s always bumps in the road, there’s always gonna be hiccups,” Kratz said.

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