SGL: GameSphere is the official online gaming channel of the Super Gaming League (SGL), where several tournaments, ladders and brackets are organized for an array of games such as, Fifa and DOTA. GameSphere was originally called ESLBrasil when it was created in 2006. The site quickly grew to 3000 registered users within months and by the end of 2008 had over 7000 members, which is when SGL purchased the rights to the web site. Since then we have grown over 50 percent to 10,360 in just over a quarter. Our mission for GameSphere is to create the best online portal for Brazilian gamers where they can compete, improve their skills and make money.A parameter we used to gauge the level of quality of Brazilian gamers is their performance at international competitions. As acting referee during the 2006 WCG Grand Finals in Monza , I noticed that the Brazilian gamers were just as skillful, talented and passionate about their sport. What they didn’t have however was the constant exposure to high caliber gaming competitions throughout the year as their European and Asian counterparts did. They became nervous, they were unaware of certain tricks, they needed the fine tuning of their skills and emotions that every professional athlete needs to succeed at the highest levels of their sport. SGL wants to remedy this all the while creating opportunities for our top most gamers to make a living and attain the status of professional gamers.
Super Gaming League
SGL: The National DOTA League (LND) is the largest competition on our site. It’s last edition had over 217 teams (more than 1000 gamers) and we handed out R$1.800 (approximately $900) to the top 3 teams, which was the largest sum in money ever given to any online tournament in Brazil . We have a new competition that will begin in June called PRO Series – DOTA. Registration began last Friday (22nd) and we will give out over R$3.500 (approximately $1700) to the top 8 teams in cash and prizes. Our ladders run on a regular basis for both DOTA and Fifa and are mostly used by our gamers to practice for our tournaments. We are working launch a PRO Series – Fifa tournament and create more opportunities for our Fifa players to get their chance at some competition, fun, cash and spotlight.03. Talk about this event, how is the teams' behaviour (amateur of "professional"?), the game system and prizes?
SGL: Most part of the community always saw LND as a "definitive tournament on Brazilian scene". It was always the one which comprehended more teams and had a greater look. I think the respect from players to the tournament just increased on its last edition. We refined our interactivity installing the league at GameSphere, then we brought a good prize, made a pretty good coverage and tried to maintain a good and severe administration. What I can say is that the result was simply spectacular, probably the biggest and the best competition that Brazil already had until now.04. How was the teams' reaction when they knew that, even not being professional on its majority, they were fighting for R$1000 (about $500 dollars) at the end of the championship, like it was on LND #6?
SGL: The reaction was positive. By knowing they were competing for that prize, everyone was really motivated and gave good feedbacks about the league. Suddenly the air became more serious and everyone wanted to conquer the prize. We went from 100 to 200 sign-ups in no time!05. What are the ambitions from GameSphere to the future?
SGL: Our main objectives for GameSphere in 2009 are to solidify the services we currently offer, expand our user base, learn more about our gamers, increase advertising opportunities, attract new advertisers looking to communicate and interact with our gamers, to organize more effective and efficient means of communication with our admins and team members, and to invest in a more robust web server.We planned to grow to 10.000 by the end of 2009 but that number was achieved within a few months so we are now pushing for 15.000 registered users by the end of the year.
A GameSphere 2.0 is in the works and should launch by the second quarter of 2010. With it we will be able to expand to more games across different platforms with greater ease and agility. Because of this we plan to grow to 30.000 by the end of 2011, by adding games such as Counter Strike, Team Fortress 2, StarCraft 2 and other titles with large followings.
We have begun mapping out in greater detail the demographic profiles of our users to help us plan for the development of new products and services to offer to our gamers and to help us market our services in a more effective way.
We plan to continue offering cash prizes for our online tournaments and expand the opportunities for our gamers to improve their skills and gain exposure and reap the benefits of participating in our competitions, events and research. We are confident that through the SGL Brazil will have stronger performances at tournaments like the WCG in years to come as well.
06. As example of FERAS, winner of "National DotA League #6" (LND) and the runner-up, ReVoltados E-Sports, do you think that other teams will be prepared the same way to a championship like this? And for international events?
SGL: FERAS already proved, many times, being the best Brazilian team and why not say "the team to be beaten". But of course, there are other talented teams around that will always render good matches and will make any tournament respectable. About the international level: a bunch of teams has, certainly, capacity to compete on the international scene but I'd say that FERAS, specially, is the one which has potential to face many respected teams around the world.07. How you see DotA in Brazil, actually?
SGL: The problem of Brazilian DotA is, even having high-skilled players, always suffered with a big instability of its teams and lack of support, making our teams hardly able to maintain themselves for a long time and our teamplay, normally, is weaker than the international. But what I can say is that this problem has improved a lot. The GameSphere Ladder and LND brought up many promising teams, besides the organizations and sponsors well-interested. What's remaining now is to keep up this growing.08.Would you like to say something else?
SGL: We often receive emails from other web sites, forums, leagues and communities throughout Brazil, interested in working with us in some shape or form or in search of financial support for their own tournaments and events. The goal of the SGL is to create opportunities where Brazilian gamers can frequently compete at a high level and that they may live from their earnings from our competitions and promotions in the near future, regardless of what community they belong to or where they live. We want to serve all Brazilians and not just our own community. From a business perspective, it would be in the best interest of the gaming community in Brazil to converge to one portal, be it ours or any other community, than to create several small communities. Companies looking to communicate, interact and learn more about young consumers are looking for opportunities where they can maximize their time and investment, especially in the current state of the global company. GameSphere - Main Portal
