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Researchers Develop an Intelligent Observer for Esports

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Human game observers are a vital part of the Esports industry. They use extensive domain knowledge to decide what to show to the spectators. However, they may miss important events, necessitating the need for automatic observers. Researchers from South Korea have recently proposed a framework that utilises an object detection method, Mask R-CNN, and human observational data to find the ‘Region of Common Interest’ in StarCraft—a real-time strategy game.

Esports, already a billion-dollar industry, is growing, partly because of human game observers. They control the camera movement and show spectators the most engaging portions of the game screen. However, these observers might miss significant events occurring concurrently across multiple screens. They are also difficult to afford in small tournaments. Consequently, the demand for automatic observers has grown. Artificial observing methods can either be rule-based or learning-based. Both of them predefine events and their importance, necessitating extensive domain knowledge. Moreover, they cannot capture undefined events or discern changes in the significance of the events.

Recently, researchers from South Korea, led by Dr. Kyung-Jong Kim, Associate Professor in Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, have proposed an approach to overcome these problems. “We have created an automatic observer using object detection algorithm, Mask R-CNN, to learn human spectating data,” explains Dr. Kim. Their findings were made available online on 10 October 2022 and published in Volume 213 Part B of Expert Systems with Applications journal.

The novelty lies in defining the object as the two-dimensional spatial area viewed by the spectator. In contrast, conventional object detection treats a single unit, for instance, a worker or a building, as the object. In this study, the researchers first collected StarCraft in-game human observation data from 25 participants. Next, the viewports—areas viewed by the spectator—were identified and labeled as “one.” The rest of the screen was filled with “zeroes.” While the in-game features are used as input data, the human observations constituted the target information.

The researchers then fed the data into the convolution neural network (CNN), which learnt the patterns of the viewports to find the “region of common interest” (ROCI)—the most exciting area for the spectators to watch. They then compared the ROCI Mask R-CNN approach with other existing methods quantitatively and qualitatively. The former evaluation showed that CNN’s predicted viewports were similar to the collected human observational data. Additionally, the ROCI-based method outperformed others in the long run during the generalization test, which involved different matchup races, starting locations, and playing maps. The proposed observer was able to capture the scenes of interest to humans. In contrast, it could not be done by behavior cloning—an imitation learning technique.

Dr. Kim points out the future applications of their work. “The framework can be applied to other games representing some of the overall game state, not only StarCraft. As services such as multi-screen transmission continue to grow in Esports, the proposed automatic observer will play a role in these deliverables. It will also be actively used in additional content developed in the future.”

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License

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Arena Racing Company (ARC) has been granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license from the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Authority (GCGRA), an independent entity of the UAE Federal Government with exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities.

The license, operational with immediate effect, affords ARC the opportunity to provide its products and services to licensed operators in the region. Notably, the Racing1 Markets service, an all-in-one horse and greyhound racing solution delivered in conjunction with Racing1 alliance media rights partners at 1/ST CONTENT, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and Tabcorp, alongside technical partner Pythia Sports. ARC has been added to the list of licensed vendors as per the GCGRA website.

Jack Whitaker, Commercial Manager at ARC, said: “Obtaining this license is a great achievement for ARC and its Racing1 partners. The emerging regulated UAE market is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to showcasing our innovative products and services in the region.”

The post Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK

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Swedish gaming giant’s industry signals commitment to the UK regulated market by launching it leading portfolio of games with Ivy Casino 

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced that its industry leading portfolio of games is now live with Ivy Casino in the UK. 

Ivy Casino’s players in the United Kingdom can now access global smash hits from Play’n GO, including Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, and Rise of Olympus 100 among many others. 

Ivy Casino is a UK-facing online casino brand that launched in 2024 with a focus on delivering a premium, player-centric experience tailored specifically for the UK market. 

The brand operates alongside two sister sites, Rose Casino and O’Reels, which also serve UK audiences and share the same commitment to high-quality entertainment, strong user experience and robust responsible gaming standards. 

Play’n GO has been one of the leading game suppliers in the UK for many years and is steadfast in its commitment to regulated markets globally. 

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer of Play’n GO, said:

“We are delighted to launch with Ivy Casino in the UK who, like us, are focused on all the key elements of operating within a regulated market framework. I’m sure this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.” 

Mark Good, representing Ivy Casino, said:

“This partnership with Play’n GO forms part of Ivy Casino’s ongoing strategy to enhance its content offering for UK players by collaborating with leading studios known for creative, engaging gameplay.” 

Play’n GO is a proud sponsor of the Moneygram Haas Formula 1 team, and recently launched a fashion brand, Play’n GO Shop, to sit alongside its existing Play’n GO Music brand to give fans more ways to connect with Play’n GO. 

In October, Play’n GO set a world record by launching everyone’s favourite slot character, Garga, into space reaching a height of over 35,500m as part of the launch campaign for Reactoonz 100 which instantly became one of the biggest game launches of the year for the company. 

The post Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals

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Esportes da Sorte, one of Brazil’s leading online betting platforms, will be the official sponsor of New Year’s Eve celebrations in four Brazilian capitals: Salvador, Recife, Natal and Maceió. The initiative reinforces the brand’s growing presence in the national cultural calendar and its strategy to connect with large-scale public celebrations beyond the digital environment.

New Year’s Eve is one of Brazil’s most significant annual moments, marked by intense domestic travel, international tourism and mass public participation. By supporting celebrations in four key destinations, Esportes da Sorte aligns its brand with tradition, culture and shared experiences that resonate deeply with local communities.

“Sponsoring New Year’s Eve celebrations in four capitals reflects our commitment to being present in moments that bring people together,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, owner of the Esportes da Sorte brand. “Supporting these cities means valuing their cultural identity, strengthening local ecosystems and celebrating the people who keep these traditions alive year after year.”

Across all four capitals, the brand will activate its presence through immersive experiences, public-facing activations and the distribution of branded giveaways — a hallmark of Esportes da Sorte’s engagement strategy at major events. The activations are designed to enhance the festive atmosphere while reinforcing the brand’s connection with culture, entertainment and responsible enjoyment.

The New Year’s Eve sponsorships build on Esportes da Sorte’s broader cultural engagement strategy, which includes long-standing support for large-scale events such as Carnatal, in Rio Grande do Norte — a key fixture in the state’s tourism and cultural calendar. Together, these initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in cultural sponsorships nationwide.

Esportes da Sorte’s participation also mirrors a wider trend within Brazil’s regulated betting market, as operators increasingly diversify their sponsorship portfolios beyond football. Music, festivals and cultural celebrations have become strategic platforms for brands seeking broader visibility, deeper community ties and more sustainable engagement with the public.

The post Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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