Plans in place for 4,000 seat Esports area on Dundee waterfront
Designers have entered an exclusivity deal with Dundee City Council and will partner with Abertay University among other local partners.
A purpose built ESports area is being planned for Dundee's waterfront.
The computer game venue would seat up to 4,000 people - designers Norther Lights Area Europe have entered into a 18-month exclusivity agreement with Dundee City Council while they plan the development.
The venue would also provide facilities for students at Abertay University studying ESports related degrees.
ESports is a rapidly growing market, although little facilities are available in Scotland.
Chris Turner, NLAE CEO said: "We are delighted to be able to announce Dundee as the first of several multi-million-pound projects that the NLAE team is working on. We have been impressed with the forward-looking approach of Dundee City Council and their ambition to have a world class public space at the heart of Dundee. NLAE is working with global technology partners, including Amazon Web Services, to provide unparalleled facilities and experiences. NLAE is working with Vital Energi to develop and deliver a low carbon energy solution for all NLAE projects and other local customers in Dundee City Centre. ”
Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council's city development committee said: "Agreeing an exclusivity arrangement with NLAE is the best way forward to allow what is an exciting and potentially winning development the time and space needed to undertake feasibility studies and advance outline proposals. As a thriving and recognised cradle for games development I can think of no better place for such a complex to be."
Professor Gregor White, Dean of Abertay University’s School of Design and Informatics said: “We are delighted to be involved in bringing forward this exciting partnership-led development for Dundee, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future development of Scotland’s digital economy. Abertay has an international reputation for excellence in the video games sector and is ideally placed to lead the educational delivery aspects of this project, with a view to opening up a new graduate talent pipeline to the esports industry, which is worth more than $1billion globally each year.”
Simon Hewitt, Principal of Dundee & Angus College said: “This is an amazing opportunity for the city and the wider region to build on the fantastic educational partnerships and experiences we already provide within the creative sector. Dundee & Angus College are proud to be a partner in this exciting and innovative project that will create more opportunities to develop new and existing skills to support the growth of Scotland’s digital economy.”