Joining us today to bring a different perspective of the esports industry is Jason Chung, Esports Business Professor and Attorney, Executive Director of Esports at the University of New Haven, and a lifelong gamer.
Jason’s background in law and business offers a refreshing look at the industry, thinking of esports as a fertile ground for pro gamers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from virtually any industry.
Our conversation revolves around the preconceived ideas of what a prototypical gamer is, resulting in a limitation when talking about the positive aspects of gaming. Jason shared his thoughts on how good games are at educating and how entertaining it is to learn through them. We also talk about Jason’s unique approach to teaching, providing his students with specific tools, and the importance of creating more conversations about health, nutrition, and wellness in esports.
Resources:
Visit New Haven University’s website: https://www.newhaven.edu/.
Or connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonchung/.
Full Episode Breakdown:
3:21 – Jason talks about his relationship with gaming and the changes he witnessed in gaming during the last 20 years, especially in the social aspect.
6:28 – Jason shares his thoughts on why he believes publishers aren’t talking enough about the positive aspects of gaming.
8:12 – Video games are very good at educating. Jason talks about how easier and more fun learning is by playing video games.
13:28 – Jason talks about the process of putting together a curriculum on esports at New Haven University.
18:03 – Jason describes his approach to teaching and his conviction about the value of providing students with tools so they can look at the gaming and esports industry from several perspectives.
19:55 – Jason talks about how they approach health, nutrition, and wellness at NHU.
25:36 – Jason and Gary discuss the possibility of the industry passing by vanities and silly competitions about products and focusing on the users’ wellness and health when designing hardware.
29:05 – Jason and Gary talk a bit about the ingredients in some products within the industry. Jason also reflects on the confusion around what it means for an athlete to reach peak performance using specific products.
