The Digital Isle of Man is a private/public initiative created within the Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise, developed to incentivize the growth and prosperity of tech-based companies, which represent 30% of the Island’s economy. 

The action’s primary goal is to support and sustain the economic growth and establish the Island as a center of international excellence for the digital economy. To teach us more about this particular project is Chris Kissack.

Chris is the Esports Advisor of the Digital Isle of Man. He is a lifelong gamer and esports solutions specialist, utterly passionate about the gaming industry and the esports ecosystem. 

In this episode, our conversation delves into Chris’ approach to gamers and the industry in general. He talked about how despite being a guy from the government in a suit, he is a true gamer and how that authentic approach helps him access the industry quickly. We also talk about betting and gambling in esports, the complex process of regulating that practice, the different ways governments can incentivize esports, the Metaverse, and much more. 

Visit the Digital Isle of Man website: https://www.digitalisleofman.com/

or connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskissack/?trk=public_profile_browsemap&originalSubdomain=im

Full Episode Breakdown:

2:19 – Chris talks about his role at the Digital Isle of Man as an Esports Advisor. 

5:18 – Chris explains the importance of authenticity to approach athletes from esports and any sports discipline to establish genuine engagement. 

10:42 – Chris talks about how challenging it might look going after the side of the industry that doesn’t look “shiny” or that looks “boring” from the outside, but that is extremely important.

15:19 – The best way is to see it in person. John and Chris talk about the best ways of understanding the gaming industry. 

20:12 – It is not gambling and betting. Chris explains part of his struggle education people about what esports is about.

24:25 – Chris talks about the relationship between online betting and esports and what should happen for it to finally claim a space in the industry. 

29:41 – The goal is that the business side supports the gaming side of the industry. John and Chris discuss the importance of specializing in the different paths that lead to the gaming industry. From accountability and law to design and copywriting. 

34:25 – John and Chris talk about the times when being a passionate gamer wasn’t something people would say out loud. They point out how exciting society’s changes in that area and how being a gamer is celebrated and incentivized nowadays. 

37:36 – THe mashup of digital and physical worlds across a variety of places. Chris explains what The Metaverse is. 

44:46 – Chris shares his thoughts on what he considers are the brands that could benefit more from the Metaverse. 

48:01 – Chris kindly shares some advice for other government agencies on how to approach gamers properly.