1. Let’s start with a brief introduction to Discovery One and how the concept of this esports gaming platform originated?

Back in December 2020, right before the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had never considered myself a gamer nor enjoyed playing video games. In fact, I used to poke fun at my friends who were into gaming. However, during the pandemic, my friends invited me to play online together, and I thought it could be a way to hang out and connect during those challenging times.

What started as casual gaming sessions with friends took an unexpected turn when I met Prottoy through another friend. As time passed, our other friends gradually stopped playing, leaving only Prottoy and me. Interestingly, we had never met in person; our friendship solely blossomed through online gaming. One day, our conversations drifted towards esports, and we both realized that despite a growing global esports industry, Bangladesh had yet to witness a prominent esports scene. This realization sparked an opportunity for us.

After six months of daily online gaming, we finally met in person, and that’s when we decided to take action and organize an esports tournament in Bangladesh. The response we received that summer in July was beyond our expectations. The Bangladeshi community was thrilled to participate in a competition that resonated with their passion and excitement for gaming. It became evident that we needed to make this venture a success to establish a thriving esports ecosystem in Bangladesh.

Our main objective was twofold: to create a sustainable esports ecosystem within the country while connecting Bangladesh to the global esports community. We observed neighboring countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Singapore actively competing and gaining global attention and respect. We were determined to achieve the same recognition for Bangladesh and elevate its position in the global esports landscape.

Additionally, during the challenging times of the pandemic, esports stood resilient as one of the few industries that thrived. Talented individuals engaged in competitive gaming, akin to athletes in traditional sports like cricket or football. This realization further solidified our commitment to advancing esports in Bangladesh.

That’s how our journey began, with a simple online connection turning into a mission to develop and promote esports in Bangladesh.

2. How would you describe the current state of the esports industry in Bangladesh and what responses it’s receiving from the enthusiasts?

The development of Bangladesh’s esports industry is a gradual process, and we are dedicated to building it up from its nascent state. We understand that creating a multifunctional ecosystem requires support from multiple local brands to ensure long-term sustainability.

Extensive research has revealed fascinating insights into the Bangladeshi demographic. With around 6 million PC and console gamers in a population of 160 million, and over 80 million people owning smartphones with internet access, the potential for esports growth is immense. Recognizing the rising trend in mobile gaming, we aim to embrace and encourage all participants, ensuring that everyone has access to the esports ecosystem and supports one another.

Remarkably, our company, Discovery One, has achieved organic growth without resorting to media buying or paid advertising. With over 10/12 thousand followers within just one year of activity, we have established a solid foundation, demonstrating the significant interest and potential in the esports community here.

We are committed to nurturing and developing the esports industry in Bangladesh. Through continuous learning, adapting, and engaging with the community, we aim to create an inclusive environment where every player feels empowered to pursue their passion for esports, regardless of the platform they choose to compete on.

3. Tell us about some of the most successful esports events organized by Discovery One and how did these events contribute to the growth and recognition of esports in Bangladesh?

So far, Discovery One has successfully organized two major tournaments, namely D1 Cup, which served as an introduction to the esports industry, and the most recent event, FIFA Royale. Alongside these, we have initiated an ongoing online-only league where hundreds of players compete every month, vying for a prize pool of 5-6 lakhs, distributed across two different game categories. This league serves as an experimental platform to understand how Bangladeshi players respond to LAN events, mobile gaming, and online competitions.

As we ventured into the esports space, we prioritized the well-being and engagement of the community, recognizing that the fans are the lifeblood of any sport. Over the course of one year, from D1 Cup to FIFA Royale, we have continuously learned and adapted our model to cater to the unique needs and preferences of the Bangladeshi audience.

The growth and progress we’ve experienced since our first tournament, the D1 Cup, have been truly remarkable. In the grand final, we saw an impressive turnout of approximately 3,000 spectators for the three featured games, averaging about 1,000 enthusiastic attendees per game.

Moving forward to 2023, during our FIFA event, which is considered a niche game, the number of spectators skyrocketed to an astonishing 3,500-4,000 for a single game. This significant increase indicates that the average per-game attendance has tripled, showcasing the growing interest and support for esports in Bangladesh.

Our online league, the BESL, witnessed a remarkable upswing in viewership as well. Initially, in February, we had an average of around 14/15 viewers, but within just a few months, the numbers soared to 150-200 viewers in the third month and an impressive 200-300 viewers by the fourth month. This surge in viewership aligns with the continuous increase in registration numbers, with over 3,000 participants eager to join and be part of the esports community.

The consistent uptrend we are experiencing in terms of viewership and participation clearly demonstrates the immense potential in this field. With such encouraging growth, we are edging closer to breaking barriers and taking the Bangladeshi esports scene to the next level. The future looks incredibly promising, and if we maintain this trajectory for the next 1 to 2 years, it’s as if we’ll be reaching for the stars. We are confident that our hard work and dedication will pave the way for a thriving esports industry in Bangladesh, propelling us to new heights in the global esports arena.

4. How has Discovery One actively nurtured and supported local gaming talents in Bangladesh to help them excel and compete on the global esports stage?

At Discovery One, we take immense pride in offering a significantly higher prize pool for our tournaments compared to previous events in Bangladesh. When you look up tournaments before Discovery One on Google, you’d find that the biggest prize pools were around 21 lakhs, often divided among a hundred participants, leaving players with minimal earnings after all the hard work they put into honing their skills.

Our vision was to break this pattern and provide an eyewatering prize pool that garners attention and raises eyebrows due to its substantial size. We want to show our unwavering support for gamers and acknowledge their dedication by offering life-changing rewards. When a talented 18-year-old player can win 9 lakh taka in just one month, it becomes a source of immense pride for their parents. We aim to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

Another reason for our high prize pool is to attract players from neighboring countries like India, Thailand, Pakistan, Nepal and Singapore to come and compete in Bangladesh. This approach has the potential to ignite an esports tourism industry within our country, bringing further growth and opportunities.

While the level of competition among Bangladeshi gamers is commendable, we recognize the need for improvement to compete on a global stage. We acknowledge that access to proper technology and hardware has been a significant barrier to their development. Therefore, we are committed to providing professional gamers with essential training, skill camps, and boot camps to help them elevate their abilities. Empowering them with the right hardware and support is one of our key approaches to nurture their growth and potential.

5. What unique aspects define the esports scene in Bangladesh and distinguish it from other regions? What makes the esports community in Bangladesh special?

In India and Singapore, esports has been recognized as a thriving industry, with universities offering courses and opportunities for individuals to apply and secure jobs in the field. However, in Bangladesh, the esports industry is currently driven solely by passionate volunteers who are determined to keep it alive through any means possible. This resilience is truly inspiring, as people are eager to be part of the industry despite the lack of formal recognition.

One remarkable aspect of the Bangladeshi esports scene is the abundance of raw talent. While there may not have been seasoned, trained professionals for the past 15 to 20 years, there have been exceptional individuals who achieved top 10 rankings globally. Such natural talent cannot be taught; it is innate, and witnessing this potential gives us hope for the future. It’s evident that these talented individuals simply need a platform to sharpen their skills and shine on the international stage.

Furthermore, Bangladesh boasts an impressive pool of 80 million gamers, making it one of the most substantial gaming communities in the world. This vast audience represents an incredible opportunity for growth and capitalization within the esports industry. We are determined to tap into this market, nurture its potential, and foster its exponential growth.

6. What collaborations has Discovery One formed within the esports ecosystem, domestically and internationally, and how have these partnerships contributed to the success and exposure of esports in Bangladesh?

Esports is a comparatively new industry in Bangladesh and growing rapidly. We have done two successful LAN events and got significant exposure. With our signature LAN event D1 Cup S2 in the pipeline, which will be happening on 2nd September 2023, we are glad that local unicorn bKash has joined with us as a key sponsor to grow the esports community hand in hand. Also, we haven’t gone international yet, but the interesting part here is we got Mountain Dew with us as a partner. The involvement of bKash and multinational brands like Mountain Dew is a clear indicator that we are approaching towards a bigger horizon of success for the esports community in Bangladesh.

7. How can teams become part of the Discovery One esports community and what are the process and criteria for team involvement in its events? 

Currently, we have established direct connections with the most skilled professional gamers in Bangladesh, providing them with opportunities to enhance their skills whenever they have the time. Our facility is equipped with top-notch equipment, including PCs and consoles, offering them a dedicated space to practice and improve.

Looking ahead, our plans include bringing in professional coaches from abroad for various games. We aim to conduct week-long boot camps and seminars, enabling these players to learn and adopt global strategies and perspectives. Additionally, we foster collaboration by engaging our tournament winners in various activities, such as social media polls and content creation. We recognize the importance of developing a strong social media presence as part of being a professional gamer. Engaging with followers and maintaining their interest is crucial for long-term success in the industry.

8. How does Discovery One envision the growth and evolution of esports in Bangladesh. What future plans and initiatives does it have in store?

My vision for Discovery One is ambitious and far-reaching. Our company is committed to relentlessly pursuing the long-term goal of integrating Bangladesh’s esports industry into the global channel, positioning it as a prominent hub in Asia. Leveraging our geopolitical advantages, we believe that Bangladesh has the potential to reap substantial benefits from the burgeoning esports industry.

One of our core principles is to foster an inclusive and accessible esports community. We welcome anyone who shares a passion for esports and wants to participate, without any barriers or restrictions. It’s heartening to witness the growth of our reach across the country, as evidenced by participants joining our first tournament from places like Rajshahi. We have observed an encouraging trend, with individuals from various regions of Bangladesh, not just Dhaka, expressing interest in our tournaments. This expansion demonstrates our ongoing efforts to enhance our marketing strategies on a nationwide scale.

We aim to bring the global community to Bangladesh by promoting tourism through esports tournaments. Our vision includes organizing tournaments exclusively for female participants, fostering diversity. Beyond competition, we’re dedicated to establishing esports as a recognized profession, offering opportunities and support for growth. This way, we’re putting Bangladesh on the esports map while showcasing our culture, inclusivity, and commitment to nurturing talent.