Your eSports event is thrown off schedule by external forces. How will you adapt and ensure its success?

There should always be a plan B and plan C. In the technology space, we all know the issues and challenges that can arise. In the spirit of esports, having good casters on-hand to speak to the audience and keeping them engage can give you precious minutes to fix any issue that occur. Always trust in the human interaction perspective, and be transparent in any live snags that may happen. Your audience will forgive your program if your team comes from a genuine, authentic angle:

Evaluate the Extent of the Delay: Quickly determine how much time has been lost and which aspects of the event are affected (matches, breaks, setup times, etc.). Identify Key Priorities: Assess which parts of the event are most crucial to its success, such as main matches, marquee events, or sponsorship obligations, to ensure these are given priority. Communicate with Stakeholders: Inform all involved parties—players, audience, sponsors, and partners—about the situation, providing updates on expected changes. Check Technical and Logistical Requirements: Ensure that equipment, internet connections, or venue availability are still intact or adjust as needed based on the new schedule.

Create a Backup Schedule: Develop an alternative timeline that accommodates the delay, adjusting match times, breaks, and other activities as needed to stay on track. Offer Flexible Match Formats: Consider shortening match formats, such as switching from best-of-five to best-of-three, to save time while maintaining competitiveness. Plan for Alternative Venues or Online Options: If the physical location is compromised, explore options for relocating the event or moving it partially or fully online. Prepare Contingency Content: Have extra content ready, such as player interviews, highlights, or expert analysis, to fill downtime and keep the audience engaged.

Always follow what the vibe is in chat and the live audience. Talk about the things that are important to them, as well as highlighting the plays at hand. That is the delicate balance between giving the game the respect it deserves and giving the audience true engagement.

The audience knows when things go wrong just by the attitude the casting team is projecting. Keeping a calm demeanor makes the audience want to be on your side. Stay grounded and trust that the program will go well.