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Ignat Bobrovich
Esports | Education | Engagement | Cybersecurity
Ignat Bobrovich is a prominent figure in the esports industry, currently serving as the Chairman at Esports.NGO, an organization focused on promoting esports for social good. He has a notable background in the esports ecosystem, having contributed to the establishment of a national governing body for esports in Estonia, which underscores his commitment to the development of the industry in the region.1
In addition to his role at Esports.NGO, Bobrovich is also the CEO of Game Show, a company that has been influential in the esports sector. He has been involved in various capacities within the industry, including management consulting and strategic partnerships. His experience spans over several years, during which he has participated in numerous esports competitions and initiatives aimed at mainstreaming esports.14
Bobrovich is recognized for his insights into the esports landscape, often speaking at industry events and contributing to discussions about the future of gaming and its impact on society.23
Highlights
Resources x Network x Passion x Expertise x Secrete Sauces. Why missing any of this element can lead to a disaster in the long run.
In 2000, when I started my esports career, the inaugural event has seen over 100 participants coming from all over the city. PC at home was a true luxury. Internet was extremely rare and slow. And the most spreader source of information were newspapers (some tech savvy group used FIDO net, but it was very small group of geeks). So, we’ve been using newspapers to learn about the events, results etc.
So, 24 years ago in a relatively small depressed city with poor economy and without digital infrastructure, the organisers were able to get together over 100 participants to join the sim racing event.
2024, the FIA, one of the richest federations in the world is announcing the event. With a dream-to-come true prize - participation at the motorsports games. The choose of games is right. The chose of race tracks is arguable, but it’s not that important. The budgets seem to be there - I’ve seen the event’s ad posts few times.
The onboarding infrastructure is kind a ok. For a local competition. Organised by local enthusiasts without any sponsors. Simple leaderboard. Absence of of profile of the driver? Any traceability of the competition progress? No, why. Given good prize and big names behind it’s a no brainer. Right?!
Well, given that the event is already on and results of first stage is fully accounted, makes sense to check the numbers. Seems like the event has around than 500 participants. Which is kind 2 participants per country. Our largest event hosted by Passport.GP had more than 10,000 drivers. With almost no prize pool, just pure passion.
The grassroots esports has huge potential. But projects with similar ratios put this potential under the pressure. FIA is not alone on getting to this trap. If we want to build sustainable future to bridge the past as the future, it’s crucial to start changing the approach and work with the niche experts and communities.
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile AK Esports SRO Motorsport Group I know that there are enthusiasts that would like to help to make the event success. Myself included. There’s a time to make it really successful and show the power of grassroots esports. Let’s make esports great.
Esports x Cyberbullying: Pilot users wanted!
While big part of the esports communities are discussing news generated by the organisations from Lausanne, Riyadh and Bellevue, we are working on much less flashy, but still important problem of cybersecurity and cyberbullying in esports.
For past months we've been working on this topic together with Riigi Infosüsteemi Amet // Estonian Information System Authority (NCSC-EE), Tehnopol as members of the cybersecurity program. Shortly after we've joined Startup Wise Guys Cybergrowth program to help us to ensure the growth of our idea. And just recently we've received additional support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) within the Anthropic X AWS AI Accelerator to allow us to work more with the AI models, not being feared of getting huge invoice for the capacity usage. I believe that AI is the future, but most of us have no idea how this future will look like. And we need to be prepared for this future - this includes taking care of the cyberthreats and mental health.
We are extremely grateful for all this trust and support. And we are working hard to push the product forward. We have built few advancements, that we would like to test with the industry experts.
I would like to ask 30 minutes of the attention of ones, that care not only about nice announcements, but also things of the sustainability and the future of the industry. And, what is even more important - the gamers of any kind. Because, the issues of threats, bullying and other elements of the esports ecosystem that have negative impact on the gamers are there. And we should not hide the elephant in the room.
In exchange, I will be happy to provide early access to the system and build meaningful cooperation model in the long-run.
Please ping me asap in DM if you may be interested in helping us to make the esports a better place.
Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.
Esportsly yours,
Ignat
