SOOP to Expand Esports Ecosystem via New Formats and International Collaborations
Platform SOOP is set to scale its esports ecosystem by introducing new content formats and strengthening ties with international streamers and platforms. Following the ASL Season 22 finals, company executives announced a strategy aimed at expanding existing leagues and discovering new competitive titles.
During an event at the DN Colosseum, SOOP executives Lim Il-bin and Wi Young-kwang detailed the company's content production and business strategy. A key focus is the integration of streaming culture with official broadcasts. Lim Il-bin explained that when acquiring broadcasting rights, the company prioritizes content that drives user influx and allows streamers to produce supplementary pre- and post-match content.
The ASL tournament remains a cornerstone of their strategy, despite the challenges of a changing competitive landscape for StarCraft. While acknowledging that the game's peak era has passed, officials noted a resurgence in viewership. To ensure the league's sustainability, SOOP plans to:
- expand the scale of final stages;
- develop new content formats based on StarCraft, with announcements expected by year-end;
- facilitate a pipeline for new talent by allowing amateurs and streamers to compete on the same stage as professionals.
Regarding global expansion, SOOP is exploring collaborations with overseas platforms, including potential player exchange matches. However, Wi Young-kwang emphasized that the immediate priority is audience retention and growth within the existing community, aiming to bring back veteran fans and engage a new generation of viewers.
Looking ahead, SOOP intends to expand its portfolio beyond current offerings like LCK, OWCS, and Demacia Cup. The company plans to collaborate with game developers to identify and integrate new competitive titles into its ecosystem.
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