The country’s longest-running gaming, technology and geek culture expo, rAge, has partnered with Vodacom, making the telecoms company their title partner, and signalling one of the largest investments into the South African gaming and esports scene by any brand.
Gaming and esports is now a billion-dollar industry globally, with an estimated 2.2 billion gamers taking part in social gaming, mobile gaming, and free-to-play and pay-to-play multiplayer gaming. Esports is also hugely popular all around the world, with approximately 380 million esport viewer fans.
Locally, gaming and esports are also gaining traction, although the local industry is nowhere near as big as the industry in the US and China. Despite this, Chief Officer Vodacom Consumer Business, Jorge Mendes believes that the company’s investment will foster the growth of the scene locally.
“We have been following the South African gaming and esports scene intently over the past few years. Gaming and esports is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world and South Africa is home to many gamers with an intense passion for it. From casual gamers who enjoy indulging in their passion from the comfort of their own home or on their mobile handset allowing them to participate in their passion anywhere, anytime, to those who compete in esports at a competitive level – and everyone in between – Vodacom’s vision is to become the Gamers Network of Choice,” said Mendes.
“This partnership with rAge is just the beginning, as it allows us to participate in a large entertainment market. As part of our long-term commitment to the gaming and esports scene, Vodacom World, our Flagship Digital Mall will also play host to a variety of gaming events and experiences providing gamers with an opportunity to experience our network speeds and capability first-hand.”
The rAge gaming expo has been held for the past 17 years, and has grown into a three-day event, attracting gaming and tech enthusiasts from all over the country.
“This partnership with Vodacom is a significant surge forward for the gaming industry in South Africa, and particularly for rAge. It is another leap forward for the future of gaming in South Africa and I look forward to where this will eventually take us all,” said rAge’s Senior Project Manager, Michael James.
Vodacom rAge will take place at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg from 27 to 29 September, and tickets can be bought here.