#playvs

PlayVS is halfway to recruiting every state into its global esports community – TechCrunch

Millions of high school kids play online multiplayer games, but they seldom have crosstown rivals in Fortnite or Valorant. PlayVS wants to make that happen with its platform for school-sponsored esports, and it’s growing like crazy, doubling its staff in the last year and putting thousands of schools on its platform.

PlayVS connects online games with official school administration and…

September 18, 2019

Esports platform partners with RIIL to offer students school-sanctioned esports, providing access to premier game titles and college scholarship opportunities

     LOS ANGELES, CA –  PlayVS, the company bringing varsity esports to high schools across the country, today announced the start of the Fall 2019 season. Last year 15 schools participated in Rhode Island, with Bishop Hendricken High School (15-3) winning the League of Legends championship and North Providence High School (27-0) taking home the Rocket League Championship. The current waitlist to build an interscholastic esports program with PlayVS is over 13,000 schools long -- 68% of all high schools -- and spans across all 50 US states. This puts esports on par with traditional programs like football, which is available in 14,247 schools.

     “As a student, esports has given me another reason to look forward to going to school each day, and a way for me to meet new people I never would have known previously and form bonds that never would have been possible,” said Student Captain, Samuel Soares. “The esports organization at my school feels more like a family than a club or a team, as we all share such a deep passion for video games and investment in sharing our experience and knowledge with those around us. This is all thanks to PlayVS, my school’s administration, my countless new friends and teammates and my coach and advisor, Mr. Schachter.”

     “After a full year of coaching high school esports, I have seen a tremendous positive change in the attitudes of my student-athletes,” said Samuel Schachter, Esports Coach, Barrington High School. “A handful of kids who struggled showing up to school in the past were now excited to go. After a League of Legends match, a player approached me shaking. When I asked what was wrong, the student explained that our esports program is the first time they felt like truly belonged somewhere in high school.”

     "By all accounts, the inaugural RIIL esports year was successful and well received among our member schools," said RIIL Executive Director Tom Mezzanotte. "As expected, this program appealed to a new segment of our school populations and gave them an opportunity to represent their schools and communities in an activity that they are passionate about. We’re excited to see the continued growth of these programs in our schools and look forward to the 2019-20 esports seasons.”

     “It is clear the impact esports has already had on these student-athletes, from bringing up their GPA to getting involved in school activities,” said Dr. Clint Kennedy, Director of Education & Acquisition at PlayVS. “We are excited to continue to partner with teachers and schools to empower students to pursue their dreams.” 

     During the first year of PlayVS’ ‘Seasons,’ esports teams had an average of 15 players per program, with one in three players participating in their first-ever school activity. More than 70% of the students who participated said they found a community to connect with, and more than 40% plan on using their esports experience to apply for colleges and universities. 

      The cost to participate -- $64 per player -- is paid for by a parent/guardian or, in most cases, the school. This cost provides students with a full suite of unlocked, in-game content (valued at over $700) and access to the full games themselves (each valued at $20-$60). Most schools already have the required computer equipment in existing labs or libraries, making esports a simple, low-cost/high-benefit program to get off the ground. Schools can still register for the fall season for free by signing up at PlayVS.com. The deadline for schools to register for this upcoming Fall season is October 11th.

     For more information on PlayVS, please visit https://www.playvs.com/

PlayVS raises $30.5 million for high school esports platform

PlayVS has raised $30.5 million for its platform for high school esports. The round comes just five months after PlayVS raised $15 million.

Elysian Park Ventures, the private investment arm of the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group, led the round. Other existing investors who also participated are New Enterprise Associates, Science Inc., Crosscut Ventures, Coatue Management, and WndrCo. New…