Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      Vodacom’s Maziv deal gets makeover ahead of crucial hearing

      18 July 2025

      Cut electricity prices for data centres: Andile Ngcaba

      18 July 2025

      Takealot taps Mr D to deliver toys, pet food and future growth

      18 July 2025

      ‘Oh, Ani!’: Elon’s edgy bot stirs ethical storm

      18 July 2025

      Trump U-turn on Nvidia spurs talk of grand bargain with China

      18 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025
    • In-depth

      The 1940s visionary who imagined the Information Age

      14 July 2025

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS+ | Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for Galaxy A-series phones

      16 July 2025

      TCS+ | MVNX on the opportunities in South Africa’s booming MVNO market

      11 July 2025

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025
    • Opinion

      A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

      15 July 2025

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » Pro gamers fast becoming ‘sports superstars’

    Pro gamers fast becoming ‘sports superstars’

    By Agency Staff6 October 2016
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp

    gamer-640

    E-sports is set to become as big as traditional sport, says internationally recognised videogame commentator Paul “ReDeYe” Chaloner.

    Chaloner, from Brighton, England, is in South Africa ahead of Rage Johannesburg, a gaming event set to take place at Northgate from 7 to 9 October.

    Chaloner said there is growing global interest in e-sports and that big investment is beginning to flow its way. He said that youth are more interested in streaming video rather than watching traditional TV, and this has resulted in e-sport players and commentators “becoming more famous than TV stars”.

    “Some of the e-sports players can’t go out and eat at the same restaurants they had eaten at for the last 10 years. They are the next sporting superstars, no doubt about it,” Chaloner said. “Most of the demographic, 16 to 30 years, don’t watch TV. They watch YouTube, they watch e-sports. My kids will grow up with YouTube stars who will effectively become their film and TV stars,” he added.

    “Governments around the world are already investing heavily into e-sports. It’s already begun, the revolution is here,” he said.

    Chaloner, an avid gamer himself, said he became an e-sports commentator in 2002 by “mistake”.

    “I was playing in a fairly high level at videogame tournament when a friend asked me to comment on a videogame, I guess luckily for me I was quite good at it,” he said.

    “Today’s commentators have it a lot harder to go from commentating in their bedrooms to doing it at large events,” Chaloner said.

    He added, though, that being an e-sports commentator or player is becoming a lucrative career.

    The recent International Six event held in Seattle saw a cash prize of US$20,8m.

    “There is a lot of talent in South Africa, and with a company like Telkom getting behind this event, you could say that the country is ahead of some other countries in e-sports. However, more people and investors actually need to take notice of it,” he said.

    Chaloner will be master of ceremonies and ambassador for the Rage event this year, while also working with local talent and building hype around the event.

    Rage is South Africa’s biggest annual videogaming, computer and technology exhibition, drawing throngs of attendees.

    Fin24



    Paul Chaloner Rage Telkom
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleMuthambi distances herself from Manyi, then backtracks
    Next Article Zuma wants Gupta probe deferred

    Related Posts

    South Africa’s telcos battle to monetise 5G as 4G suffices for most

    15 July 2025

    Listed: All the MVNOs in South Africa – 2025 edition

    19 June 2025

    MTN CEO edges Vodacom rival in pay stakes – but just barely

    18 June 2025
    Company News

    Vertiv to acquire custom rack solutions manufacturer

    18 July 2025

    SA businesses embrace gen AI – but strategy and skills are lagging

    17 July 2025

    Ransomware in South Africa: the human factor behind the growing crisis

    16 July 2025
    Opinion

    A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

    15 July 2025

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.