The Esports Certification Institute has provoked controversy this week, bursting onto the video game scene with a controversial esports certification for those willing to pay. The exam is normally $399.95 to take, and the organization promises this certification will get candidates recognition within the industry.
The Esports Certification Institute is a Public Benefit Corporation and a for-profit organization, which also aims to have a positive impact on society. But, thus far, its certification exam has provoked controversy across social media, with most critics pointing to the price as the problem.
The exam came out this past week and, as a promotion, the Institute has cut down the price of it to $299.95. On top of that, the company can be contacted about scholarships, though there are no specific universities or partners mentioned on the Esports Certification Institute website at this time.
The exam is broken down into three parts: an hour-long period for a problem-solving essay, and two hour-long multiple-choice sections on esports knowledge and data comprehension. Other industry professionals have declared their discontent with this idea, however, and the certification remains controversial, with people taking to Twitter to show some of the exam's required questions.
It should be noted that the advisors listed on the Esports Certification Institute include recognizable figures such as Cloud 9 VP Donald Boyce, esports commentator Dan Chou, and Gen.G CEO Chris Park. However, critics point out that the price is quite high for something that is aimed at people trying to break into the industry. Those looking at entry-level positions likely don't have significant disposable income, especially for relatively untested certifications without a guarantee of recognition. And most of the responses online from other esports professionals have been in opposition to this new company.
This is all too new to be properly judged but, for now, those looking to break into esports will likely continue to have a tough hill to climb. There aren't a tremendous number of opportunities out there, and the qualifications for each position can be difficult to judge. The popularity behind the industry continues to grow, though, and as more games come out, more opportunities become available.
Then again the esports industry is in need of change, and this may mark a step in the right direction. Certifications and potential scholarships might help solid candidates get recognized by teams and sponsors. It is difficult to say if certifications such as this one will become a requirement for certain positions and only time will tell. For now, the controversy rages between those who support this idea and those who think this isn't the right path for esports.
Source: Esports Certification Institute