Gaming industry growth has no limits
The fatal shooting tragedy last week in Jacksonville, Florida during an esports event last week shined a spotlight on the gaming industry.
If you’re like me who is raising a 13-year-old, you’re already quite aware of the gaming industry. But those who think it’s a phase for their child are missing on what is going on in the industry.
Video games have become big business—some worth potentially millions of dollars. Playing these games competitively, known as esports, is on the verge of becoming a force in the business and entertainment world.
Twitch, the leading game streaming platform, was purchased by Amazon for $970 million. Twenty-seven million people watched the League of Legends Championship in 2017 — that’s more than Game 7 of the World Series (23.5 million) and the final game of the NBA Finals (18 million), according to media reports.
In Ohio, esports have become a draw for colleges. Reporter Max Filby reported last week that a survey released in June ranked some of Ohio’s colleges among some of the best for esports.
Miami University was ranked No. 1 in the survey release by Value Gamers. Miami received the top ranking because in 2016 it became the first “toptier university” to start a varsity esports team. Miami’s team won the 2017 National Association of Collegiate Esports season for “Overwatch” a multiplayer first-person shooter video game.
Ashland University in Northeast Ohio is ranked No. 6 on Value Gamers’ survey and the University of Akron is also seen as an up-and-coming esports school.
It is not hard to envision a world where the next star college competitors are the NCAA Call of Duty Championship winners or how the hot new Fortnite player landed at Ohio State.
The gaming industry will continue to see big business growth, but like most of you, I’ll continue to tell my son he’s sitting too close to the screen and “Is that (video games) what you’re going to do the rest of your life?”
Jobs available
The parent company of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works needs to hire nearly 2,000 seasonal customer care specialists for its Kettering call center.
While the L Brands jobs are seasonal, the company told us employees are eligible for up to a 40 percent discount at Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Bath & Body Works, Henri Bendel and La Senza.
Those interested in a job can apply in person at 5959 Bigger Road in Kettering or online at Bestplacetowork.lb.com through October.
Columbus-based L Brands operates a total 3,077 stores, and its merchandise is sold at an additional 750 franchised locations.
Mexican-type restaurants growing
Reporter Mark Fisher wrote last week about how Centerville is emerging as the epicenter of a surge of Mexican-restaurant growth.
The city south of Dayton is now home to at least six full-service Mexican restaurants, with one more on the way. And a handful of Mexican restaurants are operating just outside Centerville’s city limits, Fisher reported.
Rancheros Cocina Mexicana in the Cross Pointe Centre opened its doors Monday, and El Toro Mexican Bar and Grill confirmed plans to open a new restaurant in the Centerville Square Shopping Center at 894 S. Main St. in south Centerville.
In addition, Fisher reported workers are constructing a large new La Pinata Mexican Restaurant at 9505 Dayton-Lebanon Pike (Ohio 48) and Sheehan Road.