Designing a Mac Media Production Lab to Support eSports

Introduction:

Can you design an eSports lab using the Mac? This is a popular question I have been fielding since we launched our program in 2022. The integration of eSports into school curriculums is rapidly gaining momentum, providing students with unique opportunities to develop teamwork, strategic thinking, robust collaboration, and leadership skills, to name a few. Leveraging the power and versatility of the Mac Pro, Mac Studio, or an iMac schools can create a robust eSports program that engages students, creates safe environments, and unique experiences that students genuinely want to participate in. Many in the eSports world will state that it is cheaper to create an eSports lab from PC manufacturers, which is true. However, many schools already have the core Mac hardware but might just need an upgraded peripheral to support their budding eSports program. This resource is not meant to compete with building a new eSports lab from scratch.  This resource should be used to help schools that want to support an eSports program using an existing Apple Media lab so you can get the best R.O.I. 

This resource is also not a fully compressive list of factors and options.  This resource should be used to help guide the initial conversations when developing a needs matrix for an eSports lab.  Many times, teachers do not have the knowledge to be able to articulate all the needs of an eSports program from a technical perspective and how to accomplish this with a Mac. I have included a simple budget spreadsheet, for you to use, that is created in Numbers with some recommendations on peripherals to get you started in the planning process.

If you love Apple products or want to create the most flexible lab using Apple hardware and software, then there needs to be other factors beyond just price. Here are three compelling reasons to design your Mac Media Lab to support eSports with Mac instead of PC:

1. Curriculum Resources for Digital Publishing:

• Rationale: Macs are renowned for their superior capabilities in digital publishing and media creation. Programs like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and the Adobe Creative Suite run seamlessly on Mac, providing students with industry-standard tools for video editing, music production, and graphic design. This ensures that students can develop a broad range of skills that are highly valuable in today's digital economy.

2. Best in Class Software & Hardware:

• Rationale: The Apple ecosystem includes some of the best software available for educational purposes. Apple's suite of productivity tools, including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, are optimized for the hardware, offering a smooth and intuitive user experience. iMovie and Final Cut allow for the scaffolding of PBL media projects in K-12 classrooms. Garageband and Logic Pro give students access to professional-level tools to leverage at college. Finally, the Mac is perfect for AP Computer Science and is the tool of choice for most Yearbook and Photography teachers.

The Mac Pro helps future-proof your investment as graphics cards, RAM and hard drives can be upgraded inside of the Mac Pro chassis. However, the Mac Studio is a powerhouse machine that can save you some dollars on the budget while still providing a best-in-class experience. If you have an Intel-based iMac, you can be up and running with eSports with just a Windows license and some 3rd party software.

3. One-Stop Shop for Apple Distinguished Schools:

• Rationale: For schools already recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools, integrating Macs into your eSports lab ensures a cohesive and streamlined technology environment. Apple provides comprehensive support and resources tailored to educational institutions, making it easier to manage and maintain the technology infrastructure. This integrated approach simplifies training, troubleshooting, and collaboration across the school's technology landscape. And really, shouldn't we be eating our own "dog food" when designing these labs?

Why Implement eSports at your school?

1. Boosting Student Engagement:

• Statistic: 97% of teens in the U.S. play video games, making eSports a compelling way to capture their interest and engage them in school activities.
• Explanation: By integrating something they are passionate about, schools can increase overall student engagement and participation in school events.

2. Promoting Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Statistic: 70% of gamers believe that video games improve their problem-solving skills and enhance their ability to work as part of a team.
• Explanation: eSports requires strategic planning, communication, and teamwork skills that are invaluable in both academic and professional settings.

Our High School Valorant team collaborates in real time.

3. Encouraging STEM Learning:

• Statistic: eSports programs have been shown to increase interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects by 15%.
• Explanation: The technical aspects of gaming and streaming can spark students' interest in technology-related subjects and careers.

4. Providing College and Career Opportunities:

• Statistic: Over 200 colleges and universities offer eSports scholarships and competitive programs.
• Explanation: Students involved in high school eSports programs are more likely to pursue higher education and careers in the growing field of eSports and game development.

5. Improving Mental Health:

• Statistic: Studies have shown that 55% of teens who play eSports report lower levels of stress and anxiety.
• Explanation: Engaging in eSports can provide a healthy outlet for stress relief and improve overall mental well-being.

6. Fostering Inclusivity:

• Statistic: 95% of players have had positive social experiences playing online multiplayer games, fostering cooperation and a sense of belonging.
• Explanation: eSports provide an inclusive environment where students of various backgrounds and abilities can participate, breaking down barriers that often exist in traditional sports.

How to Implement Your eSports Program from a 60,000 ft View:

• Assess Your Resources:

Evaluate your current technology infrastructure and identify the needs for setting up an eSports program. Intel-based Mac Pros, with its powerful performance and expandability, is an ideal choice for running resource-intensive games and streaming software. You can still purchase refurbished or used Intel-based Mac Pros for a discount. We are currently coming up on year 5 for the last Intel-based Mac Pro so many companies will begin the refresh process for their businesses. This is advantageous for schools because you can still upgrade the hardware in the Mac Pro to support the most demanding eSports titles. However, an Intel-based iMac lab can also be a great entry point if you already own this gear in a media production lab.

• Work with IT to develop the workflow

If you are using Intel-based Macs, it will be very important to involve your IT team to:

1. Install Bootcamp
2. Install the Windows Instance
3. Install the 3rd party "Two Canoes" software called Bootrunner

*(Bootrunner allows the user to restart the Mac and pick which HD they want to boot into. Otherwise, only an admin can change the hard drive in the boot process. Do not skimp here.)

• Modify your current lab or create a dedicated space:

If you already have a Mac media lab, you might only need to purchase peripherals to support the FPS you are attempting to create. If you don't have a lab, designate a specific area in your school for eSports activities. Equip this space with hardware, like the Intel-based Mac Pro, high-end refresh monitors, gaming keyboards and mice, ergonomic furniture, and high-speed internet to ensure a smooth gaming experience.

• Form Teams and Clubs:

Encourage students to form eSports teams and clubs. Provide guidance and support through dedicated coaches and mentors who can help students develop their skills and compete in local and national tournaments. Clubs should be open to all and build awareness and skills necessary to join the competitive team. Our club happens during lunch a few days a week.

• Monitor and Evaluate:

Regularly assess the impact of your eSports program on student engagement, academic performance, and well-being. Use feedback to make continuous improvements and demonstrate the program's value to stakeholders. Explore making eSports an academic class and there are a few options for pre-built curriculum to add to your offerings.

Background Vocabulary Required:

FPS - Frames Per Second (FPS is one of the biggest factors that an eSports person cares about. 120FPS should be your minimum spec with 240 to 360 as the ultimate goal for a lab.)

Here is a video of our Mac Pro lab testing the FPS rate to ensure we are getting 360 FPS on the Mac OS side.

GPU - Graphics Processing Unit (This is a major factor in producing high FPS. Ideally, you want a computer that has a discrete graphics card and that can be upgraded in the future as GPU's improve.

Limitations of using Mac Hardware in eSports

• If you use Apple Silicon Macs, you will currently be limited to only certain titles that can play on the Mac OS. If you have Mac Pros or iMacs that are Intel-based, you have the option to bootcamp your devices to play all the games available.

Possible Solutions for Apple Silicon Macs:

1. You can supplement the titles that do not work on Apple Silica with either a cloud solution like NVidia's GeForce Now. (Please note, that GeForce Now is making huge strides lately and the performance option is very impressive.
2. You can also explore adding Parallel's virtualization software to load some of the eSports titles. Just note, that some games have certain anti-cheat software and will not even load the game in virtualization. i.e. Valorant
3. You could supplement with a console system like Xbox, PlayStation, or even a Nintendo Switch for some titles.

Example Peripheral Lists to build a lab that supports 240 FPS and 360 FPS in 2024:

For 240 FPS Setup:

1. Monitors: Acer Predator XB272 27" 240Hz: $499.99 each
2. Gaming Keyboards: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum: $199.99 each
3. Gaming Mice: Logitech G Pro Wireless: $129.99 each

For 360 FPS Setup:

1. Monitors: ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN 24.5" 360Hz: $699.99 each
2. Gaming Keyboards: Razer Huntsman Elite: $199.99 each
3. Gaming Mice: SteelSeries Rival 600: $79.99 each

The Future?

I'm not sure what the future of eSports on the Mac will look like in 3-5 years. The improvements in cloud computing have me very intrigued and I could see it becoming mainstream to help keep a level playing field among all players. However, with data privacy at the forefront for students, I'm not sure we can get there as a mainstream option. There is also the uncertainty of what the relationship with Apple and Epic will look like down the road. It's too bad that students, who love Macs, cannot play their favorite titles because of a disagreement about money and who and how it should be collected. We can always hope in the future one of them will "cross the lines" so that students can choose their favorite platform to play competitively. But in the meantime, we have solutions to game on the Mac! Let's GO!

References:

1. CEOWORLD magazine - The Inclusive Power of Esports:

• The Inclusive Power of Esports

1. EDUCAUSE - E Is for Everybody: Diversity and Inclusion in Esports:

• E Is for Everybody: Diversity and Inclusion in Esports

1. British Esports Federation - Diversity in esports: The initiatives making esports more inclusive:

• Diversity in esports: The initiatives making esports more inclusive

1. Esports Mention - Esports Colleges in Florida:

• Esports Colleges in Florida

1. NCAA Division 1 Colleges in Florida - NCSA Sports:

• NCAA Division 1 Colleges in Florida

Resources

There are many "how to" guides on setting up your eSports programs. Here are a few I liked and used when designing our clubs and teams:

6 Steps to Start an Esports Club at School

High School eSports League Detailed Program Guide

Start a School Esports Club

Attachments

Mac Media Production Lab Budget Planner.nmbtemplate

Download  (169.8 KB)