Welcome to our new MetaYeda Podcast! Join me in this inaugural episode as we journey back to May 2021. I'm Dr. Elhanan Gazit, Founder at juloot. In a casual chat, I delve into eSports's cultural and economic impact with the amazing Ziv Lavee.
In this episode, we discussed the fantastic fantastic phenomenon of eSports in Brazil's favelas. We go back to May 2021 and discuss how eSports have created a new culture and economy for the residents of these marginalized communities.
We explore how factors such as the democratization of smartphones, the popularity of free-to-play games, the emergence of local role models, and the support of grassroots organizations have fueled the eSports boom in Brazil's favelas, as reported by Beatriz Miranda and Luiz Queriroga on resetofworld.org.
We also share our views on how eSports can empower and inspire favela residents by giving them a way to escape from the violence and lack of opportunity they face daily. Gabriela Ferreira, a young gamer who participates in eSports competitions, highlighted that:
Esports is a way to escape from the violence and the lack of opportunities in the favelas. It's a way to show that we can do something good and be recognized for it. - Gabriela Ferreira, a favela eSport gamer girl.
Don't miss this exciting conversation about how eSports are changing the world!
Brazil's eSports Samaba:
In Brazil's Favelas, Esports Is an Unlikely Source of Hope (Cecilia D'Anastasio/ Wired). Feat. Interviews with AfroGames participants and founders, as well as professional gamers and streamers
An esports revolution is sweeping through Brazil's favelas (Beatriz Miranda and Luiz Queiro/ Rest of World)
Brazil's favela gamers dream big (AFP,/ The Star)
About my guest:
Ziv Lavee is not just a tech enthusiast but a dedicated gamer, diving into game research in his free time. By day, he's breaking apps in the lively city of Copenhagen, DK.
The Rise of eSports: How Gaming Is Shaping Culture and Economics