In the five years since its launch during COVID in 2020, the Battle in the Forest Esports Gaming Tournament has grown exponentially. On February 21, the Town Parks and Recreation Department will host its 20th event, welcoming approximately 30 online participants, playing from home.
Indicative of the rapid growth of esports and online gaming as a global platform, esports is creating new career pathways for young people. Many gamers and content creators now earn income at an early age through competitive play, streaming, and digital platforms.
Presented by Brightspeed Fiber internet, events like this support economic development by attracting visitors, raising awareness of Wake Forest’s growing tech presence, and reinforcing the town as a hub for innovation and emerging industries.
The tournaments are played online and open to participants across the United States. Organizer and Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs staff member Grayson Pridgen says the tournament has a much larger reach.
"We have regular participants from across the U.S., including California, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and South Carolina," Pridgen said. "We now have a dedicated community to the games that we feature in our tournaments, and gained a tournament sponsor in Brightspeed Fiber Internet."
Pridgen said staff recognized the rapid growth of esports within the parks and recreation realm and saw an opportunity to bring the momentum to the Wake Forest community. The online platform also helped maintain engagement with patrons while facilities were temporarily closed during COVID.
The new Multimedia Room at Flaherty Park Community Center features 10 gaming computers and hosts STEM and technology-based programs and camps throughout the year, along with a popular free play Esports Night.
With the key demographic being gamers in general, those from ages 10 and up participate. Many are college age, but families participate as well.
In addition to bragging rights, winning players walk away with prizes - such as consoles, gaming controllers, video games, and other gaming accessories. The top three finishers are guaranteed a Battle in the Forest medal and an esports scholarship from Barton College Esports.
"Our esports tournaments are a great way for youth to springboard their future in gaming or in a technology career," Pridgen says. Participants can earn a scholarship for college, network with other players – including collegiate and professional competitors- and special guests will be on hand during the livestream for them to learn how esports can become a future career.
With four online tournaments currently being held each year, Pridgen says Wake Forest hopes to introduce in-person tournaments in the future to expand reach and attendance.
This event is streamed on Twitch, a free platform that viewers can watch without an account. Battle in the Forest has also partnered with Bull City Gaming, a local grassroots esports business that runs its livestream during the tournaments.
In terms of the impact this event and others have had on attracting positive attention and visitors to Wake Forest, Pridgen said he's received great feedback. "Our local citizens are always excited about the tournaments, and I’m contacted regularly by municipalities in other states interested in trying to start their esports divisions as well," he said.
"I hope that our participants always feel that they have fun playing in a safe and inviting environment. Also, I want them to always feel that they are a part of a positive gaming community," concludes Pridgen.
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership (WFBIP), welcomes the tournament and celebrates the impact it's having on youth engagement and economic development. "The popularity of esports and this tournament represents meaningful opportunities for both individual growth and community impact," Cannon said. "We hope this event continues to grow, allowing even more people to participate in the years to come."
