The return of in-person classes after two years of distance learning is expected to pave the way for the next big thing in the Philippine gaming industry: campus esports.

“We’re seeing tremendous growth - in signups, in revenue, in sponsors, and even in expansion opportunities,” said AcadArena Chief Growth Officer and Chief Finance Officer Justin Banusing.

“More and more people are seeing the potential of campus esports, and with the return of physical classes, there’s nowhere to go but up,” Banusing added.

Considered the largest and still-growing campus esports organization supporting over 700 schools nationwide, AcadArena has been making rounds across its affiliate schools since the start of the school year (SY) 2022-2023.

The “Academy Homecoming” is intended to better connect with students and go beyond its usual audience as part of its back-to-school program.

Banusing and his hardworking team were able to visit some of their most prominent affiliate schools such as Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, University of Makati, and National University.

After making rounds across Metro Manila, AcadArena has plans to visit affiliate schools across the rest of Luzon.

A platform for dreamers

Banusing has been in the esports and gaming scene since he was fourteen years old.

Having started as a student journalist writing about games and online tournaments, he witnessed how esports and gaming have grown - not just in numbers but also in public perception.

“Campus gaming honestly wasn’t a thing back in 2014,” Banusing said, noting that there were not many organizations that encouraged gaming, “let alone supported student gamers.”

This is the reason why Banusing, Ariane Lim, and Kevin Hoang, started AcadArena which has become a platform for dreamers to get their start in the industry through their campus communities.

“We’re creating what we wish we had when we started out, the support that wasn’t there for us, and many others,” he said.

Having recently graduated from the University of Washington, Banusing is relieved to have more time to dedicate to AcadArena.

AcadArena, Banusing said, is “full steam” ahead on its international expansion plans to bring “Not Just Play” globally.

Launched in 2019, the Iloilo-based startup has been helping student gamers become the best version of themselves without having to let go of their gaming consoles.

AcadArena has been distributing P3 million worth of scholarships to students --- a testament to the organization’s “Not Just Play” mission.

This feat earned AcadArena’s founders - Banusing, Lim, and Hoang - a spot in the acclaimed Forbes 30 under 30.

Just a few months after that, AcadArena hosted the biggest gaming convention of the year - CONQuest 2022.

Last August, AcadArena also launched its newest branch in Brazil --- its first global expansion in South America.

While AcadArena has a lot more in store for the rest of the year, Banusing shared that the organization is “adamant about continuing the legacy” it has set for itself, which is to spearhead campus esports and gaming in the Philippines.

“There’s still a long way to go, but I’m glad to say that AcadArena’s biggest impact so far is normalizing exploring a career in games among students and parents,” Banusing said.