In the heart of Copenhagen, Astralis, a world-renowned Danish eSports organization, opened Nexus in 2021, a gaming center aimed at making gaming and eSports more socially accepted in Denmark.
Image caption: Image of Nexus, Astralis’ gaming hub, from the outside.
Author: Victor Dyreborg
Images: Victor Dyreborg
“We want to show Danes and visitors that gaming is normal,” says Victor Skjerk, a service worker at Nexus.
He explains that gaming, unlike traditional sports, isn’t always viewed as legitimate. “It’s not recognized, I think, because it’s not as physical as other sports,” he adds.
Nexus is designed to welcome everyone, from people in tracksuits to those in formal wear. “People from A to Z,” Skjerk says, highlighting how the center attempts to break down stereotypes and creates an inclusive environment.
By offering a public space for gaming, Nexus aims to normalize eSports and contribute to the global movement to make gaming a mainstream activity.
According to Statista, the global eSports market is expected to nearly double its revenue by 2025 compared to 2020, showing the rapid growth and acceptance of eSports worldwide. This trend suggests that venues like Astralis’ Nexus could be just the beginning, likely leading to the development of more gaming hubs as eSports continues to expand.
Find more statistics at Statista
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