3xScreen Media uses NewTek TriCaster to create Gfinity eSports coverage

3xScreen deployed five TriCasters in creating a 28-input, six programme output production, which was streamed to Twitch.tv and viewed by more than 2.5 million gaming enthusiasts from around the world.

Gfinity London 2013, which took place in London in July, set a benchmark for future eSports events. The best teams from around the world battled for the Call of Duty and League of Legends Championships.

“This was a groundbreaking eSports event. We required online live coverage to match, including 3D visual effects, virtual sets, graphics and transitions,” says Paul Kent, Gfinity’s chief operating officer. “The brief was to produce broadcast production value programming that was innovative and affordable – a difficult challenge, and exactly what was delivered by 3xScreen.”

Philip Nelson, chief relationship officer at NewTek, adds: “NewTek is excited to be the technology behind this highly acclaimed gaming webcast. The portability, ease of use and power found in TriCaster has made it the production system of choice for online events around the world.”

3xScreen Media met Gfinity’s live video production and streaming requirements by using five production pods comprising one TriCaster 8000, two TriCaster 855s and two TriCaster 850s. Together the TriCasters created six programme outputs from 28-input sources including fixed and manned cameras, live commentary, game feeds and the master studio. The six programme outputs, enhanced with animated graphics and VTs, fed four Twitch.tv live stream channels and event screens.

3xScreen managing director Scott Robinson says: “The success of the Gfinity production, measured by viewer figures and feedback, could not have been achieved without TriCaster, which played a fundamental role in our live production and streaming workflow. NewTek TriCaster helped us create programming of a quality that previously required ten times the budget.”