Utilizing video game technology to make sports history
Paradais DDB | Xtrim
Insight:
Due to the unstable economies in Latin American countries and the limited job opportunities for young people, many Ecuadorians have turned to entrepreneurship. As much as 90% of small businesses in this market come from young people.
Based on this, Xtrim, the leading internet provider for gamers in Ecuador and the club’s official sponsor, wanted to support the team’s performance improvement by utilizing video game technology and the data it generates.
To accomplish this, the brand recruited Sebastián Esparza, one of the top gamers in Ecuador, to join Emelec’s coaching staff.
Sebastián plays over 530 games in FC24, facing off against every one of Emelec’s rivals before each match. He meticulously analyzes data to co-create new strategies with Emelec’s coaches. He experiments with new lineups and substitutes, examines player statistics, and identifies the skills necessary to transfer virtual game encounters to the real field, without sacrificing the team’sperformance.
As a result, Sebastián was hired as an integral part of the team for the rest of the 2024 season, thus marking a milestone in the club’s history as the first gamer to achieve this.
Impact:
Campaign results included:
61% growth in ball possession
18% improvement in goals per game compared to last season
3x reduction of goals suffered
2.5% growth in big chances per game
17.4% growth in duels won per game
15% decrease of counterattacks