This is a special short series dissecting the Business of Gaming and Esports in South Africa. Hosted by Sam “Tech Girl” Wright, an esports broadcaster and desk host who was raised in South Africa but now works primarily in Europe on Counter-Strike events, the series targets agencies and business people looking to enter the gaming and esports space in South Africa. It is a unique and developing market littered with potholes - which Sam attempts to showcase and also help your business avoid. In this episode, Nick Holden, one of the founders of ACGL.gg, discusses the evolution of the ACGL esports platform and the growth of the esports community in South Africa. The ACGL platform allows gamers from South Africa and other African countries to set up profiles and play with one another in competitive events. The platform caters to both professional and casual gamers, providing opportunities for all skill levels. ACGL runs around 20 to 25 tournaments a week, with regular cash prize pools. The South African esports community in South Africa faces challenges because of distance, communication and cultural differences but ACGL aims to make esports more accessible and engaging for all players. Nick discusses why building a strong long esports community and focusing on regular play and engagement will lead to growth. He also chats about the high school and university esports space in the country. The episode highlights how important it is to understand the culture of esports and engage with the community in a meaningful way - with a strong focus on brands which support and celebrate the interests and experiences of competitive gamers.