GANYMEDE Inc., the operator of the esports team ZETA DIVISION, and VANTAN Inc. have produced over 200,000 graduates across 14 vocational schools to date.
These two companies from different industries have teamed up to open ZETA DIVISION GAMING ACADEMY POWERED BY VANTAN in April 2027.
We spoke with Daisuke Nishihara (@TWOF0UR), CEO of GANYMEDE Inc., which is at the forefront of the Japanese esports industry, and crow (@no960fps), a creator belonging to ZETA DIVISION who serves as a special advisor to the academy, about their thoughts on this educational project.
Both Leaders at the Esports Forefront Discuss the Significance of ZETA DIVISION Conducting Educational Business
(The following interview was translated from Japanese.)
― Please tell us how the academy project originated.
Nishihara: Through a certain connection, I was exchanging opinions with Vantan regarding the development of the esports market and the demand for human resources, and we agreed that a school is definitely necessary.
From there, we discussed the necessity and other factors with each other again, and that led to it taking this form.
― What is the necessity of a school from the perspective of GANYMEDE Inc.?
Nishihara: I believe the esports industry wants to grow.
However, my current view is that there are few entry points for people to get involved.
― Is the biggest challenge a lack of human resources?
Nishihara: That's right.
Not just us at ZETA DIVISION, but other teams as well, and people at production companies.
Even in areas directly linked to content, like the video editors I spoke about at the presentation, there is a shortage.
Also, there are almost no people on the business side who understand the industry's ecosystem, including the income and expenditure structure, so I thought, "Well then, let's create a place to learn."
― As a solution to such challenges, please tell us the strengths and significance of ZETA DIVISION GAMING ACADEMY POWERED BY VANTAN.
Nishihara: First of all, the fact that crow is a special advisor is a major strength.
He is a former player, has experience as a coach, and is a content creator.
He has been in the esports scene for a long time, from the period when he couldn't make a living until today.
Having crow at the front is something I am very grateful for.
In addition, experiences such as a curriculum reflecting the voices of ZETA DIVISION players and streamers, and workshops covering practical behind-the-scenes production work, are values that only ZETA DIVISION, one of the centers of esports, can provide.
― Currently, is there only one special advisor?
Nishihara: That is correct.
― Then, what kind of role does crow play as a special advisor?
crow: I believe there is meaning in visiting the school buildings in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya from time to time to pass on my experiences.
I have experienced various things, both good and bad, such as things I thought in the past and things that are actually better to do... (laughs)
Nishihara: I thought it would be better for the resolution of the message to increase if it's conveyed by crow rather than an old man like me (laughs).
He is close in age to the students, and as a former pro with proven results, the weight and persuasiveness will be different even when conveying the same words.
I believe those living voices have a power that only crow can produce.
― crow, is there anything you wish you had learned more of during your student days?
crow: I wonder what it would be...
Nishihara: Maybe English. I tried my best not to bring it up because it's too cliché (laughs).
Whether it's a pro gamer or a coach, Japanese players basically belong to or transfer to teams within Japan, right?
But don't you think the range of choices and possibilities would expand all at once if you could speak English?
In that sense, English is important for various occupations, not just pro gamers.
At GANYMEDE, staff members who are proficient in English conversation are sometimes assigned to departments that focus on interactions with overseas parties.
crow: That's definitely true (laughs).
Also, elements of humanity and social skills are necessary regardless of the occupation, and pro gamers are no exception.
― Many occupations are supporting esports now, aren't they?
crow: When I was a student and thought, I like games, but what kind of occupations are related to games? only programming-related things came to mind, and I actually attended a vocational school.
However, now various occupations that support the entirety of esports, not just pro gamers, have been born, and I take pride in having seen them from a very close position.
Since I was a pro myself, I can teach from that perspective, and I have also experienced being a coach.
There are really no coaches in general, especially VALORANT coaches...
Nishihara: In the past, this industry was much smaller than it is now, and doing an event wasn't esports production, but was at a level like "let's try handling esports" within event production.
crow: There were definitely no managers.
Now, there are even photographers dedicated to the team.
Nishihara: In the past, I would frequently go to the places where everyone gathered to manage schedules or check items before practice... (laughs)
crow: How nostalgic!
Saiga NAK― Over the past five years, GANYMEDE Inc. has become the side that creates occupations.
Nishihara: As the progress of the esports industry continues, new challenges are born every day.
I feel that the skills and human resource needs required to solve those challenges are expanding and increasing just as the culture progresses.
I feel humbled to be called the side that creates occupations, but I think the results of facing immediate challenges lead to the various occupations related to modern esports.
― And the prerequisite skill required there is an understanding of games and esports.
Nishihara: That's exactly right.
Saiga NAK― Finally, please give a comment to the students considering enrollment.
Nishihara: If you look at social media or streamers' broadcasts and think, What does an esports company do? I think stories about managers and production staff will come up.
Even so, the current situation is that it is not yet a completely open world.
With the opening of ZETA DIVISION GAMING ACADEMY POWERED BY VANTAN, we have a strong desire to expand the entry points of the esports industry and create a system that makes it easier to jump into the industry.
There will be fun things and painful things, but if you are interested, I hope you will consider enrolling.
crow: I think there are many people worried about their career paths like my former self.
Of course, there is the path of being a pro gamer, but we have entered an era where many occupations can be proposed to those who love games and want to be involved in games in any form.
ZETA DIVISION GAMING ACADEMY POWERED BY VANTAN is a place where you can acquire the skills necessary to realize such dreams.
Let's liven up the esports industry, which is at its peak of excitement right now, together!
ZETA DIVISION Aims to Realize a Virtuous Cycle
Saiga NAKThe catchphrase A school where you can aim to become a pro gamer, which has been seen more frequently for several years, initially attracted attention as a novel initiative.
However, currently, the esports industry itself is expanding rapidly, and Japan has turned around from an era when it was called an underdeveloped country, steadily continuing to grow its market size and economic impact.
Amidst such changes, it appears that the younger generation has already begun to understand that involvement in esports is not limited to being a pro gamer.
At such a timing, ZETA DIVISION decided to enter the field where esports and education intersect.
If management that utilizes the knowledge and networks gained from being at the forefront of the industry is realized, it will undoubtedly lead to the production of diverse human resources.
Will they be able to create a virtuous cycle where education and industry mutually enhance each other's value?
We want to continue to pay attention to ZETA DIVISION's future efforts as a touchstone for predicting the future of Japanese esports.
