After the resounding success of College Rivals Season 1, anticipation for the sequel has reached a fever pitch. With significant footfall and widespread enthusiasm, the inaugural season set a high bar. To delve into how College Rivals plans to surpass its own success, we sat down with Ashwin Haryani, Country Head of Ampverse DMI, India, to get an insider’s look at what’s in store for Season 2.
Expanding the Footprint with College Rivals Season 2
Kicking off on July 15, College Rivals Season 2 promises an expanded and more immersive experience. “This year, we’re going deeper into India, visiting 60 colleges across 22 cities with our signature College Rivals Gaming Truck,” Haryani shared. The season also features a new team in partnership with Orangutan, called Rivals Ape X. With one of Season 1’s finalists, Sahil Nagpal, making his professional debut, there’s a strong lure for aspiring esports talents. Furthermore, the event is expected to improve its lifestyle segments, including music, streetwear, and many others, to ensure that GenZ has an entertaining experience.
Learning and Adapting from Season 1
Reflecting on the learnings from Season 1, Haryani emphasized a few strategic changes. “Season 1 was a big success, but it had many learnings. We spent the last three months analyzing and strategizing for College Rivals Season 2,” he explained. Among the key adjustments are a focus on the top three games across all platforms, an optimized truck route to cover more colleges, and a mix of online and offline esports qualifiers. These changes are aimed at streamlining the event and maximizing participation and engagement.
Exciting New Features and Initiatives with College Rivals Season 2
The audience and the participants can expect a lot of new features and activities in the second season. Some of the benefits include exclusive merchandise and collectibles, an opportunity to be among the student ambassadors, more elaborate on-ground promotions, and games. “We are also hosting social media contests throughout the season, offering fun engagement and rewards,” Haryani noted. These additions ensure a dynamic and engaging experience for everyone involved, reinforcing the season’s theme of ‘Rivalry Reloaded.’
Beyond Esports: Embracing Music, Pop Culture, and Comedy in College Rivals Season 2
College Rivals is more than just an esports event. From the outset, it was envisioned as a multifaceted entertainment platform for GenZ, incorporating music, pop culture, and streetwear. “In College Rivals Season 2, we’re amplifying these efforts by bringing in more lifestyle creators and launching our own streetwear merchandise,” Haryani revealed. The goal is to create a holistic entertainment experience that resonates with a broader audience.
The Show-Stopping Gaming Truck
One of the standout features of College Rivals is its Gaming Truck—a unique, mobile gaming arena. “The Gaming Truck was once just a crazy idea on paper, and we are thrilled to have executed it successfully,” Haryani said. Fitted with high-end gaming PCs and PlayStations, real-time CCTV monitoring, and live GPS systems, the truck offers a state-of-the-art gaming experience on wheels, making it a centerpiece of the college activations.
Selecting and Empowering College Ambassadors
The selection of college ambassadors plays a crucial role in the campaign. Students are shortlisted based on their application responses, showcasing both interests and skill sets. “Selected applicants are scored on their interview performance and chosen for a year-long program, with their performance judged based on specific milestones,” Haryani explained. These ambassadors are pivotal in driving engagement and participation across campuses.
Streamlining Game Titles for Optimal Participation
For College Rivals Season 2, the decision to feature BGMI, Valorant, and EA FC 24 as the primary gaming titles was data-driven. “These three games attracted the most participation last year,” Haryani stated. Focusing on fewer games allows for better management and optimized prize distribution, ensuring a competitive and rewarding experience for the participants.
Engaging More Colleges in College Rivals Season 2
Colleges interested in hosting on-ground competitions can get involved by reaching out via email or through College Ambassadors. “We try to accommodate as many colleges as possible, though visits with the Gaming Truck are limited by distance and time,” Haryani noted. This inclusive approach aims to broaden the event’s reach and impact.
Expectations for College Rivals Season 2
Looking ahead, Haryani shared ambitious expectations for viewer engagement and participation. “We garnered over 100 million views across our livestreams and social media for Season 1, with over 92,000 students registering for the Esports Talent Hunt. This season, we aim to grow these numbers exponentially, expecting 200,000+ participants and hoping to garner 125 million views,” he revealed.
A Vision for the Future
As for the long-term vision, Haryani sees College Rivals evolving into a major entertainment and engagement platform for GenZ. “College Rivals has the potential to be the most impressive College IP in today’s time. We see it evolving into other genres of entertainment and becoming an aspirational platform for every college student,” he concluded. With a clear strategy and an exciting lineup, College Rivals Season 2 is set to take the esports and entertainment experience to unprecedented heights.
