Georgia has created a program to combine eSports competitions with professional workforce development to help college students get jobs in the digital entertainment world after graduation.

The new initiative, called the Georgia eSports League, was founded by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Film Academy, Skillshot Media, and Ghost Gaming, and it is open to every two-year and four-year college or university in Georgia.

The league is the first of its kind to offer gaming competitions alongside a curriculum focused on career development in video games and eSports.

“The Georgia eSports League will help attract college students across our state to this growing industry, so we can continue to fill the jobs posted by the many tech and digital media companies relocating to Georgia,” said Asante Bradford, a project manager at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The start of this league conveniently coincides with a spike in the activity of eSports in Georgia. In May, the eSports Commissioner’s Cup went down at Gateway Arena in College Park. In October, the 2022 League of Legends Semifinal came to Atlanta. And in November, the three-day, immersive gaming lifestyle festival DreamHack returns to Atlanta for the first time post-pandemic.

Additionally, many big tech companies are putting down roots in Georgia. Microsoft is building a 90-acre facility in Grove Park. Meta, previously known as Facebook, is starting a $42 billion expansion of their data center, and Google is expanding their midtown location as well.

Similar to Georgia’s film industry which just saw a record breaking year, the local technology and digital entertainment industries are gearing up for glory.

“Building off our success in film, Georgia’s next workforce initiative is gaming, eSports, and digital entertainment,” said Jeff Stepakoff, the executive director of the Georgia Film Academy.