Trade Me seeks gaming chief to shape E Blacks' global success
The Chief Gaming Officer role, now open for applications, will involve playtesting competitive gaming titles and providing critical insights to inform which games the E Blacks will compete in internationally. This appointment is described as central to shaping the team's competitive focus and the wider esports landscape in New Zealand.
According to data from the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association in 2023, 79% of New Zealanders play video games, with 88% of adults aged 18-44 engaging in gaming activities. The press release also states that the global video games industry now exceeds the size of both the film and music industries combined, reflecting the substantial economic and cultural impact of gaming.
Esports achieved official sports recognition in New Zealand in 2020, and the country's competitive gaming scene has grown significantly since then. More than 160 secondary school teams are currently competing in weekly competitions, indicating a strong pipeline of interest and talent at the grassroots level.
The Chief Gaming Officer position is described as an opportunity for a gamer to progress from community or casual gaming to a prominent and influential role, responsible for influencing national team selection and strategy. The successful candidate will work closely with the E Blacks, testing and pushing the limits of competitive games under consideration for international play, and delivering feedback that will help determine the team's focus for the upcoming season. "The Chief Gaming Officer is a chance to help shape the path of competitive gaming in Aotearoa. We're looking for someone with the skills and smarts to test the best, push boundaries, and help us decide which games our E Blacks will take to the world," says Jonathan Jansen, CEO of the NZ Esports Federation.
Nicole Williams, Head of Trade Me Jobs, offered further perspective on the role's significance within the wider context of career opportunities in gaming. "We created these dream jobs to show that meaningful work can come in all shapes and sizes. For so many Kiwi, gaming is more than a pastime - it's a skillset, a passion, and in this case, a genuine career opportunity. We're excited to help turn that into something real."
This initiative is the final stage of Trade Me Jobs' "dream job" campaign, following previous partnerships with AJ Hackett and Highlands Motorsport Park. The campaign has focused on showcasing diverse and unconventional career paths across New Zealand.
The official job description calls for candidates who are passionate and highly skilled gamers, able to test and evaluate new competitive titles, and contribute honest and strategic feedback to help determine which games the E Blacks should pursue in international competitions. The position is based in Auckland and is described as an opportunity to influence not only the composition of the national team but also the broader competitive structure of New Zealand's esports scene.
In addition to influencing game selection for the E Blacks, the Chief Gaming Officer will report on the playability and spectator appeal of titles under consideration, with the objective of ensuring that the New Zealand team competes with games that are both challenging for players and engaging for audiences.
The growth of esports in New Zealand reflects international trends, with major games now drawing player bases larger than the populations of many countries. The organisational partnership between Trade Me Jobs and the New Zealand Esports Federation is aimed at translating the widespread popularity of gaming into a structured, competitive environment that can represent New Zealand on the world stage.
The Chief Gaming Officer position is open for applications now, with the selection expected to play a pivotal role in upcoming international seasons.
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