BASILISK, an esports organisation founded in 2020, has established partnerships with the California Institute of Technology’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM) and The Planetary Society to broaden science advocacy. These collaborations will connect IQIM and The Planetary Society’s combined following of over 7 million science enthusiasts with BASILISK’s audience of over 3.5 million gamers. BASILISK integrates data science and performance psychology into its operations, employing a data-driven approach initially developed for financial markets, and currently features prominent players including StarCraft 2 player Joona Serral Sotala and chess grandmaster Vincent Keymer. The Planetary Society, founded by Carl Sagan and Bill Nye, has over 2 million members, while IQIM is a National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Center focusing on quantum science.
Esports as a Science Outreach Platform
BASILISK’s partnerships with the California Institute of Technology’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM) and The Planetary Society represent a strategy to reach an audience of over 600 million esports fans globally, supplementing the combined following of over 7 million science enthusiasts already associated with the partner institutions. This collaborative approach intends to connect scientific organisations with a demographic often inaccessible through conventional outreach methods, addressing challenges faced by the field in broader public engagement. The organisation currently comprises an audience of over 3.5 million gamers, providing a substantial platform for disseminating scientific information.
The integration of data science and performance psychology into BASILISK’s operational structure extends beyond player development, underpinning its overall approach to connecting with audiences. This data-driven methodology, initially developed for financial markets, is now applied to the realm of esports, with the stated aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists. The organisation’s roster includes prominent players in strategic games, such as Joona Serral Sotala in StarCraft 2 and Vincent Keymer in chess, demonstrating a focus on intellectual competition.
IQIM’s involvement highlights the potential for disseminating knowledge in areas such as quantum information science, atomic physics, and condensed matter physics to a new audience. As a National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Center at Caltech, IQIM not only conducts research but also actively engages in outreach programs to educate students and the public about quantum mechanics. Dr. Spiros Michalakis, IQIM’s Outreach Manager, has noted the intrinsic link between play and scientific exploration, suggesting that engaging experiences can cultivate curiosity and connect individuals with scientific concepts.
The Planetary Society, founded by Carl Sagan and Bill Nye, brings its established global network of over 2 million members and its focus on space advocacy to the partnership. The organisation’s mission encompasses exploring worlds, searching for extraterrestrial life, and protecting Earth from asteroid impacts, offering a complementary area of scientific interest for BASILISK’s audience. This collaboration aligns with the broader expansion of the esports industry, which is attracting significant investment and gaining recognition, exemplified by the International Olympic Committee’s plans to launch the Esports Olympics in 2027.
BASILISK’s Data-Driven Approach
BASILISK applies a data-driven approach to esports, initially developed for financial markets, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists. This methodology extends to player scouting and training, integrating both data science and performance psychology into the organisation’s structure. The team’s roster includes prominent players such as Joona Serral Sotala and Vincent Keymer, demonstrating a focus on strategic, intellectual competition.
IQIM, a National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Center at Caltech, focuses on advancing quantum science through research in areas including quantum information, atomic physics, and condensed matter physics. In addition to its research activities, IQIM also conducts outreach programs designed to educate students and the public about quantum mechanics, complementing BASILISK’s efforts to broaden scientific engagement. Kyle Hill, an award-winning science communicator with over 2.5 million followers, leads the organisation’s science outreach efforts, further supporting the dissemination of scientific concepts.
Partnering Institutions and Their Focuses
IQIM’s research encompasses several areas of physics, including quantum information, atomic physics, and condensed matter physics, contributing to advancements in quantum science. The institute, functioning as a National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Center at Caltech, actively pursues both research and public education regarding quantum mechanics. This outreach component complements BASILISK’s strategy for expanding engagement with scientific concepts and fostering a greater understanding of complex topics.
The Planetary Society, established by Carl Sagan and Bill Nye, maintains a global membership exceeding 2 million individuals, dedicated to space advocacy. The organisation’s core objectives include the exploration of worlds, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the implementation of planetary defence measures against asteroid impacts. This focus provides a distinct but complementary scientific interest for BASILISK’s audience, broadening the scope of outreach beyond areas directly related to quantum information science.
BASILISK was founded in 2020 by Christopher Bothur and Hans Kassier, and initially applied its data-driven methodology, developed for financial markets, to the esports domain. This approach underpins the organisation’s overall strategy, extending beyond player development to encompass broader efforts in inspiring the next generation of scientists. Kyle Hill, an award-winning science communicator with a substantial following of over 2.5 million, leads the organisation’s science outreach initiatives, further amplifying its capacity to disseminate information.
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