What is Sofmap eSports Studio AKIBA in Akihabara?

The excitement surrounding e-Sports is at its peak.
Gaming devices are gaining attention, and various facilities such as e-Sports cafes and lounges are appearing.
Among these, one thing that is particularly noteworthy is the existence of the "e-Sports Studio."

In this article, we'll introduce what this e-Sports studio is and what kind of equipment is available.
↓Also introduced in the video

eSports Studio AKIBA

This time, we received cooperation from eSports Studio AKIBA, an e-Sports studio in Akihabara that is equipped with the most cutting-edge facilities.
This studio is located on the 8th floor of Sofmap Akiba's PC and Digital Building on Chuo-dori.
We have a wide selection of equipment, including gaming PCs with specs that are powerful enough to run competitive titles, as well as equipment that allows you to easily stream, record, and host events.

This time, I would like to take a look at the equipment at eSports Studio AKIBA, and introduce what can be done at an e-Sports studio, as well as provide an introduction for those who want to set up a new e-Sports studio.

Play on the latest and greatest gaming PCs

Here is the gaming PC installed

This is an OMEN brand gaming PC equipped with a 13th generation Core i9, RTX4090, and 64GB of memory.
This is a high-spec product that is unmatched among graphics cards for gaming purposes.
All sets at eSports Studio AKIBA are equipped with these PCs, allowing for stress-free gaming.

We also have a selection of gaming monitors, gaming desks, gaming chairs, and other items that are popular with many players.
It is also possible to create a playing environment at home and bring in a variety of devices.

Each team basically has 5 sets, and there are two of these, so it can handle most competitive titles.

Lighting to create a team match

At eSports Studio AKIBA, lighting can be set to create a sense of team presence on either side of the giant monitor installed in the middle.

By changing the color settings of the indirect lighting and monitor arms, you can increase a sense of unity as a team.


If you have a team color or personal color, changing to that color will make your team or individual stand out even more.
Using a penlight or other light to support your favorite team can create an even greater sense of unity.

Another highlight is that the lights in the venue will be turned down, further enhancing the gaming atmosphere.

Fully equipped with professional camera and audio equipment

Although it is an event venue, it also has studio functions that allow for streaming and recording.
The biggest changes in this renewal have been made to the camera and screen.

The 360-degree remote-controlled cameras and switchers installed in the venue are made by Blackmagic.
All switching, including switching between play screens, is done with this device.
In addition, a separate controller is used to operate the camera.

It is also possible to register presets, so depending on how you use it, you can create a variety of camerawork and effects.

For audio, we have a Yamaha mixer.

There is a maximum of 16 channels.
Even if you use a wireless microphone or wireless pin microphone, there will probably still be a few channels left over, so it might be possible to connect some kind of audio device.
Maybe even bring in DJ equipment...?
So that means...?

It's located inside Sofmap, so you can do your shopping there too.

The gaming devices that can be used in the studio are actually commercially available.
If you try it and like it, you can purchase it right away at Sofmap's gaming device corner!
・5th floor gaming PC corner



・6th floor gaming device corner



・7th floor gaming device corner (mainly chairs)



You also get 10% points, so after purchasing a high-spec gaming PC, you can use the points to purchase other devices!
*Some products are not eligible for the 10% points.

If you're interested in hosting a gaming event or are curious about what's on offer, head to Sofmap!

This time, we had the opportunity to interview eSports Studio AKIBA.
It may seem a little small for an event venue, but it's probably the best studio in terms of the closeness you get at a fan meeting and the excitement you feel at a tournament.
Also, since it has a very "realistic" feel as a streaming and recording studio, it might be a good place for YouTubers to record.
From what I saw, it seemed more suitable for things like gaming team fan meetings and social gatherings, manufacturers' new product launches, etc., rather than for holding large-scale official tournaments.
That said, I think it can be used in a variety of ways depending on your ideas, so if you're interested, I recommend checking out the official website or official X.

eSports Studio AKIBA Official Website
eSports Studio AKIBA Official X