Ryan Thompson is the Co-Founder and Chief Production Officer of Esports Engine, a Vindex subsidiary and operator of the world’s top esports leagues.
Well before platforms like Twitch or YouTube existed, Thompson spent the start of his career developing ways to bring the excitement of esports competitions hosted by Major League Gaming – the landmark gaming organization that helped established esports in North America – to viewers at home.
Thompson would spend the next 15 years pioneering the marriage between technology, gaming, and competition that would power thousands of the industry’s most popular esports tournaments and leagues for stakeholders such as Microsoft, Nintendo, Riot Games, Twitch, and many more. After overseeing more than 150 live events for dozens of video game titles including Call of Duty, Halo, and Counter-Strike at Activision, Thompson would co-found Esports Engine, a strategic partner for publishers, brands, creators, and stakeholders to produce the world’s top esports leagues and premium content.
As consumption habits shift from linear to interactive and gaming continues to be the most dominant form of entertainment, Thompson is now helping companies and brands rewrite the playbook to engage the next generation of fans. Notably, Thompson collaborated with landmark sports properties, such as the X Games and the Olympics, helping bridge the worlds of sports, entertainment, and gaming to reach younger audiences consuming content on Twitch.
