Studio Technologies Model 5422A Helps WePlay Esports Reach Worldwide Digital Audience

Dante Intercom Audio Engine Delivers Unparalleled Flexibility and Functionality

LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2023 – When WePlay Esports, a content production company, launched its WePlay Esports Arena in Los Angeles, the state-of-the-art venue was equipped with the latest and greatest gear including the Model 5422A Dante® Intercom Audio Engine from Studio Technologies.

Founded in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2011 by Yura Lazebnikov and Oleg Krоt, today WePlay Esports is a content-driven production company that combines the best practices of esports, technology, and entertainment to provide cutting-edge products and services worldwide. The Los Angeles-based arena is the company’s first foray into the American market, boasting a 20,000-square-foot space and a physical audience capacity of over 100 people. The arena hosts up to 30 events annually and is designed specifically to integrate augmented-reality media and reach a worldwide digital audience.

“Our goal at WePlay Esports is to create unparalleled viewer experiences, and Studio Technologies’ Model 5422A Dante Intercom Audio Engine is a vital component within our Dante workflow,” says Ivan Zabaluyev, Broadcast Engineer, WePlay Esports. “The Model 5422A has incredible flexibility and its excellent IFB functionality is the best on the market today.”

WePlay utilizes Dante as the backbone for both its audio and intercoms and has over 50 Dante-based devices on its network. This includes two Allen & Health audio consoles with stage boxes, Studio Technologies Model 5422As, as well as a host of other Dante-compatible products.

“The Model 5422A provides us with clear communications, allowing us to develop, produce, and host memorable, international esports tournaments and gaming shows that thrill players and fans alike,” adds Zabaluyev. “My goal is to add more of the Model 5422A Dante boxes as soon as possible.”

The Model 5422A Dante Intercom Audio Engine is a high-performance, cost-effective, and flexible solution for creating party-line (PL) intercom circuits when used with Dante-compatible products, including the Studio Technologies’ range of 1-, 2-, and 4-channel intercom beltpacks. The Model 5422A can also prove valuable in a variety of other general audio and broadcast-related mixing, IFB (talent cuing), and interfacing applications. Only power and Ethernet network connections are required for the Model 5422A to provide a powerful resource in a variety of Dante applications. The Model 5422A is available in two versions — one with 32 input and output channels and the other with 64 input and output channels.

The Model 5422A provides three Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) network interfaces, two which can support redundant Dante operation and a third for accessing the management menu system. To meet the latest interoperability standards, the unit’s Dante implementation meets the requirements of AES67. Support for the Dante Domain Manager™ (DDM) software application is also provided. An integral web server allows fast and flexible configuration of the unit’s Dante audio and networking performance. Front-panel indicators, a graphics display, and pushbutton switches provide personnel with direct access to key operating parameters. Using the STcontroller software application, key operating parameters can be monitored in real time.

WePlay Esports was shortlisted for The Sports Emmy® Awards for 2022 for outstanding coverage of an esports event and a finalist for the 2021 Esports Awards for Creative Team of the Year. The team is proud to have developed, produced, hosted, and broadcast more than 25 esports tournaments, amassing nearly 2 million followers and 235 million views on Twitch.

WePlay is partnering with the One True King (OTK) influencers network, as well as working with gaming publisher miHoYo. WePlay Esports is also the official production partner of  Enthusiast Gaming  for  NFL Tuesday Night Gaming,  a live-stream show, where NFL stars and Legends together with prominent gaming influencers  compete  in  popular gaming disciplines.