Esports' Debut as a Medal Event at 2023 Asian Games: Exploring Public Perceptions with BERTopic and GPT-4 Topic Fine-Tuning
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2025
Abstract
This study examined the public opinions of esports at the 2023 Asian Games and value cocreation during the event using an LLM-enhanced BERTopic modeling analysis. We identified five major themes representing public perceptions, as well as how major stakeholders co-created value within and beyond the esports ecosystem. Key findings highlighted the strategic use of social media marketing to influence public opinion and promote esports events and brands, emphasizing the importance of event logistics and infrastructure. Additionally, the study revealed the co-creation value contributed by stakeholders outside the traditional esports ecosystem, particularly in promoting national representation and performance. Our findings supported the ongoing efforts to legitimize esports as a sport, noting that mainstream recognition remains a challenge. The inclusion of esports as a medal event showcased broader acceptance and helped mitigate negative public perceptions. Moreover, contributions from non-traditional stakeholders underscored the value of cross-subcultural collaborations in esports.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
First Page
4303
Last Page
4312
Recommended Citation
Qian, T., Yu, B., Li, W., & Xu, C. (2025). Esports' Debut as a Medal Event at 2023 Asian Games: Exploring Public Perceptions with BERTopic and GPT-4 Topic Fine-Tuning. Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 4303-4312. Retrieved from https://repository.lsu.edu/kinesiology_pubs/327