Best Benefit Ever: A Free Piece of Hearthstone Flair

What’s the benefit? Digital card backs. That may not sound exciting to you, but for players of the wildly popular  (opens in a new tab) online card game Hearthstone  (opens in a new tab), earning alternate designs for the backs of the cards players use is a big deal. The cards are usually given as a reward for a specific in-game action, but members of The eSports Association (TeSPA)  (opens in a new tab) have an opportunity to get an exclusive card back. To get one, you’ll have to be an active member of a TeSPA local chapter  (opens in a new tab) that has at least 25 members by this fall.

Why it works for members: Card backs give members a way to stand out from the crowd, but, more important, they promote involvement with the e-sports community and encourage others to join up. Think of a card back as a badge of honor or a digital version of the swag you’d typically pick up at a conference. Plus, there’s an element of exclusivity involved, since acquiring new card backs is no easy task and many are no longer available to players  (opens in a new tab).

Other benefits: TeSPA’s main benefit is the infrastructure it provides to the burgeoning collegiate e-sports community, made up of students who play online games in organized competitions. Disparate local communities are brought together  (opens in a new tab) by local chapters, boards of directors, and boards of advisors across five U.S. regions. As groups grow, so do their benefits: Initially, they get a website, a mailing list, and a few other benefits, but with more members come more in-game rewards, event sponsorships, promotional assistance, and more  (opens in a new tab). And for students looking to eventually take part in e-sports on a professional level, TeSPA provides a prominent launching pad: A recent tournament  (opens in a new tab) offered a $35,000 prize pool and drew 4.5 million live views.

(Blizzard Entertainment/TeSPA)