Eve Online (aka spreadsheets in space) players past and present might enjoy the reference that was made in the article. Was it an in-joke?
"For example, Ngai had to calculate the market value of a fleet of spaceships using real data from the video game Eve Online – with the action televised live on ESPN."
No, Eve Online was one of the sponsors. Surprisingly pro level gamers use spreadsheets more than one would expect from „gaming”.
Final round was really about calculating stuff based on game economy. Challenge was created by top game guy. Which in some ways was surprising for finance guys.
I played Eve for a good while (more than a decade) and the complexities was one of the appealing aspects, but unfortunately at one point the time between my sessions increased more and more, and I fell behind the learning and time curve, and dropped out.
"For example, Ngai had to calculate the market value of a fleet of spaceships using real data from the video game Eve Online – with the action televised live on ESPN."