A new industry has risen from game development, a chance for gamers to go pro and win some money for their skills. Just as regular sports have held the attention and support of spectators for centuries, professional gaming is making a name for itself in a similar fashion. Live-streaming video games have become a prevalent business and opened the floor to eSports with the technological advancements of the last two decades.
Keep reading to learn more about eSports and how it became so popular.
What are esports?
In recent years, a new type of competitive gaming has been popularized. The gaming community has dubbed it eSports or electronic sports. Reminiscent of how regular sports games are broadcasted, eSports typically features two professional teams or individuals going head-to-head on a video game such as Overwatch, Valorant, or League of Legends. They are then streamed live for people worldwide to watch and even feature commentators and in-person crowds.
Where did esports begin?
The first known eSports tournament was held in the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Stanford University in 1972. Twenty-four players competed against each other in the game “Spacewar!”, a space combat simulation game. In the 2000s, eSports gained more traction. Video games became more accessible and widespread with the release of the Nintendo Wii, Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2. However, since popular games are currently mainly available on PC, most eSports players use PCs over consoles.
How many people participate in esports?
According to Statistica, a statistics website, there are almost 4,000 professional players and 532 million global watchers in the U.S. alone. The industry has been on the incline for the last two decades. Subsequently, it is expected to grow further in succession with the gaming industry. Platforms like Twitch and Kick host thousands of streamers daily, allowing gamers to develop an audience. As a result, this increases the accessibility of joining professional gaming teams and participating in tournaments like the Overwatch World Cup and the Valorant Champions Tour.
Competitors from all over the world compete in tournaments and competitions. Some companies like Riot and Blizzard developed their own leagues. Thus, these leagues are widely followed and supported by players and watchers alike. Currently, the Overwatch League contains 19 teams with players from across the globe.
Conclusion
Though eSports could still be considered fairly new and unpredictable, it provides an opportunity for gamers to showcase their skills. They can also compete to earn money sponsorships and grow their platforms. eSports has quickly captivated the gaming community and shows no signs of slowing down in the years to come.
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