ESports, or electronic sports, is the latest sensation in the gaming industry. The phenomenon has been around for a while now, but it has only recently started to gain mainstream attention. Esports is essentially competitive video gaming. Players from all over the world battle each other in games such as League of Legends, DOTA 2, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, and StarCraft. In this blog, we shall be looking into the history of esports, some interesting facts about it, and how it has evolved over the years.
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The vast industry of Esports:
Many people still think that Esports is just a bunch of people sitting in front of their computers playing games against each other for fame and recognition; but, this is simply not true anymore. Many professional gamers make more than most people can even dream of. Let’s look at some esports facts:
- The prize pool for the winning team of The International, a famous DOTA 2 tournament, was more than $10 million in 2013 and 2014.
- Average money earned per playing hour: $3600 (League of Legends)
- Major League Gaming saw an average of more than 150000 spectators in 2013.
- According to SuperData, the global esports market earned $612 million in revenues in 2014 with a net worth of $325 million.
- The viewership for LoL Worlds Finals was more than 27 million.
Many brands have started investing heavily in Esports. Major sponsors are Coca-Cola, Samsung, Red Bull, Razer, etc.
Why is Esports so popular?
So, what is it that has made Esports so popular? There are many reasons for this. First and foremost, Esports is very challenging and competitive. This means that there are tournaments all across the world regularly. Thirdly, Esports games are often designed with multiplayer capabilities in mind. This allows for gamers to play against each other online at any time ranging from casual play to high stakes professional play.
Another reason Esports has become so popular is that it does not rely on traditional media anymore. People can now just tune in to Twitch or YouTube to watch gamers play live, and this eliminates the need for having separate TV channels dedicated to Esports.
Not only are people interested in watching others play games, but they also like to be entertained while watching their favorite game. Even is why people tune in to watch Esports events because not only do they get to watch their favorite games being played at a high level, but there are also many informative and entertaining shows.
Lastly, the industry of Esports has started gaining mainstream attention. Many colleges and universities have started offering scholarships for gamers. There are talks about broadcasting esports on major television networks like ESPN and Turner Sports.
The future of Esports Industry:
The industry of Esports is expected to grow exponentially. According to Newzoo, the global market value is expected to reach $463 million by 2018. More famous gamers are emerging from all across the world. With time, this trend will continue as well. Eventually, esports could become an Olympic sport. Many famous athletes such as Shaquille O’Neal, Mark Cuban, and Rick Fox have started investing in Esports.
Therefore, it is evident that Esports is not just a trend that will fade away shortly. Nowadays, there is no need to explain what esports is. As one of the most rapidly growing industries globally, it will inevitably keep growing and evolving.
The other information about Esports Technology:
Esports is an evolving industry. It has evolved from simply playing games to earn money to have legitimate careers as gamers. At this point, Twitch and YouTube are the best platforms for people who would like to become more involved with Esports.
Though there are many shows that discuss various aspects of esports on these platforms, which help viewers stay up to date with the latest developments in the industry, watching a popular gamer’s stream on Twitch would be the best way to get started with Esports.
The Conclusion:
Esports is a very profitable industry. Since it requires skill and practice, people from all age groups can get involved with esports. Today, Esports has more viewers than some real sports events such as the Super Bowl. Also, many companies have started investing in Esports. This means that competitive gaming will only grow in popularity going forward.
Therefore, it is evident that Esports will continue to grow and evolve as time goes by. This is why we should encourage people to take part in the industry and make a career out of gaming. As reported by Forbes: “There’s never been a better time for building an esports career.
