One of the most significant ways in which technology has changed our lives is the way we entertain ourselves. Nowadays, people are increasingly turning to the internet for their entertainment needs. And while this shift has brought about many positive changes, one of the most notable ones is the rise of eSports. Sources, such as Esprts even provide wagering information for those willing to bet on eSports matches.
In recent years, eSports has seen a surge in popularity all over the world. According to statistics, there are now over 474 million active eSports fans globally, with that number only expected to reach 577.2 million by 2024. With that in mind, let’s have a look at how competitive gaming became a global phenomenon.
What is eSports?
For those who are not familiar with the term, eSports refers to competitive video gaming at a professional level. Just like traditional sports, eSports require dedication, training, and skill to excel in.
Furthermore, eSports is a form of competition that is facilitated by electronic systems, particularly video games; the input of players and teams as well as the output of the eSports system are mediated by human-computer interfaces. In other words, gamers play competitive video games and try to defeat each other for a chance to win lucrative prizes.
What games are typically played in eSports?
The most popular games in eSports are typically first-person shooters (FPS) and multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), as well as real-time strategies (RTS). Some of the most popular FPS games include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Halo 5: Guardians, and Overwatch.
For MOBA games, some of the most popular titles include Dota 2, League of Legends, and Heroes of the Storm. As for the RTS, the most iconic game played is StarCraft II.
The rise of eSports
The growth of eSports has been driven by a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of streaming services like Twitch and YouTube, as well as the ever-growing prize pools for major tournaments. In addition, this rise in popularity has also led to a growth in investment, with big names such as Amazon and ESPN getting involved in the industry.
As a result, eSports is now a multi-million dollar industry, with some of the best players in the world earning millions of dollars in prize money. The top players are also able to command huge salaries from their teams, as well as sponsorship deals and other forms of income.
The rapid growth of eSports has led to an influx of new players and teams, as well as increased investments from traditional sports organizations. With all this new interest, it’s safe to say that eSports is here to stay and will only continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.