Esports is a young industry, in some cases only developing over the last decade. As of now, it’s just starting to become an accepted sport for younger generations and those interested in an alternative to the theatre of sports and national teams. The success of this industry depends on a couple of factors like the marketing budgets of game developers and their promotion strategy, the growth of esports events around the globe and their promotion budget, and the overall growth of the sector itself.
The boom of esports is no longer limited to video game enthusiasts. Esports has already established itself as a worldwide phenomenon with stadiums packed with fans. Here’s a look at what transformed the world of esports.
Why Did Esports Get Popular?
Esports have experienced a recent surge in popularity, so much so that they’re now routinely broadcast on television and online. This phenomenon has been decades in the making, as esports events were held by organizations like Nintendo and Sega as far back as 1990. Let’s see what led to their popularity.
What Is Esports?
Esports is a type of competition where players or teams play video games against one another in front of a live audience. They often take place at large conventions and are sometimes broadcast on television or on online platforms. These games aren’t to be confused with online casino games based on luck like Casumo’s live roulette games.
The Rise of Esports: What Led to Their Popularity?
Many factors contributed to the rise of esports. However, the most important factor is the increasing availability of high-speed internet connections. This allows casual gamers to stream games for hours without worrying about lag or connection issues. This is a problem that plagued earlier attempts at live streaming. Additionally, high-speed internet made it possible to play games with other people globally in real-time.
The increased popularity of smartphones and tablets also played an essential role in helping esports achieve mainstream recognition. These devices became more powerful and affordable. This has enabled players globally to compete against each other, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
Big Opportunity for Corporates
Esports is the fastest-growing sport globally and a significant opportunity for corporates. Millions of people play video games globally and even more watch them play.
Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), League of Legends (LoL), Fortnite, and DOTA 2 have become household names. This is because gamers can live stream their gameplay for spectators worldwide.
Esports’ revenue comes from media rights (typically from online streaming platforms), advertising, sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and ticket sales. This is similar to other professional sports. Additionally, players earn a salary if they play on a team. They also win prize money if they’re successful at tournaments or competitions.
Ease of Access for Audiences
Esports has become more accessible than other sports. This is because they can be watched on various media platforms and devices. Anyone with a ticket can also attend the biggest events. This is unlike traditional sports, which often require viewers to access a specific TV channel or cable subscription.
While the accessibility of esports has helped it gain popularity, there are still aspects of it that could benefit from increased accessibility. For example, while there are many tournaments, they’re often run by different tournament organizers. Each has its websites, channels, and social media accounts to promote its tournaments and broadcast games. If a site or app could centralize this information and make it accessible from one place, it’d help increase the popularity of esports further.
Big Money at Stake
Esports is the fastest-growing sport in the world. The industry has snowballed. This has attracted a younger audience with a flair for technology and gaming into the sporting world. It’s estimated that by 2025, esports will have 500 million viewers worldwide. This is more than any other professional sporting event in history.
The main reason behind this astounding growth is the accessibility of esports. Anybody with a computer or a mobile device and an internet connection can enjoy these games. Esports gamers can compete from the comfort of their own homes. This has contributed to its growing popularity among teenagers.
Esports has also received significant financial backing from big corporations. This includes Intel, Visa, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and many others. Everyone wants a piece of the pie because they see it as an opportunity to make money from an industry that has excellent growth potential.
This investment helps to grow the sport itself and those involved at every level. This includes players, coaches, commentators, or anyone else who works within esports in general.
Live Game Streaming Is Catching On
Live game streaming is the latest trend taking the gaming community by storm. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming allow gamers to share their experiences with an audience in real-time. The content can range from simple gameplay to a commentary on what’s happening in the game, along with exciting stories or situations. This has led to the emergence of professional gamers who are making a lot of money through this booming industry.
Conclusion
Esports has become a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s now gaining more fans than traditional sports like baseball and hockey. There are about 165 million esports fans in the United States alone, and the number of fans worldwide is expected to reach 300 million by 2023.
The majority of esports enthusiasts are young adults who grew up playing video games. The most popular games include League of Legends, Fortnite, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Dota 2. These games have millions of players worldwide who compete daily for prizes and fame within the competitive gaming community.
Another factor contributing to the popularity of esports is its accessibility. Anyone can watch live streams on Twitch or YouTube gaming without spending money on tickets or subscriptions. This is what they’d do for other sports leagues such as the NBA or NFL. Gamers can also play their favorite games at home. They don’t have to travel to stadiums or arenas.