What are E-sports?
As a gamer myself, like everyone else, I want to be an E-sports athlete and compete in the competitive scene. This dream, more like every gamer has dreamt about, has a lot more to it than actually playing video games. First and foremost, it starts with the origin of esports. The origin of esports can be traced back to the early days of video gaming and arcade culture in the 1970s and 1980s. Competitive gaming began to gain traction in the 1990s with the rise of local and regional tournaments, particularly in games like Street Fighter II and Quake. These grassroots events laid the foundation for the organized esports scene we see today.
One pivotal moment in esports history was the release of the game StarCraft in South Korea in 1998. It became massively popular in the country and laid the groundwork for the development of professional gaming leagues, teams, and sponsorships. The Korean esports scene, particularly in games like StarCraft and later League of Legends, set the standard for professionalism and competitiveness in the industry.
Every year, the global esports market breaks its record. By 2023, the worldwide esports market was valued at US$ 1.8 billion. The IMARC Group projects that the market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% from 2024 to 2032, reaching US$ 8.2 billion.
Which video games qualify as esports?
Any video game can, in theory, become an expert as long as there is a market for spectators and competition with prizes. Some of the more unusual esports that have become popular are Turbo Racing League, a free mobile game where you race snails, and Farming Simulator, which is exactly what it sounds like.
However, the most popular E-sports can be divided into several categories: shooter games (like Call of Duty, Fortnite, CS: GO, and Valorant); fighting games (like Street Fighter and Super Smash Bros.); strategy games (like Starcraft and Warcraft); and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games (like League of Legends and Dota 2). Developers and owners of the games usually promote the ones that really catch on, hosting tournaments and competitions to kickstart the esports industry.
Compared to traditional sports, there’s always a chance that a game would be canceled, ending the competition. That is precisely what is happening with Counter-Strike 2, which is taking the position of CS: GO at the moment.
As internet connectivity improved and online gaming became more widespread, esports evolved into a global phenomenon. Major tournaments and leagues emerged, such as the Electronic Sports League (ESL), Major League Gaming (MLG), and the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), attracting millions of viewers and offering substantial prize pools. The popularity of E-sports continued to grow with the advent of streaming platforms like Twitch, which allowed fans to watch their favorite players and teams compete in real time. Today, esports encompass a wide range of games across various genres, including multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs), first-person shooters (FPS), real-time strategy (RTS), and fighting games. Explore more esports insights on our esports blog.
In conclusion, esports is a competitive gaming genre that began in the early days of video game culture and has since expanded to become a major international event with professional teams, leagues, and millions of passionate fans.
