Esports is a rapidly growing global phenomenon where video games are played competitively. The term was coined in 1997 by David Sirlin, who wanted to describe the combination of sports and entertainment.
Esports has become a major part of our lives. From professional athletes to casual players, everyone loves watching their favorite game being played at its highest level.
In this article, we will try to give you some insight on what exactly Esports are.
We’ll explain things like how eSports are different from regular video games, as well as the differences between titles such as League of Legends, DOTA 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite and more.
Let’s take a look at some definitions below that shed light on everything about esports (see also ‘What Is Prohibited In eSports?’).
What Is Esports?
The Oxford Dictionary defines Esports as follows:
“The study of electronic sport.”
While Merriam-Webster’s definition says:
“A competition between two or more teams or individuals playing against each other using electronic devices”.
And finally, Urban Dictionary defines Esports as:
“A video game tournament with cash prizes for winners.”
Now that we have the basics down, let’s dig into some questions you may have about Esports.
How Did Esports Start?
Esports started back in 1991 when Nintendo released Super Mario Bros 3. This became the first ever video game to be broadcasted live. It featured an actual commentator instead of a narrator.
Who Watches Esports?
According to a report published by Newzoo, there were over 380 million people watching esports in 2017. This number has continued to grow dramatically since then. The majority of the people who watch esports are in North America, South Korea, and China.
Where Can I Watch Esports?
You can find Esports tournaments all around the world. Some examples include the World Cyber Games, DreamHack, ESL One, Intel Extreme Masters, Blizzcon, and many more.
You can also find Esports broadcasts on TV networks like ESPN, Fox Sports, Twitch, YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, Twitter and more.
What Are The Different Types Of Esports?
There are several types of Esports, but here are the most popular ones:
Casual – These are usually short matches, lasting anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. You may not get much out of these if you’re looking for strategy, but they’re perfect if you’re just looking to kill time.
Competitive – These are longer matches, often spanning hours. There are multiple rounds which determine the winner. Strategy is key for these matches.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) – MOBA games feature lots of action, fast paced gameplay, and require teamwork. Many MOBA games are team based where up to five players work together to destroy the enemy base.
First Person Shooter (FPS) – FPS games put you right in the middle of the action. Players use weapons to shoot enemies and defend their own bases.
Fighting Games – Fighting games are intense, fast paced, and require quick reactions. The goal is to knock your opponent off balance and defeat them before they knock you off balance.
Are Esports Safe?
Yes! Esports are very safe. Unlike traditional sports, Esports don’t involve any physical contact. Instead, it involves skillful movement and coordination. As long as you follow the rules, you should be fine.
Do Esports Make Money?
Yes! Esports do make money. According to a study done by Newzoo, the global Esports industry was worth $1.2 billion dollars in 2016. And that number continues to grow.
Can I Learn Something New Through Esports?
Definitely! Esports are great at teaching people skills such as communication, planning, organization, leadership, etc. It’s easy to learn things like this because you have to think about what you want to accomplish rather than just watching someone else play.
How Old Does One Need To Be To Play Esports?
The minimum age requirement to compete in Esports varies per country. In North America, you must be at least 13 years old. In Europe, you must be 16 years old. In Asia, there isn’t an official requirement.
Why Is eSports So Popular?
Esports are extremely popular because they combine two of our favorite pastimes: playing video games and competing against others. They offer a unique experience that no other sport or game can match.
eSports are also accessible. Playing a traditional sport requires you to organize people into the exact same physical location. With esports, you can play with people all around the world instantly by connecting to them via the internet.
What Is League Of Legends?
League of Legends is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game developed by Riot Games. It has over 100 million registered users worldwide.
There are currently 10 active professional League of Legends teams. Each team consists of 5-8 members.
What Is DOTA?
DOTA stands for Defense Of The Ancients. This is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas and strategy video game. It was created by Valve Corporation in 2003.
Valve released DOTA 2 in 2013. It was a huge success and became one of the most played online multiplayer games.
Valve also released Dota Underlords which is a mobile version of DOTA 2.
What Is CSGO?
CSGO stands for Counter Strike Global Offensive. It is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena video game developed by Valve Corporation.
CSGO was first released on August 19th, 2012. Since then, it has been downloaded more than 200 million times.
CSGO is a team based shooter where players fight each other using various weapons.
What Is Overwatch?
Overwatch is a Multiplayer Online Battle arena video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released on May 24th, 2016.
Blizzard Entertainment released Overwatch League on January 21st, 2019.
It is a team based shooter similar to CSGO but instead of fighting each other, players fight waves of enemies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Esports are here to stay. They’re not going anywhere anytime soon. There are many different types of Esports out there, and watching and playing esports continues to grow in popularity as the years go by.
My name is Ashley Newby and I want to put integrity back into esports and get the hype surrounding them paramount once more. During my teenage years, I happened to stumble across a Street Fighter tournament online and I was hooked.
From that day, I have kept up with and watched many tournaments including Valorant, Super Smash Bros, and League of Legends. I even got to compete in my first one earlier this year!
