Esports is a name which many will recognize yet not truly understand. Many associate the name with gaming and know of its love amongst gamers, however fail to understand truly how popular it has become.
Esports has gone from casually playing team games to now becoming large competitions which people around the world will travel to see live.
The term esports should not be looked at lightly because it really is a sport. It requires plenty of skill, a skill that no ordinary person can master.
In this article, we will be looking further at what it is that makes esports as popular as it is.
A History Of Esports
Esports have been around for quite some time. In fact, they have been around since the early days of video games in the 1970s.
They were first used by arcade machines where players would compete against each other in various games such as Pacman or Space Invaders. These games were very simple and did not require much skill.
As technology advanced, so did the games themselves. Games like Street Fighter became more complex and required more skill than before.
This was due to the fact that the game had to be played on a television screen instead of an arcade machine. Nowadays, these types of games are known as esports.
The popularity of esports has grown over the years. Today, there are many different types of games being played all over the world.
Some examples include League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter Strike Global Offensive, Dota 2, Starcraft II, Heroes of Newerth, and World of Warcraft.
All of these games are played competitively by teams of individuals. Each team (on a professional level) is given a certain amount of money per month to play their matches.
The most popular type of esports today is the MOBA genre. These games are also referred to as Multiplayer Online Battle Arena.
These games are similar to traditional sports in that they involve two teams competing against one another. However, unlike traditional sports, the rules of the game change every week.
For example, in League of Legends, the objective of the game changes weekly. One week, it may be to destroy the enemy’s Nexus Tower. Another week, it could be to protect your own Nexus Tower.
Esports are growing in popularity across the globe. There are currently thousands of tournaments taking place around the world. Some of them even take place in countries outside of North America and Europe.
What Makes Esports So Popular?
There are several reasons why esports are so popular. Not only is it great to get involved in but it is plenty of fun.
There are many different aspects of esports that make it so popular. We will look at some of them here:
1. Fun
Esports are a lot of fun. No matter if you are a casual player or someone who plays professionally, esports is always entertaining.
The games are fast-paced and oftentimes unpredictable. It is impossible to predict what will happen next. Even though the games are short, they are still extremely intense.
Players must constantly adapt to changing situations while trying to outsmart their opponents.
2. Easy To Get Involved In
One of the biggest benefits of playing esports is that anyone can do it. There are no special requirements needed to play. All you need is a computer with internet access and a headset.
Many people have started playing because they wanted to compete with other players online. They quickly realized how much fun it was and decided to keep doing it.
3. Great Financial Rewards
One of the main reasons why esports are so appealing is that they pay really well. Professional gamers receive a monthly salary from their sponsors.
This means that they earn more than most college students. As long as you continue to perform well on the court/field/, you can expect to receive good money.
4. Provides A Platform For Young People To Show Off Their Skills
Another reason why esports are so popular is that they give young people an opportunity to showcase their talents. When you watch a soccer game, you see athletes running up and down the field.
What you don’t see is all of the training that goes into developing these skills. Most professional athletes spend years practicing before they ever step foot on the field. Esports allows young people to develop their skills.
5. Allows People To Meet New Friends
The final benefit of esports is that they allow people to meet others with common interests. Oftentimes, people join groups such as Reddit where they discuss topics related to gaming.
They share tips and tricks about various video games. These communities also help people find like-minded individuals.
Should Esports Be Considered A Real Sport?
Many people believe that esports should be considered a real sport. Some even go as far as saying that they deserve to be included in the Olympics. However, there are two major issues with this idea.
First, esports cannot be compared to traditional sports. Traditional sports require specific equipment. They also involve physical activity.
Esports does not have any of these requirements. Instead, it requires only your own body and a keyboard.
Second, esports are not recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Since esports are not officially part of the Olympics, they cannot participate in any future Games.
But with this said, this doesn’t mean that esports shouldn’t be thought of highly.
Although it is not the same as the traditional sport, esports has made a huge name for itself, even going as far as playing in areas and having thousands of cheering fans around.
Esports may not be the traditional sport but it has revolutionized the possibility.
Final Thoughts
Esports are growing at a very fast rate. It’s clear that many companies want to get involved in this industry as it has captured the hearts of many gamers and is incredibly popular.
Esports will only continue to grow and perhaps will one day be in league with traditional sports.
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!
