eSports are video game competitions between amateurs and professionals, allowing participants to play individually or as a team. Thanks to technology advancements and millions of dedicated fans worldwide, the industry has become one of the most popular virtual environments. As a result, it will soon become a $1,5 billion industry.
Although there are still heated arguments about eSports needing to be more natural for an actual sport. The growth of eSports and the dexterity of its participants suggest otherwise. Like every other sporting activity, eSports players have to exert mental and physical strength and showcase a high level of sportsmanship to win.
In this article, we’ll discuss why eSports will soon outrank traditional sports as the sports industry leader in this century.
How Has eSports Developed Over The Years?
Although it owes its popularity to blockbuster video game releases such as FIFA Soccer, League of Legends, and Fortnite. Tournaments have significantly contributed to eSports’ growth in the last decade. For example, the first official eSports tournament in 1997 (Red Annihilation Tournament) had more than 2,000 participants in attendance, creating widespread media recognition for the new type of sport.
The advent of the internet and the rapid growth of the video game industry also propagated the seed of online tournaments. Allowing players and viewers to connect virtually and also attend live events. Over 173,000 audiences in Katowice, Poland, recently watched the Intel Extreme Masters tournament. This shows how fast it’s grown and how widely accepted it has become.
This idea of moving games from the conventional living room into virtual rooms created the eSports craze for audiences worldwide. Partnerships with platforms like Xbox Live and PlayStation allowed players to access their favourite games easily and monetize their gameplay. Now, viewers can leverage the top eSports betting sites to make mind-blowing income from their favourite games. In addition, pro players can make money through eSports tournaments, viewerships, and sponsorships. This has created a win-win situation for eSports, its players, and its audience, allowing it to grow and expand yearly.
Why eSports Could Soon Become The Leading Sport of the Century
Ever since eSports came to the spotlight in the early 2000s, the game empire has continuously grown its roots across all sectors of online video games. Here are some of the reasons it might soon take over sports:
Massive Audience Involved In Tournaments
The NBA and Football leagues are popular thanks to the millions of fans they gather worldwide. Now, eSports also has a large following from players around the world. For example, the Super Bowl (the annual final game of the National Football League) gets about 100 million viewers. In comparison, the League of Legends Mid-season Invitational gathered nearly 360 million unique viewers in 2017!
This means the eSports audience already has the privilege most sports will never get. So the fans can participate in eSport bets like every other sport. Furthermore, as eSports is geared for continued growth, many of its tournaments will occur in different venues across continents. People can watch the exact matches simultaneously.
Esports Is Accessible To All
Rather than limit players to specific sports, everyone will be able to participate actively in eSports. Conventional games require players to be of certain heights, physiques, or gender, but in eSports, there is no fitness bias. People can practice and improve their skills anywhere and at any time of the day, unlike regular sports with limited time and location.
There is also a nearly zero gender gap because anyone can play their favorite games without physical strength or advantages. So, eSports is perhaps the most desirable option in a world seeking to embrace gender equality. The platform allows players to access all sports from multiple devices (consoles, laptops, mobiles) and play with other players worldwide at no additional cost.
Media, Organizations, and Sponsors Are Racing To Join
The bulk of funding in the sports industry comes from popular sponsors. Brands like Toyota, TeamViewer, Samsung, Yokohama, etc., are some of the sponsors for traditional sports. However, eSports games have also started attracting big names such as Intel, Ferrari, and Red Bull, eager to promote their brands with eSport.
In addition, the tournaments and live events have gained more media coverage on TV and sports channels. With celebrities like Drake and Snoop Dogg already investing in eSports, it’s only a matter of time before it dominates globally.
eSports Offers Plenty of Profits
Since millions of people are already active in eSports, the brand has raised its revenue over the years. The company generated up to $906 million in revenue between 2017 to 2018, recording a yearly growth of +38.2%. Although this figure is low compared to conventional pro sports, eSports still have many untapped resources and market potential. For example, players can now bet on eSports with sites that offer high returns and make as much money as they’d bet on traditional sports.
Limitless Career Opportunities
Unlike the tall orders for becoming a professional athlete or sportsperson, getting a job at eSports is much easier. People won’t have to meet physical requirements, which means anyone can apply. In addition, casual players can quickly upskill their gameplay and prove to the world in tournaments to get signed as professionals.
Online jobs have increased lately, with more demands for YouTube and Twitch specialists. So, for players who lack the skills to compete professionally, there are many eSports careers available online to pursue. For example, eSports content creators, editors, journalists, and even streamers.
Conclusion
Summarily, eSports is on a growth spree, attracting new attention every day. Every year, more corporations, sportspeople, and celebrities are growing interested. So, there’s no doubt it will soon replace traditional sports to become an all-inclusive sport for everyone worldwide.
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