Esports is a new type of sport that combines physical and mental prowess. The most popular titles include games like Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Dota 2. Esports is wildly popular with both men and women around the world, attracting sponsorships from major brands like Coca-Cola and Mastercard.
Esports has been around for a long time with one of the first known tournaments taking place in 1972, but over the last 20 years, it has seen an explosion in popularity moving from a niche community to a cultural force around the world.
This primer will explain how you can start watching esports, why it’s a popular sport, and the most popular games in this new genre.
The world of Esports
Esports, short for electronic sports, aims to bring the competition of traditional sports and its fundamentals of hard work, and team play to the digital age. Competitors from around the world battle in games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and more for prize money and championship titles. Over the last 20 years, esports has moved from a niche and largely disconnected set of communities to a massive global ecosystem worth billions of dollars.
Why Is Esports So Popular?
There are a few reasons why esports has become so popular. First, the games are spectator-friendly and can be easily understood by viewers. Second, unlike traditional sports, anyone can compete even on a high level without physical traits like height, or strength becoming a factor.
If you are willing to put in the work you can gain the skills. Finally, the money in the industry has increased to a point where most top-level competitors are able to commit their lives to their esport as it provides a full time, and often generous living.
These are just a few of the reasons why esports has become so popular! Now let’s get into the most popular games, tournaments, and types of esports.
The Basics of How Esports Works
In order to understand how Esports work, you need to understand the basics of the games themselves. One of the great things about esports is that there are a lot of different games that require different skills.
There are 1v1 games, team games, fast-paced shooters, and slow methodical strategy games.
Finding the game that clicks most with you as a player or a viewer can take some time, but it’s very rewarding to find that
Game objectives can range from 1v1 fighters in an arena where the goal is to beat your opponent, to a team based on either killing the enemy team or completing an objective.
There are even games with non-violent objectives like scoring goals, or completing tasks the fastest.
Every year new game types and new competitions are making their way into esports and everything from League of Legends to Farming Simulator is becoming an esport!
Tournaments can take many different formats, but the most common type of competition is a standard double or single elimination bracket where each match includes between 1 and 5 games to determine who advances.
There are some games that function with traditional-style leagues, or with point systems, but these are less common.
Timeline
Truitt said starting a location in Cape Girardeau is a “priority,” adding the gaming center will be 2,500- to 3,000-square-feet in size with a target of July to open — adding the company does not have a location identified.
“The equipment needed for an esports gaming center is expensive and also costly to maintain,” said Truitt, adding supply-chain issues make a firm prediction for a start date problematic.
Others
In addition to Riley, Truitt and Williams, other company principals are James Stapleton and Chris Carnell of Codefi and Glenn Campbell, co-founder of Hat World-Lids and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.
Retention
Truitt spoke directly to an issue raised by those involved in devising a strategic plan for Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, the not-for-profit economic development organization.
“All of us in Relentless Contenders have a passion for retaining young people here where they don’t feel the need to relocate to Nashville or St. Louis,” Truitt said. Southeast Missouri State University
has an esports presence, which is said to be the second largest club at the school. Some middle schools and high schools — such as Cape Girardeau Central, for example — have successful student groups as well.
Payne said some universities offer scholarships for esport gamers.
“Every industry is a tech industry today and helping a young person find a job in IT in this area is certainly part of what we want to accomplish.”
Fighting Games
Fighting games are a type of competitive game that involves players competing against each other in one-on-one matches. Each player uses quick reactions and deep knowledge of the game’s characters to take the opponent’s health down to 0. The most popular fighting esports games are Super Smash Bros., Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter.
Sports Games
Sports games are a unique type of esports which typically focus on real-world sports such as football, soccer, baseball, or rugby. In these games, each player controls one member of a team to compete against other players in multiplayer matches. The objective is the same as the traditional sports parallel. Sports games are unique because they require teamwork and understanding of the sport in order to be successful. These games are typically played on a console, but can also be played on PC if desired.
Racing Games
Similar to sports games, racing esports involve controlling different vehicles against other players or computer-controlled opponents. The objective in racing games is to be the first person to cross the finish line after completing laps around a track.
These types of games are typically played on PC, but can also be found on console systems like Xbox and Playstation.
FPS Games
FPS or First Person Shooter games are some of the most popular titles in the esports world. Encompassing games like Call of Duty, Halo, Counterstrike, and Valorant along with many others, FPS games put you in the first-person view of your character, and use shooting and aiming skills to eliminate other players. These games can be played in many different formats, and offer some of the most varied gameplay across the genera. No two FPS games are exactly alike, and all of them are well worth exploring.
MOBA Games
MOBA’s or Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas are some of the top esports games out there. Popular games include League of Legends, Dota 2, Mobile Legends, and Smite. Most of these games are played on PC, but their popularity in the mobile market is growing. In these games you usually control a character looking down on them from above and use skills and teamwork to try and destroy another team’s base. MOBA games generally require both mechanical skill and teamwork to effectively compete. MOBA’s also usually have different positions in the game that players specialize in similar to a position on baseball or football. At high levels of competition, players will specialize in just one role and work to develop those skills in particular.
Battle Royale Games
Battle Royale games are one of the newer genres of esports to develop, but they have grown in a huge way. These games are usually 60-100 player games where players fight to be the last ones standing. Generally, these games have both team and solo formats, but outside those, basic principle battle royale games can be massively different. This category includes titles everyone has heard about like Fortnite, and APEX Legends, but is also constantly adding in new games as different developers try their take on these large-scale action games. Call of Duty had their own version called Warzone, and smaller developers are bringing out titles like Eternal Return, and Super People.
Why Are Esports So Popular and Engaging?
Esports are so popular because they offer an engaging and unique experience that can be enjoyed by all. These games combine both physical and mental skills, making them a unique form of entertainment. Esports are also very exciting to watch, with many different genres to enjoy.
Traditional sports require the use of one’s body, while esports can be played using only mental skills (and sometimes a controller).
Because there are many games to choose from when it comes to gaming, you can find the perfect game for you
Tips on How to Get into Esports if You are interested
If you are interested in getting into Esports, there are a few things that you can do to get started.
Firstly, you should find a game that you enjoy and watch some of the best players compete. This will give you a better understanding of how the game is played and what is required to be successful.
You can also join an online community for the game that you are playing. This will allow you to meet other players who can help you learn the ropes.
Finally, don’t be afraid to compete against others. There are many different tournaments available for all types of games, so find one that suits your skill level and give it a try!
The Wrap
Esports is a new form of sport that combines both physical and mental prowess to create an exciting competitive environment. Esports players compete against one another in many of the world’s most popular video games Across many of the most popular genres including MOBA and FPS, RTS, Fighting Games, and Sports Games. If you want to get into this world then the best way is just to jump in. Try out different games until you find one that you really enjoy and then connect with a community online, or at a local LAN center to help you grow and improve your skills. Also, check out all of the awesome online content from the different tournaments, and leagues spanning the esports world!
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