eSports is video gaming at the highest levels of competition. eSports allows professional players to play the games they excel at for large amounts of money. Each year, millions of fans tune in to watch their favorite players and teams compete in intense battles in packed arenas.
eSports has taken a major leap within the last few years with games such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch. We have seen Olympic Stadiums sell out with fans coming to see professional gamers in action. Colleges and Universities are now offering scholarships and fully-funded programs for players. There are even certain games that allow quick and easy access to competitive gaming without any outside software, websites, or hassle.
Why is it so Popular?
Why do people watch professional Football? Because there is something about seeing the absolute best at a game do their thing that entertains and inspires millions. Obviously, many people cannot or don’t want to reach the top levels of their video game. So instead, they opt to watch others and soak in the highs and lows of these competitions. Many eSports players have a connection with fans through social media, content creation, and/or livestreaming. This connection helps fans become more involved and invested in that team or player, which encourages them to come back and support them in these competitions.
Who can compete?
Virtually anyone with access to the video game can compete in eSports. There may be age and region restrictions determined by the event organizers, but there is not much stopping players from getting to those top spots. There will be another article about finding a team in the near future, but once there are a group of gamers ready to play together, they can use a variety of websites, such as www.gamebattles.majorleaguegaming.com to find tournaments and win prizes!
What makes up an eSports team?
An eSports team has a lot of components, much like a traditional sports team. In addition to the players, there is usually a coach. The coach will look over strategies for the team and help them implement them in their gameplay. The coach will also review player performance to offer guidance and help. Sometimes the coach will also play for the team, but they are usually more focused on helping the team improve. The captain, on the other hand, is usually a mix between a player, coach, and leader. The captain must have expert knowledge of the team and great leadership skills to keep the team on track to win as many events as possible. The captain usually gathers input from members of the team, but ultimately has the final say on decisions. In addition to these roles, there are often content producers that take clips and gameplay from the team to upload online. The team may also have managers to organize sponsorships, events, tournaments, etc. The presence and roles of these positions may vary from team to team, but this is the basis for a lot of eSports organizations.
How much money is involved?
This can vary from tournament to tournament. There are some events that are free to enter and have prizes of $5-10 for each winner. Some of the bigger tournaments held live have prize pools of up to $25 million. As eSports becomes more popular, we will most likely see that number get bigger and bigger. The prize pool money comes from sponsorships and the sale of merchandise from fans. Companies are always exploring new ways to increase that prize pool to raise the stakes and give back to the community that makes this form of entertainment so popular. For more information on how the players make money, see “How do People Make Money Playing Video Games?” for more information on how eSports players make money.
eSports has been around for almost as long as video games. However, in the early days, nobody would have expected it to become the beast it is today. It has gone from small scale tournaments in an arcade to arenas packed with fans from all over the world. This industry worth billions of dollars is on the verge of becoming one of the biggest forms of entertainment. With talks of eSports becoming an Olympic competition, it’s no wonder millions of players are looking to get in on the action. The eSports industry is always reaching new and innovative levels, and it will be exciting to see where it goes within the next few years.