When it comes to entertainment, video gamers have many options to choose from. From traditional console and PC games to the more modern esports, there are a lot of ways to enjoy gaming. But what exactly is esports and how can one take part in it? In this blog article, we will discuss the exciting world of esports and how you can get involved.
History of Esports
Esports is a form of competitive video gaming, where teams of players compete in different video games for prize money, fame, and recognition. The first organized esports tournament was held in October 1972 in Stanford University in the USA, where it was called the Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics. Since then, the popularity of esports has grown exponentially and it has become a professional sport with its own leagues, teams, and tournaments.
The growth of esports has been fuelled by the rise of streaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Mixer, which have allowed gamers to share their gaming experiences with a wider audience. This has also made it easier for gamers to watch their favorite esports teams and players.
Introduction to Esports
Esports is a rapidly growing industry, and it is estimated that the global esports market will be worth over $1.4 billion by 2021. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of esports tournaments, the emergence of esports betting, and the availability of streaming platforms.
Esports is essentially a form of competition between two or more players or teams, who compete in a video game for prize money, fame, and recognition. It can be further divided into professional and amateur competitions. Professional esports tournaments are organised by large corporations and involve teams of professional gamers, while amateur tournaments are usually organised by smaller organisations such as gaming clubs and universities.
Types of Esports
Esports can be divided into several different types, each with their own unique characteristics. The most popular types are:
First-Person Shooter (FPS) These are typically fast-paced, team-based games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Overwatch, where players use guns and other equipment to eliminate their opponents.
Real-Time Strategy (RTS) These are slower-paced games such as StarCraft and Warcraft III, where players must build and manage resources and armies in order to defeat their opponents.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) These are team-based games such as Dota 2 and League of Legends, where players assume the role of a hero and must work together to defeat the opposing team.
Fighting Games These are fast-paced, one-on-one games such as Street Fighter and Tekken, where players must defeat their opponent using special moves and attacks.
Sports Games These are games such as FIFA and NBA 2K, where players assume the role of a professional athlete and must compete against each other in simulated sporting events.
Popular Esports Games
There are many popular esports games to choose from, each with its own unique style and gameplay. Some of the most popular esports games include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Dota 2, League of Legends (LoL), Overwatch, StarCraft II, and Fortnite.
CS:GO is a team-based FPS game, where two teams of five players compete against each other in a variety of game modes. It is one of the most popular esports games and has been played professionally since 2013.
Dota 2 is a MOBA game, where two teams of five players must work together to destroy the opposing team’s base. It is one of the most popular esports games and has been played professionally since 2011.
League of Legends is another popular MOBA game, where two teams of five players must work together to defeat the opposing team. It is one of the most popular esports games and has been played professionally since 2009.
Overwatch is a team-based FPS game, where two teams of six players compete against each other in a variety of game modes. It is one of the most popular esports games and has been played professionally since 2017.
StarCraft II is a real-time strategy game, where two players must build and manage armies in order to defeat their opponent. It is one of the most popular esports games and has been played professionally since 2010.
Finally, Fortnite is a battle royale game, where up to 100 players compete against each other in a last-man-standing deathmatch. It is one of the most popular esports games and has been played professionally since 2018.
Esports Events
Esports tournaments are organised by a variety of organisations, from large corporations to smaller gaming clubs. These tournaments are usually held in large arenas, where teams of professional gamers compete against each other for prize money, fame, and recognition.
The most popular esports events include the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM), the DreamHack series, and the ESL Pro League. The IEM is an annual tournament organised by Intel, which features a variety of esports games such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and StarCraft II. The DreamHack series is a series of tournaments organised by DreamHack, which feature a variety of esports games. Finally, the ESL Pro League is an annual tournament organised by ESL, which features a variety of esports games such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends.
Esports Teams
Esports teams are composed of professional gamers, who compete in esports tournaments for prize money, fame, and recognition. These teams are usually sponsored by large corporations, and they compete in a variety of esports games such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends.
Some of the most popular esports teams include Astralis, Team Liquid, Fnatic, FaZe Clan, and Ninjas in Pyjamas. Astralis is a Danish esports team, which competes in CS:GO and Dota 2. Team Liquid is an American esports team, which competes in CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends. Fnatic is a British esports team, which competes in CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends. FaZe Clan is an American esports team, which competes in CS:GO, Dota 2, and Fortnite. Finally, Ninjas in Pyjamas is a Swedish esports team, which competes in CS:GO and Dota 2.
Benefits of Esports
Esports has many benefits for gamers and spectators alike. For gamers, it provides an opportunity to compete and display their skills in a competitive environment. It also allows gamers to make connections with other gamers and develop their social skills.
For spectators, esports provides an exciting and entertaining viewing experience. It also allows spectators to make connections with professional gamers and teams, and follow their progress and achievements.
Esports Betting
Esports betting is a form of gambling, where players bet on the outcome of an esports match or tournament. This is usually done through online betting sites, which allow players to place bets on a variety of esports games such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends.
Esports betting can be a fun and exciting way to make money, but it is important to remember that it is a form of gambling and should be treated as such. It is important to only bet what you can afford to lose and to make sure that you do your research before placing any bets.
Esports Tournaments
Esports tournaments are large-scale events, which feature some of the best professional gamers in the world. These tournaments are organised by a variety of organisations, from large corporations to smaller gaming clubs.
The most popular esports tournaments include the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM), the DreamHack series, and the ESL Pro League. These tournaments feature a variety of esports games such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends, and they usually offer large prize pools and a lot of media coverage.
Esports Organizations
Esports organisations are companies, which manage and operate professional esports teams and tournaments. These organisations are usually sponsored by large corporations, and they manage teams of professional gamers in a variety of esports games.
Some of the most popular esports organisations include Astralis, Team Liquid, Fnatic, FaZe Clan, and Ninjas in Pyjamas. These organisations manage some of the best professional gamers in the world, and they compete in a variety of esports games such as CS:GO, Dota 2, and League of Legends.
Esports Streaming Platforms
Esports streaming platforms are websites, which allow gamers to stream their gameplay for a live audience. Platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Mixer allow gamers to share their gaming experiences with a wider audience, and they also allow viewers to watch their favourite esports teams and players.
These streaming platforms are also becoming increasingly popular with viewers, as they allow them to follow their favourite teams and players, and watch the best esports moments live.
Conclusion
Esports is a rapidly growing industry, and it is estimated that the global esports market will be worth over $1.4 billion by 2021. From professional tournaments to streaming platforms, there are many ways to get involved in the exciting world of esports. Whether you are a gamer looking to compete or a spectator looking to watch, there is something for everyone in the world of esports.
So, if you are looking to get involved in esports, make sure to check out the various esports tournaments, teams, and streaming platforms. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and have fun in the exciting world of esports!