The gaming industry landscape is constantly changing and evolving, and the players at the top of the industry come and go, but a select few remain ever-steadfast. These titans of gaming have been able to make their mark in a multitude of ways, especially within the realm of esports, and to this day continue to shape the industry. Let’s take a look at these gaming industry titans, examine how they’ve made their mark on esports, and find out what other contributions they may be making to the industry as a whole.
1. The Gaming Industry Revolution: Esports and Beyond
In recent years, the gaming industry has seen a major revolution in the form of esports. Millions of viewers worldwide tune in to watch competitive gaming tournaments. It is estimated that the industry will see a 42% growth in terms of revenue within the next four years.
One major contributing factor to this success is the sheer variety of game types available. Esports tournaments span a range of genres from first-person shooters to real-time strategy games. Some of the most popular esports games include:
- League of Legends
- Counter Strike: Global Offensive
- Dota 2
- Hearthstone
In addition to the games themselves, competitive gamers have also seen an emergence in terms of professional teams. These teams usually consist of five to seven players who compete in organized tournaments for large cash prizes. The gaming industry has also seen a rise in terms of sponsors, with some of the most well-known brands offering financial support to professional players.
As the industry continues to evolve, we are seeing other forms of gaming become increasingly popular. Mobile gaming, which has been around for years, is gaining momentum. The rise of augmented reality gaming is also a noteworthy development.
Esports and the gaming industry more generally have revolutionized entertainment in recent years – and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
2. Esports: Building the Titans of the Gaming Industry
Esports – also known as electronic sports – is the new world of gaming. Across the globe, millions of avid players and fans are taking on the challenge of becoming one of the top achievers in the gaming world. Whether it’s staging tournaments for cash prizes, or streaming their own gaming achievements online, a new generation of gaming hopefuls are springing up in every corner of the world.
Leading the charge are the esports tycoons – power players who are fast gaining worldwide recognition. For many, this means fame, prize money and an audience eager to watch their progress. The top esports players are now setting records, developing followings, and making waves in the gaming industry.
So why are aspiring gamers turning to esports? There are several reasons:
- Competition: With the potential to win huge cash prizes, the competition is a major draw to players. Competitions and tournaments are now regularly hosted by a variety of organizations – from small businesses to the biggest Internet giants.
- Rewards and Recognition: Esports players who make it to the top can expect to reap serious rewards for their efforts. Famous gaming teams are signing gamers to represent them. Top teams and players enjoy world-wide fame, prize money and endorsements.
- Networking: Nowadays there is no shortage of websites tailored to gaming and connecting gamers. Even the biggest, most prestigious esports tournaments now have their own dedicated streaming websites. This allows gamers to collaborate and interact in the same virtual world.
As the esports scene continues to develop and expand, gamers can look forward to continued growth in opportunities to connect with and compete against each other. To stay ahead of the competition, gamers need to cultivate their skills and stay at the forefront of gaming technology.
So, if you’re one of the aspiring gamers who are driven to become the titan of the esports world, now is the time to hone your playing skills. The gaming industry is ready and waiting for the next batch of esports stars, with rewards to those who can make it to the top.
3. The Widening Universe of Esports
Esports, or electronic sports, is no longer the niche entertainment that it once was. With an ongoing increase in viewership, investments, and professional players, the esports industry is bigger than ever.
To get an understanding of the sheer size of the esports industry, one need look no further than the Esports Earnings website. At the time of writing, the website reports that professional esports players have earned a combined amount of $173,545,318 across 5273 tournaments. In addition, with both traditional sports and esports players alike taking part in these tournaments, the industry is quickly becoming of interest to more avid fans.
Going beyond the commercial success of the industry, it is also important to note the various genres of games that esports encompass. With the ever-growing list of games that comprise esports competitions, viewers and players alike can find something for everyone. These genres include:
- First-Person Shooters (FPS), such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and Halo.
- MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena), such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm.
- Fighting Games, such as Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros., and Tekken.
- Real-Time Strategy Games (RTS), such as Starcraft, Warcraft, and Command & Conquer.
In addition to these traditional genres, the esports industry also includes popular games such as Fortnite, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, and Apex Legends. As esports continues to grow in terms of popularity, more and more traditional sports are being adapted for the esports arena. These include titles such as the NBA 2K League, eNASCAR Heat Pro League, and the world of eFIFA.
Esports is a quickly expanding form of entertainment, and its ever-widening universe promises to keep viewers, players, and companies alike occupied for the foreseeable future.
4. The Future of Esports: Uncharted Territory Ahead
The future of Esports is an uncharted territory filled with vast potential for expansion. The groundbreaking growth of Esports, within the last decade, has been astounding. There are now millions of people worldwide engaged in professional Esports and there is potential for even more growth. Here we outline four areas which may impact the future of Esports:
- Viewership: Audience numbers for Esports are rapidly growing and show no signs of slowing down. It is estimated that by 2021 , viewership of Esports will reach over 500 million viewers.
- Sports Betting: With the growing popularity of Esports, betting on these events is sure to follow. Currently, many sports gambling platforms are looking into offering gambling on Esports to meet demand.
- Sponsorship: Esports is rapidly becoming an attractive proposition for potential sponsors. This is because professional Esports tournaments are broadcasted on television and social media networks, reaching large and diverse audiences.
- Game Releases and Streams: Top gaming platform publishers like Steam and Riot Games are constantly releasing new digital content and updates for competitive play. This offers gamers the chance to engage with exciting new content and potentially join or host their own Esports tournaments.
It is apparent that Esports is a burgeoning industry with limitless potential. With each successful year, new opportunities are created for Esports organizations and fans. The future of Esports may still be unclear, but what is certain is that it is thriving and the possibilities ahead are endless.
The future looks bright for gaming as the industry continues to evolve and expand beyond the world of esports. With big-name companies and inventive startups making their mark, it appears that the competition is far from over for the gaming industry titans.
