ESports is an umbrella term for video games played at competitive level. These competitions have been around for years, but their growth has been exploding in the past few years. The industry is predicted to reach over $1 billion by 2021 and 1.8 billion by 2022.
Games range from solo to team-based. They are usually played on a computer or mobile device. Many are available to play on consoles, but PCs and laptops also have great games to offer.
While esports is a fun pastime, there are serious risks involved. For example, developers can shut down online games to cut monetary losses. Some governments have recognized the esports industry’s potential as a means of development.
Professional teams usually have a coach or analyst to guide the players through the game. Some esports titles include the League of Legends and Call of Duty. Players can earn a decent amount of money through sponsorships. Those who are highly skilled need to work hard to keep their income rolling in.
Fans have the opportunity to watch live esports matches and tournaments. Usually these are live streamed on a digital platform such as Twitch. However, there are also live physical events.
Esports have become a huge draw for fans and brands. The League of Legends World Championship peaked at 44 million simultaneous viewers. In the United States, the esports industry is projected to reach more than 1 billion dollars by 2020. Newzoo reports that 252 million occasional viewers are watching esports.