Esports is a growing industry that involves video game competitions. These competitions are played for money and prestige. The sport is becoming more popular, even reaching high school levels. Major media networks are beginning to broadcast esports events and traditional sports leagues are starting to sponsor tournaments. There are even plans to make esports varsity sports.
esports is a video game competition
Esports is a growing industry that is transforming the way video games are played and enjoyed. Many popular games now have professional tournaments, which draw huge crowds and pay well. The world’s top esports teams are ranked according to their skill in a particular game. Prize money for esports events can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The first esports competitions occurred in the mid-’90s. A tournament called Red Annihilation Quake was held in 1997, and Dennis “Thresh” Fong was crowned winner and received a Ferrari 328 owned by id Software CEO John Carmack. In the same year, the game received considerable support in South Korea, and Major League Gaming even broadcast its first television show, Halo 2. However, esports did not gain popularity in the United States until after 2007, when the first major esports events were held.
It is played for money and prestige
Esports, or video games played for money, first came into existence in the ’90s, when professional gaming tournaments were held by Nintendo and Sega. This was the first time money was an important factor in gaming. The Red Annihilation Quake tournament was considered the first esports event, and featured 200 players, including the lead developer of Quake’s Ferrari. In the ’90s, the first major esports organization was formed. In this decade, a league of professional gamers called the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) was formed.
Esports organizations usually field competitive teams in multiple video games. One of the largest such organizations is Team Liquid, which organizes tournaments in the most popular video game titles. Teams in these tournaments compete against one another in different divisions. Popular eSports games include Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch. All of these games are competitive and exciting to watch.
It is becoming a varsity level sport at the high school level
Esports are rapidly becoming popular in the high school and college level. The growing popularity of esports has led to the establishment of third-party organizations, such as the American Collegiate Esports League and the Electronic Gaming Federation. Schools are eager to join these organizations and list esports as a varsity sport.
High schools across the country are making the transition to esports as a varsity sport. A recent announcement from King University announced the formation of a varsity esports team in 2018. King University has a long history of supporting underserved sports and plans to compete in League of Legends in its inaugural season.
It is a growing industry
The eSports industry is growing at a rapid pace, with people of all ages watching competitive gaming tournaments online. It has become a legitimate spectator sport, with professional teams competing for massive prize pools. Gamers invest large amounts of time in their game skills, thinking through various scenarios and calculating their responses to different situations. Many teams have analysts, live coaches, and other support personnel.
Several brands have recognized the popularity of esports and are investing in it. In fact, 77% of the total $906 million in esports revenues in 2018 were generated by direct investments such as sponsorships, advertising, and media rights. Other revenue sources include game publisher fees, merchandising, and tickets.
It is a mixed sport
Esports is a popular game played by people of all ages and genders. While there are no separate teams for men and women, the number of female participants has increased in recent years. Almost one in every 20 gamers is a woman. Professional esports players are highly trained and skilled individuals who know the rules of their game inside and out. They have coaches and analysts who help them come up with effective strategies to win.
Esports games have been a controversial subject for some. They have raised questions about symbolism and optics. IOC President Thomas Bach has stated that games that portray violence are incompatible with the values of sport. However, there are fifteen events in the Olympic Games that include guns. This raises concerns about the narratives of esports games.
