Esports, short for electronic sports, are a competitive video game genre that attracts a huge global audience. The genre has taken off in recent years and is now a profitable industry. As gaming becomes more mainstream, it will continue to grow.
There are many similarities between eSport and traditional athletics. In both cases, athletes work hard and spend countless hours mastering their sport. However, there are also differences. While traditional sports involve physical pain and exertion, eSport requires a lot of mental labor. Also, since it’s an entertainment sport, it doesn’t require the same physical safety requirements as traditional sports.
Another difference is the way eSport players are recruited. Instead of hiring prototypical athletes, eSport teams hire a mix of students. This makes it more attractive to students who aren’t athletically inclined. It also helps build relationships among diverse populations. Many eSports athletes train for 14 hours a day.
Esports have also become popular with young fans. Most esports enthusiasts are young males between 18 and 34. Some of these fans are willing to travel to watch their favorite games. Additionally, esports has been found to be just as popular with American millennials as baseball and ice hockey.
Esports have gained popularity over the last decade thanks to the rise of video game streaming platforms and live events. As such, many major corporations are now sponsoring and supporting eSport events. These sponsorships include advertisers and major partners.
Esports fans typically skew male, with 63% of those surveyed being between the ages of 18 and 34. However, esports have also become popular with women. Women make up 38% of the esports fan base. Currently, only about half of viewers actually play the games they’re watching.
Esports competitions range from local tournaments to international tournaments. These tournaments often draw large crowds. For example, the League of Legends Championship sold out the 15,000-seat Los Angeles Staples Center in an hour. And the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational was watched by 60 million people online.
Esports is also becoming popular in college campuses. Over 50 colleges have varsity eSports teams, while 22 colleges offer scholarships to students interested in gaming. Moreover, eSports teams have been established on high schools throughout the US.
One of the most appealing aspects of eSports is the potential to create infinitely scalable games. In addition to being an entertaining activity, eSports offer players the opportunity to develop social skills. When they play together in a shared space, they create a community and establish friendships.
Esports have become a big business and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. Major brands sponsor eSports events and teams and operators are paid by distributors for the right to broadcast. The global esports audience is estimated at 385 million in 2017, according to Newzoo.
Esports is expected to reach $700 million in revenue in 2017 and $1.5 billion in 2020. It’s a fast-growing industry that offers great opportunities for both players and fans.
