The popularity of video games is unparalleled. Back in the 90s, this went from a casual hobby to an organized professional sport, with competitions popping up all over the world. This created a whole new genre of sports called electronic sports or esports. Today, the industry is on its path to reach a $4.8 billion value, with a viewership that runs in millions and is broadcast on most major sporting platforms.
Understanding esports
One of the most common questions is, “What is esports?”. Simply put, esports is a common term for many leagues, tournaments, and competitions where individuals and teams compete for money, fame, and/or entertainment. Other names, such as competitive gaming, organized play, e-gaming, or pro-gaming, may also refer to it. These competitions can be played at any level and are generally used to create content via live streaming or broadcasts.
The main people involved in esports are the publishers, tournament organizers, esports teams that employ players to participate on their behalf, professional and amateur players, and the audience.
Some of the top esports games include League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valorant, Dota 2, Brawl Stars, Tekken 8, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone.
Benefits of esports
The rise in popularity of esports can largely be attributed to the benefits it offers.
Building community
Esports offer individuals of all ages a chance to connect with others and form new friendships. Individuals can use this inclusive platform, whether it’s in team events or as rivalries, to build their community, giving them a sense of belonging.
Social-emotional learning
Players have the opportunity to develop their social and emotional skills when participating in esports. This can be achieved at various levels, such as establishing teams, offering mentorship, and fostering collaboration among team members to achieve a mutual goal. They also learn to adapt to changes quickly and try new strategies to win through these gaming competitions.
Video games can increase decision-making, processing, and perceptual skills. They can also enhance multitasking and help individuals stay sharp.
Convenience
Unlike regular sports, individuals do not have to leave the comfort of their own homes to practice or get better at video games. This allows many with busy schedules and mobility issues to level up on their own time and participate in competitions as and when possible.
Careers in esports
According to certain market analysis companies, esports is set to demonstrate an annual growth rate of 5.54% to reach a market volume of $5.9 billion by 2029, making it a rather lucrative opportunity for many demographics. This is why esports can be a great source of income for a lot of individuals. Like other avenues, there are many roles to choose from, each with its own unique salary range. That said, gamers must consistently win to take this up as a career path.
Gamers can earn anywhere from $12,000 to $187,200 annually from tournaments and competitions alone. Taking up sponsorships and branding projects can further increase this figure.
They can also take up other roles, such as esports coordinator and manager. According to some estimates, coordinators earn anywhere from $42,000 to $67,000 annually, while managers earn between $53,000 and $136,000 annually.
Esports v/s traditional sports
Esports differ from traditional sports in a few key aspects.
Physical activity
Traditional sports require a lot of physical strength and stamina, while esports requires mental acuity and fine motor skills.
Skills required
Although both types of competitions require a lot of dedication and discipline, the end goal is quite different. As a result, stamina, coordination, and agility are essential requirements for traditional sports. Conversely, esports depend more on strategy, decision-making, creativity, and communication.
Platforms
This one may sound obvious, but both require a different type of setup. While esports are played on digital platforms like PCs and gaming consoles, traditional sports are played on courts, grounds, or fields.
Accessibility
Physical capabilities are a major requirement in most traditional sports. Esports help break down these barriers, as players typically do not require physical prowess and agility.
Longevity
While both traditional and esports present lucrative career opportunities, age can be a limiting factor for one of them. In most traditional sports, players tend to retire in their 30s and 40s and take on other roles. In esports, though, this is not necessary so long as players stay in touch with developing technologies and game updates.
Income
Since traditional sports are better established, they offer more stable sources of income. These include regular salaries, contracts, sponsorships, and endorsements. This income can vary greatly with esports, depending on factors such as prize money, streaming, donations, and merchandising.
Future of the esports industry
It’s no secret that esports is a growing industry in the country. Given this popularity, experts have made some predictions regarding the future of the esports industry.
- There will be a boom in scholastic e-sports opportunities, including high school and varsity esports leagues and programs.
- Women’s participation in esports will increase exponentially.
- Esports may also enter global sporting events such as the Olympics as soon as 2028.
- Mobile and VR gaming will gain more traction in the coming years.