Esports, also known as competitive gaming, has been growing rapidly in popularity. New streaming services such as Twitch have made it easier for anyone to follow the action. Viewers can now watch esports competitions live, online, and on demand. As a result, the industry is booming, with new players, sponsors, and media rights deals coming in regularly.
In addition, several leagues and organizations now offer different types of esports games and tournaments. If you’re interested in learning more about this fast-growing industry, keep reading for a beginner’s guide to esports.
What is Esports?
Esports is the term used to describe competitive gaming, also known as pro gaming or professional gaming. At the professional level, gamers compete against each other in various games, such as Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch, etc. The games played in esports competitions vary depending on what’s popular at the time. Since the rise of the internet, esports has become increasingly popular, not only amongst gamers but also amongst people outside of the gaming community.
In the last few years, esports has become a billion-dollar industry with stadiums dedicated to hosting live tournaments and online streaming that brings the action to fans worldwide. With the rise of esports, many people have started to wonder what makes this form of entertainment so appealing. There are several reasons why esports has grown in popularity, but the main ones are:
Why Are Esports So Popular?
What makes esports so different from other sports is that it can be played at any age, any time, anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you don’t live in a sports-oriented country since you can still play competitive games online against other people from around the world. Another factor to remember is that esports is much cheaper than traditional sports. You don’t need expensive equipment, incredible weather, or ample space to play video games. You only need a computer, a good internet connection, and a few friends to play competitively.
How to Bet on Esports
If you’re interested in sports betting online for esports, you have plenty of options. While you can find some esports betting sites in the US, you’ll have a better selection of games and betting options if you choose a site in another country. If you’re looking to bet on esports, you should first decide which type of games you want to focus on. There are several esports games, each with betting types and odds. You can also find betting sites specializing in any game. There are several things to remember when choosing an esports betting site. First, it’s essential to find out if the site accepts players from your country. You also want to make sure that the site has a good reputation.
How to Watch Esports Online
If you’re new to esports, you’ll probably wonder where to start. There are several ways you can watch esports online. One option is to visit an esports website, like the ones listed below. If you find the right website, you’ll have access to live streams and on-demand videos of previous matches. Usually, the more popular the website, the more content you’ll find there. Some websites also offer news articles related to esports competitions, player interviews, and other information related to the scene.
If you want to watch esports online, you can also find channels dedicated to competitive gaming on streaming services like Twitch and Mixer. These two streaming services were created for esports and gaming content in general. You can see both professional and amateur competitions and tournaments on these platforms. Twitch, in particular, has taken off in recent years, with many streamers broadcasting their gameplay to an audience. You can also watch esports on YouTube, although there is less focus on competitive gaming content.
Types of Games in Esports
Several games fall into the esports category, such as first-person shooters, MOBAs, real-time strategy games, sports games, fighting games, and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games. First-person shooters (FPS) have been among esports’ most popular game types since the early 2000s. FPS games have been around for a long time, and they’ve always been very competitive. Some of esports’ most popular FPS games are Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), Halo, and Overwatch. Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games are also top-rated in esports.
The most popular MOBA games are, without a doubt, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Smite. MOBA games are very strategic and team-oriented, so they’re great for viewers who like to focus on the tactics being used by the players. Real-time strategy (RTS) games are also prevalent in esports. RTS games are generally slower and require more focus from players. Some of the most popular RTS games in esports are StarCraft II and Warcraft 3.
Sports games are also a big part of esports. While most people think about FIFA regarding sports games, the NBA 2K series is also very competitive. Some of esports’ most played sports games are FIFA, NBA 2K, and Madden. Fighting games are another type of game that is included in esports. Popular fighting games in esports are Super Smash Bros., Mortal Kombat, Soul Calibur, and Super Smash Bros.
Major League Gaming (MLG)
Major League Gaming (MLG) is a company that organizes esports competitions. MLG mainly focuses on first-person shooter (FPS) games, such as Halo, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Overwatch. However, the company hosts several tournaments throughout the year for different games, bringing together the best players worldwide. As a spectator, you can watch MLG tournaments live or on-demand through MLG’s website. In addition to hosting their own tournaments, MLG hosts contests for several games, like Overwatch, League of Legends, and Halo. If you want to watch MLG tournaments, you can visit the website or watch them through a streaming service like Twitch or Mixer.
Dota 2 and other MOBA Games
MOBA games are among the most popular in esports, and the most played game in esports is also a MOBA game, Dota 2. Other popular MOBA games in esports are League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, Smite, and Defense of the Ancients (DOTA). MOBA games are more strategic than FPS games, and they require a lot more team cooperation, making the games more exciting to watch.
If you’re new to esports, you might want to start watching MOBA games since they’re a bit slower than FPS games. MOBA games are played in what’s known as the “arena,” which is a virtual space where players enter and control their characters from. In the arena, two teams, consisting of five players each, face each other and must destroy the other team’s “main.” Doing so wins the match for the team.
Halo and FIFA Soccer Games
Halo is another popular esports game. It’s a first-person shooter game that’s especially popular amongst the American audience. FIFA Soccer is another game that has a massive following in esports. The game is played by two teams of 11 players who face each other on a virtual pitch. The teams must score as many goals as possible while preventing their opponents from scoring.
Conclusion
Esports has come a long way since it first gained popularity in the early 2000s. Nowadays, esports has become a prevalent form of entertainment where you can watch your favorite games being played competitively by the best players in the world. If you’re interested in following esports, there are several websites and streaming services where you can find live tournaments and videos of past games. In addition, you can also bet on esports if you feel like betting on esports is something you’re interested in.
