Electronic sports (otherwise known as “eSports”) refers to competitive video gaming whereby players (both professional and amateur) belonging in teams compete against each other in different leagues and tournaments hosted around the world.
Esports comprise many games, both popular and under the radar, in numerous genres. You like shooters? You can pop some caps in a rival playing Counter-Strike: Global: Offensive. In the mood for a battle royale of epic proportions? PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has got you covered. Into sports? In a merging of the two worlds, the NBA and Take-Two Interactive—publisher of the super-popular NBA 2K video game series—partnered to create the NBA 2K eLeague. In the esports world, there’s a video game, and related scene, for everyone.
Maybe there’s too much choice. There are so many video games on the market with a competitive, multiplayer focus that getting started in playing, or simply watching, professional video gaming may prove intimidating. Fortunately, this guide to the best esports games is designed to gently nudge you in the right direction. After all, every game going after that sweet esports money isn’t worth your time. And there are a whole lot of those.
The eSports community is growing, and there are no signs of it stopping. As people sought entertainment and interaction under strict travel restrictions and lockdowns, many have picked up gaming as a hobby. The stage for competitive video gaming has since expanded as audiences grew and gaming became a profitable income stream.
a Sample of Esports event
2022-2023 Le Mans Virtual Series
Venues: Sakhir, Bahrain; Monza, Italy; Spa, Belgium; Sebring, USA; and online
Dates: September 17, 2022 (Round 1);
October 8, 2022 (Round 2);
November 5, 2022 (Round 3);
December 3, 2022 (Round 4);
January 14, 2023 (Round 5)
The renowned Esports endurance series comes back with a five-round tour for the 2022/23 Le Mans Virtual Series. It is the second installment of five seasons of endurance racing. The first Le Mans Virtual season began in September 2021 and concluded in February 2022. Teams from different motorsport and esports competitions are invited by the selection committee to enter the race.
The 2022/23 Le Mans Virtual Series kicked off at the race tracks of Sakhir, Bahrain, on September 17, 2022. The finale will be held at the Le Mans Virtual racing circuit on January 14, 2023, where drivers will be racing for 24 hours, vying for the championship title and their share of the $250,000 prize fund.
2022 Asia Pacific Predator League Grand Finals
Venue: Japan
Dates: November 11-13, 2022
Powered by Intel, Predator Gaming, and Planet 9, the 2022 Asia Pacific Predator League makes its grand in-person return in Japan. This year’s event will witness teams from 15 countries showcase their expertise in Dota 2 and PUBG: Battlegrounds. The prize pool for both tournaments is $400,000. Winners also get to bring home product packages from Acer, such as the APAC Predator League Shield and Predator gaming products.
Esports tech – what is it about?
Technology is essential in esports because all esports games are video games. Consumers must use electronic devices to play and watch esports games. Further, advanced technologies affect diverse aspects of the esports industry and research. For example, monitoring and securing financial transactions have been essential in the growth of esports, and industry practitioners have found solutions in new technologies.
Given that esports consumers are gamers, and esports gameplay consumption may lead to other types of consumption, the technology acceptance approach to esports consumers’ gameplay behaviors needs to focus on esports consumption. Thus, individuals who have no experience with esports gameplay may watch and follow esports-related broadcasts rarely.
High-definition graphics are crucial for spectating esports
When it comes to online games, graphics can make or break a game’s chances of being a hit. The graphics in games used to be pretty rudimentary with either low-quality 3D graphics or simple pixel-based sprites. Compared to modern games, early video games can look like a completely different medium. But as technology has improved, video game graphics have progressed to a whole new level. Now models and textures can be extremely high-resolution with incredibly complex animation. The graphics of today’s games are so lifelike that it can be difficult to discern the difference between digital games and real life gaming. For example, it’s easy to watch someone play FIFA and mistake it for an actual soccer match.
Faster internet connections means more access to esports games
The availability of high-speed internet is another aspect that has helped the esports sector develop faster. Fast connections have made competitive multiplayer games like Halo and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive work better and improve the overall user experience. An esports-related advancement in internet connection is currently ongoing with the arrival of 5G networks. New internet standards will help mobile esports compete against their console and PC counterparts.
In the late 1900s and early 2000s, a standard internet connection wasn’t good enough for gaming. When players used a dial-up modem to play World of Warcraft, for example, there would be a lot of lag,making it difficult to play. However, the game becomes more fluid with a faster internet connection. Also, better worldwide connections have led to more individuals watching esports worldwide. Aspiring esports pros also have access to more competition thanks to the rising speed of the internet.
Technology and esports go hand in hand
The increasing commercialization of esports has attracted numerous firms to the industry. Technological advancements have driven esports’ growth throughout the years, including tech ventures like Weaver, which used AI, 8K, VR, AR, and other technologies to provide esports fans with new ways to watch.
Developments in technology, such as the rise of streaming and improved connections, have been a critical element of the sector’s growth. However, investment from firms has also been a driving force behind the proliferation of competitive gaming.
Undoubtedly, there will be further innovations and technologies in the future. Technology will continue to improve esports throughout time, whether through new services, improved game design, graphics, artificial intelligence, or whatever exciting advancement comes next.