Esports has become one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. The global esports market is projected to generate revenue of $1.08 billion in 2021. The esports industry is dominated by a few top games, including League of Legends, Dota 2, Overwatch, and Fortnite. These games are popular due to their accessibility, complexity, and competitive nature. Each game has its unique features and strengths, attracting millions of fans around the world. The competitive scenes for these games are organized by the game developers and feature significant prize pools, attracting the best professional players from around the world.
Breaking Down the Top Esports Games: From League of Legends to Dota 2, Overwatch and Beyond
Introduction
In recent years, esports has become one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. A report by Newzoo projects that the global esports market will generate revenue of $1.08 billion in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 14.5%. The esports industry is dominated by a few top games that attract the most viewers and professional players. This article will break down the top esports games and what makes them so popular.
League of Legends
League of Legends (LoL) is the most popular esports game. It was released in 2009 by Riot Games and has since become the most played PC game in the world. In LoL, two teams of five players each battle to destroy the enemy’s Nexus, a structure located at the heart of their base. The game is won by the team that destroys the enemy’s Nexus first.
One of the reasons for the game’s popularity is its accessibility. The game is free to play, and anyone with a computer can download it and start playing. Additionally, the game’s design is such that it is easy to pick up but difficult to master, giving players a sense of progression as they improve their skills.
LoL’s competitive scene is also a significant factor in its popularity. Riot Games organizes the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and other regional competitions. The LCS features the best professional teams from around the world competing for prize money and bragging rights. In 2020, the LCS had a prize pool of over $30 million.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is another extremely popular esports game. It was released in 2013 by Valve Corporation and is a sequel to Defense of the Ancients, a popular mod for Warcraft III. In Dota 2, two teams of five players each compete to destroy the enemy team’s Ancient, a structure located at the heart of their base. The game is won by the team that destroys the enemy Ancient first.
Dota 2 is known for its complexity, with over 100 playable heroes, each with its unique set of abilities. The game also features a deep item system that allows players to customize their heroes’ abilities and play styles.
The competitive scene for Dota 2 is organized by Valve Corporation and features The International, an annual tournament with a prize pool of over $30 million. The International attracts the best professional teams from around the world and is considered one of the most prestigious events in esports.
Overwatch
Overwatch is a team-based first-person shooter game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released in 2016 and quickly became a popular esports game. In Overwatch, two teams of six players each compete to complete objectives on a map or prevent the other team from completing their objectives.
One of the factors that make Overwatch popular is its diverse cast of playable heroes. Each hero has its unique abilities and play style, which allows for a lot of strategic depth in the game. Additionally, the game’s bright, colorful art style has helped make it accessible to a broader audience.
The competitive scene for Overwatch is organized by Blizzard Entertainment and features the Overwatch League, a franchised league with teams from around the world. The Overwatch League has a prize pool of $5 million and features some of the best professional players in the world.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a battle royale game developed by Epic Games. It was released in 2017 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. In Fortnite, 100 players drop onto an island and compete to be the last player or team standing.
One of the factors that make Fortnite so popular is its accessibility. The game is free to play and available on multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, and mobile devices. Additionally, Fortnite’s unique building mechanic allows players to construct structures on the fly, adding a new layer of strategy to the game.
The competitive scene for Fortnite is organized by Epic Games and features the Fortnite World Cup, a tournament with a prize pool of over $30 million. The World Cup features players from around the world competing for the title of the best Fortnite player in the world.
Conclusion
Esports has quickly become a significant part of the global entertainment industry, and the popularity of these top esports games shows no signs of slowing down. The accessibility, complexity, and competitive nature of these games are just a few of the reasons why they have captured the attention of millions of fans around the world. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore fan, there’s never been a better time to get involved in esports.