Esports has become a significant industry, with millions of viewers and massive prize pools. The most popular esports games for 2021 include League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and Fortnite. League of Legends and Dota 2 are MOBA games with dedicated fan bases and dramatic prize pools, while Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Fortnite have competitive first-person shooter and battle royale formats, respectively. Professional teams compete in these games’ major leagues and tournaments, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch. While Fortnite has a younger demographic than other games, it has a massive following and has become a cultural phenomenon.
Dissecting the Most Popular Esports Games of 2021
Introduction
Esports has rapidly grown in popularity over the past few years, with the pandemic accelerating its growth even further. With professional teams, huge prize pools, and millions of viewers tuning in to watch tournaments, esports has become a legitimate industry.
League of Legends
League of Legends (LoL) is one of the most popular esports games, with a consistent player base and a thriving esports scene. LoL is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where two teams of five players battle it out to destroy their opponents’ base.
Professional League of Legends teams, such as Team SoloMid and Cloud9, participate in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and compete for a prize pool of over $1 million. The game has garnered a massive following, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the annual League of Legends World Championship.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a first-person shooter game where two teams, Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists, battle it out to complete objectives or eliminate the opposing team. The game has been popular for years, with a dedicated fan base and numerous professional teams.
Professional CS:GO teams participate in tournaments such as the ESL Pro League and the Intel Extreme Masters, competing for prize pools of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The game has become a staple in the esports industry, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch major tournaments.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is another MOBA game that has a thriving esports scene. Two teams of five players compete to destroy their opponent’s base in a complex and strategic game. Dota 2’s prize pools have reached extraordinary amounts, with the annual Dota 2 International tournament offering over $30 million in 2021.
Professional Dota 2 teams, such as Evil Geniuses and OG, participate in tournaments such as the Dota Pro Circuit and compete for large prize pools. Dota 2 has a dedicated fan base, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch international tournaments.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a battle royale game where 100 players battle it out to be the last one standing. The game’s popularity skyrocketed in 2017, and it has become a staple in the gaming industry. Fortnite’s esports scene is still developing, but Epic Games has recently introduced the Fortnite Champion Series, offering prize pools for players and teams.
Professional Fortnite players, such as Ninja and Tfue, participate in tournaments such as the Fortnite World Cup and compete for millions of dollars in prizes. Fortnite has a younger demographic compared to other esports games, but it has a massive following and has become a cultural phenomenon.
Conclusion
Esports has become a legitimate industry, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch professional players compete for massive prize pools. League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and Fortnite are some of the most popular esports games of 2021. These games have dedicated fan bases and thriving esports scenes, making them some of the most exciting games to watch and play.