Esports is growing at an exponential rate and is expected to continue to do so in the future. Games played in esports competitions have become more diverse, with mobile games such as PUBG mobile, Arena of Valor, and Mobile Legends becoming popular. Traditional esports games like League of Legends and Overwatch remain popular due to their complex gameplay. Prize pools in esports tournaments continue to increase, attracting high-quality competitors worldwide. Esports is becoming more mainstream, with competitions broadcast on major networks and esports players gaining celebrity status. Efforts are being made to address inclusivity issues, and virtual and augmented reality technologies have the potential to revolutionize the industry.
The Future of Esports: Predictions and Trends to Watch
Esports has come a long way since its inception. From being a niche activity to a billion-dollar industry, esports has taken the world by storm. With its increasing popularity, it’s no surprise that esports is growing at an exponential rate, and we can expect more exciting developments in the industry in the future.
Trending Esports Games
As esports continues to grow, the games played in these competitions have become increasingly diverse. With the rise in mobile gaming, we are seeing games such as PUBG mobile, Arena of Valor, and Mobile Legends become popular in esports. These games are easily accessible, and the majority of the players can use their mobile devices to compete in esports tournaments.
On the other hand, traditional esports games like League of Legends, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are still thriving. These games have remained popular due to their complex and intense gameplay, which appeals to dedicated esports fans.
Increasing Prize Pools
The prize pools in esports tournaments continue to increase, with the industry’s growth. In 2020, The International Dota 2 Championship had its highest prize pool to date, exceeding $34 million. This is proof of the increasing fan support and sponsorship that the esports industry is attracting.
Esports tournaments with large prize pools can attract high-quality competitors worldwide, hence, increasing the level of gameplay and competition. The trend of increasing prize pools is expected to continue, and we can expect to see new records in the future.
Esports Becoming More Mainstream
The increasing popularity of esports has led it to become more mainstream. Esports competitions are now broadcasted on television, with live coverage on major networks such as ESPN, BBC and Sky Sports. With this exposure, esports has now become part of the larger sports conversation and has made its way to sports betting sites worldwide.
Esports players are also starting to gain celebrity status, and some are treated in the same way as traditional sports players. They are now being signed by major sports organizations, and investments in esports teams are growing.
Esports Becoming More Inclusive
The esports industry has been criticized in the past for its lack of inclusivity. However, esports organizations are now making conscious efforts to address this issue. For instance, Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, has been proactive in ensuring that there is gender equality in their tournaments.
Recently, the 2021 Wild Rift ICON Series – Summer season had women-only teams in the Philippines, India, and Indonesia participating for the first time entering the Wild Rift esports tournaments. This move towards gender equality in esports is a trend that is expected to continue in the future.
Increased Use of VR and AR Technology
Virtual and augmented reality technologies have the potential to revolutionize the esports industry. VR and AR technologies can enhance the player’s experience, making them feel more immersed in the game. VR can let the viewer experience the action at a personal level more excitingly, while AR can improve the player’s gameplay, allowing them to make better decisions.
We have already seen some VR and AR-related developments; for instance, ThirdEye’s Command Center for esports competitions. The Command Center provides players with real-time data about their in-game performance, giving them an edge over their competitors.
Conclusion
Esports has made a massive impact in the entertainment industry, and with the trends and predictions mentioned above, it is evident that this growth will continue. Esports is expected to become more inclusive, attract more players, and have even more massive prize pools.
As virtual and augmented reality technologies become more widespread, we can expect to see their use in esports competitions. These technological advancements will enhance the player’s gameplay and the viewer’s experience, leading to even more exciting developments.
Esports is not going anywhere, and it is set to continue to grow and transform the entertainment industry in the future.