Esports is predicted to continue growing in the next decade, with more mainstream attention, collaboration with traditional sports, and diversity and inclusion efforts. Mainstream media outlets are expected to cover esports events and non-gaming brands will sponsor teams and events. Traditional sports teams may invest in esports or partner with organizations, and esports games may be played in traditional sports arenas. A wider variety of games and genres may enter the space and efforts will be made to make esports more inclusive. Additionally, investment in infrastructure, technology, and research and development is expected to increase.
The Future of Esports: Predictions for the Next Decade
Esports has exploded in popularity in recent years, with millions of people tuning in to watch tournaments and competitions. As technology and gaming continue to evolve, many experts believe that esports will only continue to grow in the coming years. Here are some predictions for the future of esports in the next decade:
More Mainstream Attention
As esports continues to gain popularity, it’s likely that it will become even more mainstream. This means that more mainstream media outlets will begin covering esports events and more non-gaming brands will sponsor esports teams and events. In fact, we’ve already seen this trend begin to take shape – in 2020, ESPN aired the League of Legends World Championship final on their network, signaling that esports is becoming more and more mainstream.
More Collaboration Between Esports and Traditional Sports
While traditional sports and esports have often been viewed as separate entities, there is a growing trend of the two industries collaborating. In the future, we could see more traditional sports teams investing in esports teams or partnering with esports organizations. Additionally, we could see esports games being played in traditional sports arenas and stadiums, creating a new level of cross-industry collaboration.
More Games and Genres
Esports has traditionally been dominated by a few key genres, such as First-Person Shooters and MOBAs. However, as esports continues to grow, we may see a wider variety of games and genres enter the space. Esports tournaments for games like Hearthstone and Rocket League have already gained popularity, and it’s likely that more niche games will begin to gain traction in the esports world.
More Diversity and Inclusion
Esports has often been criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion. In the next decade, we’re likely to see more efforts to make esports more inclusive and welcoming to a wider range of people. This could include more outreach to underrepresented groups, more diversity and inclusion initiatives from esports organizations, and more support for women and non-binary gamers.
Increased Investment and Infrastructure
As esports continues to grow, we’re likely to see more investment in infrastructure and technology. This could include better livestreaming technology, more advanced esports arenas and gaming centers, and more investment in the development of esports-specific technologies. Additionally, we’re likely to see more investment in esports research and development, which could lead to exciting new advancements in the industry.
Conclusion
The future of esports is bright, with a wide range of exciting possibilities on the horizon. From increased mainstream attention to more collaboration with traditional sports to more diversity and inclusion, there’s a lot to be excited about. As the esports industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the coming years.