Esports, or competitive gaming, is a rapidly growing sector of the entertainment industry. Although it has been around since the 1970s, only recently has it garnered mainstream attention. Multiplayer games like Quake, Counter-Strike, StarCraft, and Warcraft III have helped expand the esports scene, attracting large international tournaments and giving rise to dedicated organizations that support teams and players. One of the most popular esports games today is League of Legends, which boasts over 100 million monthly active players and is the most-watched game on Twitch. With continual advancements in technology and increasing mainstream attention, esports is on track to continue its growth in the future.
The Rise of eSports: How Multiplayer Games are Taking Over the Competitive Scene
Introduction
Esports, or competitive gaming, is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. With high-profile tournaments attracting thousands of viewers and offering large prize pools, it’s no wonder that esports is gaining mainstream attention. In this article, we will explore the rise of esports and how multiplayer games are taking over the competitive scene.
The Early Years of Esports
Esports has been around for decades but only recently has it gained mainstream attention. The earliest documented esports event was a Space Invaders tournament held at Stanford University in 1972. However, it was not until the late 1990s when esports began to take shape with the rise of the internet and the ability for players to connect online.
One of the first major esports games was Quake, a first-person shooter released in 1996. The game quickly gained a following and in 1997, the Red Annihilation tournament was held with a grand prize of a Ferrari 328 GTS. This event sparked interest in esports and paved the way for future tournaments and games.
The Growth of Multiplayer Games
As technology advanced, so did the capabilities of multiplayer games. Games like Counter-Strike, StarCraft, and Warcraft III became popular esports titles with large international tournaments. The introduction of streaming services like Twitch also helped to grow the esports scene by allowing fans to watch their favorite players and teams compete in real-time.
One of the biggest esports games today is League of Legends, a multiplayer online battle arena game released in 2009. The game has a massive following with over 100 million monthly active players and is the most-watched game on Twitch. The League of Legends World Championship, held annually since 2011, has become one of the most prestigious esports events with a prize pool of over $6 million in 2020.
The Rise of Esports Organizations
As esports continued to grow, organizations began to form around teams and players. These organizations helped to provide support for players and manage their branding and public relations. Some of the biggest esports organizations today include TSM, Cloud9, and Fnatic.
These organizations also helped to bring attention to the esports scene by creating partnerships with traditional sports teams and sponsors. In 2016, the Philadelphia 76ers purchased esports teams Dignitas and Apex, becoming the first North American sports franchise to own an esports team. Today, many other sports teams have also jumped into the esports arena.
The Future of Esports
Esports is showing no signs of slowing down in the future. With advancements in technology, games are becoming more immersive and realistic, providing a better experience for players and viewers alike. The International Olympic Committee has also recognized esports as a sports activity, leading to speculation that esports may one day be included in the Olympics.
As esports continues to grow and develop, it is clear that multiplayer games are taking over the competitive scene. With high-profile tournaments, dedicated organizations, and increasing mainstream attention, esports is here to stay.