eSports: Fad or Cultural Stalwart?
In the United States, there has been a noticeable upward trend in the amount of eyes on eSports. What are eSports exactly? In the most simple way I can describe it, think of your favorite multiplayer game. Now think of the very best players of those games compiled into teams and competing against each other.
Now I know what you’re saying “ videogames is not a sport. They just sit there.” Sure but there are still certain aspects of it that is built on the structure of sports league. They’re the best of us partaking in activities any one of us can get involved in but they have specific skills and inherent talents that make them who they are. They’ve also dedicated time to practice to become the best and have team and solo training routines.
There’s also some big names and money involved in eSports. In the US alone, E. Stan Kronke(owner of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NFL’s LA Rams, et. al.), Robert Kraft(owner of the New England Patriots and MLS’ New England Revolution), Mickey Arison (owner of the Miami Heat) all have acquired stakes in eSports teams. Former NBA players Rick Fox and Shaquille O’Neal also own eSports teams.
It is expected that in 2017, worldwide revenue from eSports may be around or reach about $700 million with an audience size of approximately 385 million. So it should be no surprise that TV Networks have begun dedicating screen time. For instance TBS, The CW, and Hulu have had or will have special broadcasting on specific competitive games. ESPN has dedicated a section of their website and streaming service to eSports coverage as well.
The venues that host championship events can also fill out considerably sized arenas. So who are the major drivers of eSports? Games such as League of Legends, StarCraft, DOTA II, and Counter Strike: Global Offensive are amongst the most popular in the genre. The IEM Championship in Poland drew a larger live audience than the Super Bowl and a projected higher Nielsen rating than the 2017 US Presidential Inauguration.
With the growth and success of particular titles, it has spawned other games to attempt to spark competitive leagues in their own player bases. Overwatch, Call of Duty and Halo have caught on with sports titles like FIFA, NBA 2K, and even the FIA who is in charge of Forumla 1 have recently launched competitive leagues and held or will hold championship events. One of the reasons why more games try to launch competitive league is that it gives them another avenue and an expanded window to monetize one title. Dota II launched in 2013, CS:GO launched in 2012, and StarCraft 2 in 2010. Even Super Smash Brothers: Melee has championship events.
We can expect that with more games attempt to launch competitive leagues and growing interests among their respective player bases, the interest will only grow and become more accepted.