Esports has been around longer than many young people realize. In fact, its history dates back to the 1950s, with the first leagues emerging in the 1990s. Today, the industry has grown massively, with new trends that are set to shape the future of competitive gaming. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the biggest esports trends to watch this year and how they could redefine the future of this sport.
Esports Recognition as an Official Sport
Esports is a prominent professional sport today. These games are played by professionals in competitive tournaments and leagues. However, while some countries have now fully recognised esports as a proper sport, many are still lagging behind this trend. Countries like South Korea, China, and India have recognised esports as an official sport.
As it stands, it’s only a matter of time before esports becomes an official sport in most countries. In June 2023, the first Esports Olympic Week was organised in Singapore, with the IOC announcing this year that Saudi Arabia will host the first Olympic Esports Games in 2027. These developments point to the increasing recognition of esports as a sport.
Increased Betting Sponsorships
The general consensus is that esports is ready to join the ‘elite status’ of official sports worldwide.
So, like any other sport, esports is sure to start attracting betting sponsorships. This year, more betting companies could sponsor professional esports teams and fund regional tournaments. Some companies could even take the dual role of organiser and sponsor.
Riot Games, the company behind popular esports games like League of Legends and Valorant, is already leading the way. This event sponsor/organiser announced in December last year that teams can sign sponsorship deals with betting companies. However, the company’s COO of esports clarified that betting companies wouldn’t appear on its official broadcasts.
Artificial Intelligence in the Esports Industry
The AI wave has affected hundreds of industries. In the gaming sector, this technology has reshaped how we interact with video games. Interestingly, AI and machine learning have influenced the gaming sector for decades. Remember the chess-playing computer that floored professional chess player Garry Kasparov in 1997? That was AI at work.
Modern AI could reshape esports in far greater ways. It can collate and analyse ‘big data’ to provide real-time and more personalised feedback to enhance performance and experience. This approach already works in iGaming, where AI provides tailored recommendations. Most online casinos use it to provide tailored game suggestions based on your playing history.
Below are more ways AI can transform the esports sector:
- Provide real-time gaming advice and training.
- Analyse opponents and provide practical gaming tips.
- Collect data about teams and events to provide helpful insights.
- Deployment of AI-driven anti-cheat systems to prevent cheating.
Widespread Esports Community Casting
Esports features hundreds of games from different genres. You can find what you like, whether you’re a fan of tactical shooters or battle royales; the choices are endless. However, most esports tournaments share common structures. This has necessitated the need for unique community casting, which is becoming an integral part of Esports.
Community casting refers to esports live streaming by independent content creators. The good thing about community casting is that viewers can engage with each other in an open setting. Also, the streamers are more emotive, sometimes rooting for a side to win. Take LoL’s World Championship Series, for example, where community casting accounted for 45.8% of viewership in 2024.
Conclusion
This year will certainly be a turning point for the esports industry. Esports’ popularity as a sport will certainly reach new heights, while AI will continue to revolutionise gaming experiences. Other rising trends include the increasing number of mobile esports gamers and real-money betting. This could also be the year for blockchain-based esports. It’s an exciting time to be an esports player.