A rising genre, particularly in the betting world, is eSports. Short for “electronic sports”, these competitions take place online featuring players across the globe. They happen in games like League of Legends, Fortnite, and other popular titles, seeing the rise of professional gamers all the time. If you check out some online sportsbooks like the 1xbet sport bookmaker, you will even find odds for select eSports events. But why has eSports been on the upswing in recent years? The history may not be as prestigious as other sports, but there are a lot of reasons why the genre is rising at such a rapid pace.
It’s Entertainment
At the end of the day, the most popular sports in this world are popular because they are a form of entertainment. People are watching hoping to have a good time and to enjoy the spectacle of what they are seeing. The world of eSports is no different in that it is another form of entertainment to choose from.
The events are ramping up, too. With higher production values, thrilling gameplay, and live commentary, this is a viewing experience that differs drastically from the traditional sporting experience. Watching skilled players take these games to a new level is something that the average gamer can appreciate and become immersed in.
Professionalism and Skill
One of the connecting features of eSports is that these are all games that the average person can play.
Anyone can start playing League of Legends or Fortnite or any of these games seen in competitive eSports leagues. That connection is something that a lot of sports fans don’t have because they have never played sports before.
That connection being established, eSports pros take to it with a level of skill that the average person doesn’t have. eSports athletes do their own form of training, have coaches, and use analytics to become better. Seeing these pros take a game that the average Joe plays to a new level creates the kind of experience that can’t be garnered virtually anywhere else. It is somehow connecting with the average person while showing the disparity between a pro and an average person.
Community Engagement
Though there are plenty of reasons for the rise of eSports, there is one unique aspect compared to more traditional sports like football, basketball, and hockey. The community engagement fostered by the genre is perhaps its most unique aspect. There are loyal eSports communities all over the globe as a result.
Fans aren’t just watching eSports matches. More and more events are seeing participation through social media, forums, and a plethora of streaming platforms. The sense of community created in the eSports world is strong between fans and players.
The experience then becomes more personal than any of the other major professional sports could hope to achieve.
There is Money to Be Made
Not all that long ago, eSports felt like a niche. There was a presence, but it wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now. With that growing popularity comes an influx of money. With bigger and bigger tournaments comes bigger and bigger prize pools, creating the opportunity to make a legitimate living as an eSports athlete.
There are more tournaments happening all the time. The biggest and best tournaments offer millions of dollars in prizes, not to mention a boost in allure, prestige, and notoriety. The incentive to practice and improve is there on a level never before seen. As the popularity of the sport continues to rise, these prize pools are only going to get larger. We are seeing the rise of eSports and there’s no telling where it will go.