The whole concept of eSports has really taken off in the recent years. Today, we will be taking you deeper into the world of eSports and how a computer game can be the ticket to million. By millions, we literally mean earnings. But, first things first, right?
What is eSports?
This is pretty much a sport but on a digital platform. Computer games and video games are both the subjects of eSports. Basically any form of video game that has a multiplayer option counts as eSports. What started was a casual competition between a few personalities in the eighties and nineties has perfectly blossomed into what we know eSports is today.
Professional gamers get to marry the concepts of their love for playing and the capacity to earn—making it one of the best ways to earn a generous living beyond the usual 9 to 5 grind.
What specific genres are involved in eSports?
There are several types of genres that are currently bracketed under eSports. Here are some of them:
Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
The concept of strategy games is not anything new. This refers to any game that will require strategy in order to gain the upper hand. Normally, players take turns in the game and try to outmaneuver each other. However, this is no longer the case in most RTS games.
Games like Warcraft and Starcraft by Blizzard have drastically changed the way real-time strategy games are played. If you are familiar with the game franchise of Command & Conquer and Red Alert, you will be very familiar with the concept of real-time strategy games.
These are the games that are played out on a map where specific places contain resources for harvesting which are used to power buildings and eventually the army that you will build to overwhelm your enemy. The strategies necessary to outwit or outplay the opponent requires significant timing and the result can be quite rewarding when an attack it planned and executed perfectly.
In an annual scale, there are tournaments for Warcraft and Starcraft II which often receive international attention and the beset players can walk away with $200,000 for a single tournament in the 90’s. Imagine what the prizes are now.
RTS also embraces games like Hearthstone. Hearthstone is a free to play online card game that was developed by Blizzard. Online card games would have been something that would have been ignored in the 80’s if it was not gambling. However, technology and society has grown enough to provide new room for newer games.
Fighting Games
Whoever said that fighting games never made anyone richer is surely going to bite their tongue with this next genre! In the world of video games, the genre of fighting and arcade games often ruled every kid’s world. The games of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and even Tekken were a regular part of any gamer’s repertoire.
Every player has their own favorite character and play style. What were usually casual fights in home systems or arcades eventually grew into local, national, and international tournaments. These were large enough wherein the winners get not only massive bragging rights but the chance to walk away in 6-7 figure payouts for official games.
Mind you, there can be several official games in a year so you can do the math. What is lovely about the idea of ‘fighting’ games is that is had transcended the idea of just a bunch of characters trying to beat each other up. The genre has expanded enough to allow games like Mario Kart to be added into the mix.
First Person Shooters (FPS)
If you ask any serious gamer, they will tell you that once or twice they had an FPS phase in their lives. The first person shooter is normally focused on a player and their weapon. The view is from the first person point of view making it seem that the player is actually the one wielding the weapon and is in the map.
Old games like Doom set the foundation for the latter games that swept players off their feet. Newer games like Counter Strike, Half Life, and Call of Duty really propelled the popularity of the genre into dizzying heights.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
If there was any genre that was the poster child for eSports, it would have to be this one. The two games that constantly try to vie for the number 1 spot would be Defense of the Ancients (DotA) and League of Legends (LoL).
Both games pit two teams against each other. Both teams have their own bases and “base cores” that they need to protect. Massive strategy is required to try to use each ‘hero’s’ ability to the benefit of their team—especially during team clashes.
Right now, it is the game of League of Legends that has a massive international presence. Around next month or so the Worlds Tournament will be kicking off in Beijing. The prize money for the winning team will be around $4.5 million to be split by 5 or 6 individuals depending on the team.
MOBA games are the most played games in internet cafes and PC gamers the world over. Not only is it a diverting hobby, if you get good enough, you can try out for sports teams. From there, you can have the chance to compete and even get massive sponsorship.
In Closing
The world of eSports is no longer something to scoff at or make fun of. It is now a wholly legitimate and completely thriving event with a massive following on both a national and international scale. Gone are the days wherein you can simply dismiss someone’s efforts in a computer game as wasting time.
Lives and careers are completely transformed in the world of eSports. With the different eSports listed above, which particular one would you be open to trying? Who knows, you just might be the best player in the world—you just don’t know it yet. The world of eSports is the new frontier for the brave!