Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming where professional players compete in various games for titles, glory, and significant prize money. With millions of fans and participants worldwide, esports has transformed from a niche hobby into a billion-dollar industry, gaining recognition as a legitimate sport. In this article, we’ll explore what esports is, how to become a player, and the growing structure around this exciting phenomenon.
What Are Esports?
So, what are esports exactly? Esports refers to organized, multiplayer video game competitions, typically between professional players, individually or as teams. These games span a variety of genres, including first-person shooters (FPS), real-time strategy (RTS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), and sports simulation games. What separates esports from casual gaming is its highly competitive nature, with tournaments drawing in large audiences and top players vying for titles and lucrative rewards.
Who Owns Esports?
The question of who owns esports is complex, as esports is not governed by a single organization. Instead, various entities own and operate different segments of the industry. Video game publishers, such as Riot Games (League of Legends) and Valve (Dota 2, CS), play a significant role in organizing esports tournaments. Additionally, third-party organizations such as ESL and DreamHack also host major events. Esports teams and organizations, such as Cloud9 and Team Liquid, manage players and facilitate their participation in tournaments.
What Games Are Played in Esports?
A wide variety of games are featured in esports competitions. Some of the most popular titles include:
- League of Legends (LoL): A MOBA game with a vast professional scene.
- Dota 2: Another major MOBA known for its enormous prize pools.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS): A highly popular FPS game with global tournaments.
- Fortnite: A battle royale game that exploded in popularity.
- Overwatch: A team-based shooter with its own league structure.
- Call of Duty: A long-standing FPS franchise with competitive leagues. These games, among others, make up the core of esports and offer countless opportunities for players to engage in competitive play.
How to Become an Esports Player
If you’re wondering how to become an esports player, the path typically involves mastering a particular game, joining online competitions, and eventually moving up to amateur or semi-pro leagues. Aspiring esports players need to dedicate significant time to practising, building their skills, and joining teams. Streaming platforms like Twitch allow players to showcase their abilities, potentially leading to sponsorships or invites from established esports teams. As you progress, networking with other players and participating in both online and local tournaments is key to making a name for yourself.
How Many Esports Teams Are There?
Esports is filled with a vast number of professional teams. When considering how many esports teams are there, the number easily stretches into the hundreds across different games and leagues. Leading esports organizations often field teams in multiple games. For example, teams like Fnatic, Evil Geniuses, and G2 Esports have squads in games like CS, LoL, and Dota 2. The diversity in games means there are many teams across the globe, contributing to a thriving competitive ecosystem.
Famous Esports Players
Esports has created a platform for elite players to gain celebrity status. Some of the most famous esports players include:
- Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok): A South Korean LoL player widely regarded as the greatest player in the game’s history.
- s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev): A Ukrainian CS player known for his incredible skills and consistency.
- Bugha (Kyle Giersdorf): An American Fortnite player who won the first-ever Fortnite World Cup at the age of 16. These players and many others have become household names within the gaming community, earning millions through prize money, sponsorships, and streaming.
| Player Name | Game | Country | Achievements |
| Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) | League of Legends | South Korea | 3x World Champion, regarded as the greatest LoL player of all time. |
| s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev) | Counter-Strike Global Offensive | Ukraine | Multiple MVP awards, top-ranked CS player, known for consistency. |
| Bugha (Kyle Giersdorf) | Fortnite | USA | Winner of the 2019 Fortnite World Cup. |
| N0tail (Johan Sundstein) | Dota 2 | Denmark | 2x The International Champion, highest-earning Dota 2 player. |
| ZywOo (Mathieu Herbaut) | Counter-Strike Global Offensiv | France | Multiple MVP titles, young CS prodigy. |
| Doinb (Kim Tae-sang) | League of Legends | South Korea | 2019 World Champion, known for unconventional champion selections. |
| TheScar (Shen Yi) | PUBG | China | Famous for dominating PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) tournaments. |
| Armada (Adam Lindgren) | Super Smash Bros. Melee | Sweden | One of the “Five Gods” of Super Smash Bros. Melee. |
| Ninja (Tyler Blevins) | Fortnite | USA | Popular Fortnite player, iconic esports figure, and streamer. |
| Chovy (Jeong Ji-hoon) | League of Legends | South Korea | Renowned for his mechanics and consistent performance in pro play. |
Biggest Esports Tournaments
Esports is home to some of the largest and most exciting competitions in the world. The biggest esports tournaments include:
- The International (Dota 2): Famous for its massive prize pools, often exceeding $30 million.
- League of Legends World Championship: The pinnacle of LoL competition, attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
- Fortnite World Cup: A major event with millions in prize money on the line. These tournaments are watched by millions of fans both online and in stadiums, highlighting esports’ growing influence.
Types of Esports Tournaments
There are several types of esports tournaments, ranging from small local events to major international competitions. Some tournaments are held online, while others take place in large arenas. League-style tournaments like the Overwatch League run through a season, with regular matches leading up to playoffs, while single-elimination tournaments have teams or players eliminated after a single loss. Esports tournaments are also divided into amateur, semi-pro, and professional levels, offering opportunities for players of all skill levels.
Single-Elimination: Teams/players are eliminated after one loss. The winner advances to the next round.
- Example: EVO (Fighting Games), FIFA Esports World Cup
Double-Elimination: Teams/players have to lose twice before being eliminated. There is a winners’ and losers’ bracket.
- Example: ESL Pro League (CS), The International (Dota 2)
Round-Robin: Each team/player competes against all others in the group at least once, with rankings based on wins.
- Example: LEC (League of Legends), Overwatch League
Swiss System: Teams/players compete against others with similar performance, but not all teams face each other.
- Example: Hearthstone Masters Tour, Clash Royale League
League Format: A season-long competition where teams/players face each other regularly, similar to traditional sports leagues.
- Example: League of Legends Championship Series (LCS)
Invitational: Only invited teams/players participate, often featuring top-ranked or special invitees.
- Example: Fortnite Invitational, Red Bull Kumite
Open Tournaments: Anyone can enter and compete, often starting with amateurs and working up to professional levels.
- Example: DreamHack Open, PUBG Mobile Global Championship
LAN Events: Competitions held in physical venues where players compete on a local area network (LAN).
- Example: DreamHack, ESL One
Online Tournaments: Entirely online competitions where players or teams compete remotely through the internet.
- Example: Valorant Champions Tour, Fortnite Cash Cups
Hybrid Tournaments: A mix of online and LAN events, where early rounds are online and finals are held in a physical venue.
- Example: Call of Duty League, Rocket League Championship Series
What Is the Future of Esports?
As the industry continues to grow, what is the future of esports? Esports is poised for further expansion. With advancements in technology, games are becoming more immersive, and streaming platforms are making it easier to access live competitions. The rise of mobile esports, the increasing presence of esports in traditional sports media, and the potential for esports in the Olympics are all signs of a bright future. As more investment flows into the industry, new games and innovative tournaments will keep esports at the forefront of entertainment.