Although eSports are not considered real sports in many areas of the world, there are almost 400 million eSports viewers and enthusiasts worldwide. It is one of the most followed forms of online entertainment ever. Almost any game where players compete against each other is considered an eSports game. People of almost any age can compete (and earn money) from e-Sports. In fact, as of 2021, global e-Sports gaming revenue is estimated to touch $3.5 billion, and some e-Sport championships such as Fortnite and DOTA (Defense of the Ancients) have prize pools of around $30 million.
E-Sports is a field that requires a huge amount of talent as well as a large player base. In the United States, eSports pros are legally recognized as professional athletes. It isn’t every day that an eSport champion is born. However, as a new decade has emerged from the midst of a global pandemic, eSports has taken a steep turn. Due to the spread of COVID-19, it is almost impossible to host international tournaments without taking a big risk, and in order to preserve capital, many eSports companies have reduced marketing budgets, hence leading to a direct reduction in revenue. As lockdown was enforced, many eSports pros had to move back into their private residences and reschedule their training schedules. Since not every place has access to a stable internet connection, which is vital in e-Sports, many eSports pros have experienced a drop in performance, leading to massive roster changes, hence forcing many players out of their jobs.
Although eSports is transforming into something different, it doesn’t necessarily have to be for the worst. ESports has started becoming a major field of academic study. A handful of colleges are offering degree programs in eSports, such as business aspects of e-Sports team management, strategic statistical analysis, and even more. ESports has turned into a vast field of opportunity, business, and entertainment for everyone. Well, what game are you playing today?