The esports market has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, becoming a major industry in its own right. What was once a niche pastime has unexpectedly evolved into a global sensation, captivating the attention of millions of enthusiasts and audiences. This unprecedented rise of competitive gaming has significantly impacted the video game sector in many ways.
The Rise of Esports and Its Impact on the Video Game Industry
Beyond gaming, esports’ effect also crosses over to the gambling industry, where betting on the activity has become a massive market. Today, several online sportsbooks and top online Canadian casinos offer odds on competitive video games as part of their products. According to Statista, the esports betting market is predicted to grow at an astounding CAGR of 8.05% between 2023 and 2027, reaching a market size of $3.2 billion in 2027.
However, this article will only dive into the evolution of esports and its significant impact on the video game industry. Let’s go!
Evolution of Esports
The humble beginnings of esports can be traced back to the early days of video gaming in the 1970s and 1980s when arcade and video consoles were the hot trends. Back then, competitive gaming started gaining traction with tournaments in arcade classics like Space Invaders and Pac-Man. Achieving high scores in these games became a thing of pride, resulting in informal competition among players to determine who would perform best.
However, the turning point for esports only came with the advent of the internet. Alongside improved connectivity and accessibility, the activity took flight with the rise of multiplayer online games. The 1990s and early 2000s saw the introduction of video games like Quake and StarCraft, resulting in the emergence of local tournaments and grassroots communities. These laid the groundwork and set the stage for the modern competitive gaming turned global phenomenon we see today.
In the early 2000s, countries like South Korea took centre stage in the esports industry, with televised events drawing massive audiences. The emergence of esports organizations soon followed in the 2000s, leading to the establishment of major tournaments like the eSports World Convention (formerly known as Electonic Sports World Cup) and the World Cyber Games (WCG). These attract massive international attention.
The game completely changed in the late 2000s with the evolution of streaming technology. This propelled esports onto the global stage, with players broadcasting their gameplay to international audiences. Game developers soon started making exciting video games with competitive gaming in mind. This accessibility increased the viewership of esports, resulting in the massive growth we see today.
Key Factors Driving Esports Growth
The significant rise in the esports industry can be attributed to several growth-driving factors. Some of these include:
- Technological advancements: Technological advancements, from faster internet speed to improved connectivity and streaming platforms with high-quality live broadcasts, are instrumental to the rapid growth of the esports sector. These allow players from across the globe to seamlessly connect and compete in real-time, fostering a vibrant community irrespective of geographical barriers.
- Inclusivity and improved accessibility: One key factor differentiating esports from traditional sports is the required physical attributes. Esports levels the playing field in this area, attracting players from diverse backgrounds, including those with no athletic prowess. Also, the ubiquitous nature of sports and its equipment, like gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, makes it possible for gamers of varying skills to compete.
- Mainstream attention and recognition: Another major catalyst to the rise of esports in recent years is the growing attention, recognition, and acceptance it receives from mainstream media. Major outlets like ESPN provide screen time covering competitions and tournaments, exposing it to a broader audience. This has also increased sponsorship opportunities, bigger prizes and rewards, massive investments, and more.
Esports Impact on the Video Game Industry
As mentioned, the meteoric rise of esports has reverberated throughout the entire video game landscape. It has significantly impacted and transformed the industry, from how enthusiasts approach gaming today to game development, revenue generation, and much more. Let’s explore some of these impacts.
Increased Popularity
A significant impact of esports unprecedented rise is the massive attention and popularity it brought to the video gaming industry. With the excitement and camaraderie accompanying esports tournaments and competitions, millions of new enthusiasts are becoming interested in video games daily. In fact, according to a Newzoo report, the number of esports audiences as of 2021 was 459.3 million. And this number is expected to reach 435.9 million by 2024.
The table below shows some of today’s most popular esports video games:
| Video Game | Developer | Platform | Notable Tournament | Genre |
| League of Legends (2009) | Riot Games | PC | League of Legends World Championship (LCS) | Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) |
| Dota 2 (2013) | Valve Corporation | PC | The International | Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA). |
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) (2012) | Valve Corporation | PC, console | Intel Extreme Masters | Multiplayer first-person shooter |
| Fortnite (2017) | Epic Games | PC, console, mobile | Fortnite World Cup | Multiplayer battle royale |
| PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) 2017 | PUBG Corporation | PC, console, mobile | PUBG Global Invitational | Battle Royale |
| Overwatch (2016) | Blizzard Entertainment | PC, console | Overwatch League | Multiplayer first-person shooter |
Game Design and Development
Game design and development is one of the most prominent aspects where esports’ popularity has influenced the video game sector. With millions of enthusiasts interested in esports, game developers need to develop games suitable for competitive play. This has naturally resulted in the creation of video games with refined mechanics, balanced gameplay, and strategic depth that ensure a level playing field for casual and professional gamers.
Increased Revenue and Economic Growth
The popularity of esports has led to exponential revenue growth in the gaming industry and positively influenced the economy. The sport has become one of the fastest-growing segments in entertainment, generating new revenue streams via sponsorships, advertisements, ticket sales, merchandise sales, and more.
All these have positively contributed to the economy and created job opportunities in different fields like game development, event management, media production, and much more. Many major corporations have also recognized the potential of esports and the video game industry, resulting in investments from all sides.
Increased Investments in Video Game Development
Another major area where the rise of esports has positively impacted the video game industry is the resulting increase in investments in video game development. With the continual rise in the number of gamers, many businesses are fully embracing the competitive video game landscape and investing heavily in their development. This is unsurprising as the global video games market hit $183 billion just last year and is projected to reach $343.6 billion in 2028. It’s only natural that everyone wants a piece of that massive revenue.
Closing Thoughts
Esports has evolved from humble beginnings as video gamers’ pastime into a global phenomenon with the help of catalysts like technological advancement and increased accessibility. The industry’s rapid growth has significantly transformed the video gaming landscape in many ways, including a surge in popularity, increased revenue, and advancing game development.
While it faces its fair share of challenges, the future of the esports industry is promising. As technology continues to evolve, so will esports and, by extension, the video game industry.
