Electronic sports are taking over the world. Each year, news of grand tournaments and big pool prizes reaches niche community forums and media. And whether you are looking at revenue, numbers or the specialty of this trend, esports have all the prerequisites to become one of the defining features of the 21st century.
But what exactly are esports?
With many video games appearing on the market every day, why do some of them become popular and others not? Why do some genres resonate across countries and continents while others have the unenviable fate of fading into obscurity? And what is the future for emerging new games in general and the esport market in particular?
These questions can be confusing - especially when you do not know where to look for answers. It is for this reason that we decided to prepare the best guide for esport games and shed light on the exciting world of competitive sports!
What is an esport and where did it come from?
The first step to understanding e-sports is a matter of definition. Over the years, the rise of video games has created many myths and legends about the exact nature of this phenomenon. Yet, the truth is amazingly simple. Esport is a form of video game-based racing. Usually this involves organized events and tournaments where professional players plays against each other for glory and attractive prize money. These competitions are also not fully specialized.
Quake, commonly referred to as the esports grandfather, was released in 1996. A year later, Dennis "Thresh" Fong won the Ferrari 328 in the Red Annihilation Quake, a race that made history as the world's first such event. Subsequently, games like StarCraft: Brood War, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Warcraft III contributed to the growth of racing games.
However, it wasn't until the late 2000s that e-sports became popular.
A decade on, racing games are still reaching new heights. Turkey, Finland and the United States recognize professional gamers as athletes, giving them ample opportunity to apply for scholarships and work visas. Denmark has gone even further by developing a separate export strategy and financing local export organizations. Combine this with the hundreds of millions of fans who watch their favorite games around the world, and it's clear that the industry is about to achieve huge success.
What makes a game an esport?
It's no secret that the gaming industry is overfilled. There are tens of thousands games released every year, but the list of esport games remains shockingly small. The truth is that not every game has what it takes to be competitive. And no matter the style or genre, there are 3 basic attributes that one game must have in order to become an electronic sport.
1. Skill
At its core, the games are designed to be fun. Most developers interpret this as a call to smooth out imperfections and make the game as seamless as possible for the player. However, the best esport games are almost directly opposite to this line of thinking.
Of course, they have some aspects that might be considered enjoyable, but they also provide clear and direct ways for good players to distinguish themselves from bad ones. That is, there is always room to use your game skills to gain an edge over your opponents. And while this is not good for the loser experience, it is also a vital component of a successful e-sport.
2. Popularity
Let's face it: there is no such thing as unpopular e-sports. Of course, you can choose a Steam game and give yourself plenty of hours to master it, but there's not much to worry about if the entire player base is several hundred users. Similarly, there will not be many top-class players when players are not incentivized to improve their game.
This means that the game needs to build followers to be competitive. Not only that, but regular fans should be interested in high-level gameplay or keeping up with their favorite teams and players. That combination is hard to come by, so it's no surprise that the list of e-sports remains short: just look at the Fortnite World Cup or The International figures.
3. User experience
Even if you can create a popular and expressive title, your game should still be enjoyable for the viewers. You have to give your fans reasons to keep watching. And you can accomplish this with fast and exciting gameplay.
Many modern games have unique visualizations and animations, but they fail when it comes to showing action in a clear and concise way. It's hard to get interested in e-sports if you don't understand what's happening on screen, so esport games tend to place a strong emphasis on fine-tuned viewing.
What are the most common genres in esports?
Not all esports games are equal. There are plenty of genres with their own traits and features that create an excellent gaming experience. Some are just getting started while others are peaking, and electronic games may be different in different ways depending on what direction they follow. Here are some genres you should know:
1. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
Examples: Dota 2, League of Legends, Smite, Heroes of the Storm
Online battlefield multiplayers, such as League of Legends - developed by Riot Games - and Activision Blizzard's Heroes of the Storm, are the most popular titles in the world and can be found in almost every bookmaker, such as 10 bet. They adopt the conventional RTS formula and have role-playing elements that allow each user to control one player and use him in battle with another group of players. Of course, this is much simpler than directing the flow of the entire battlefield, but that does not make this genre easy. On the contrary, many MOBAs such as League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm come with big selection of unique characters and positioning options, so professionals need to have amazing levels of synergy, a sense of play and skill.
2. First-Person Shooter (FPS)
Examples: CS: GO, Call of Duty, Rainbow Six: Siege, Overwatch.
The shooters are the bread and butter of electronic sports. The gameplay formula for simulating a first-person shootout may seem simple on paper, but every FPS developer puts a lot of effort into it. This makes archery games one of the richest genres available and you can highlight dozens of classes and FPS categories.
Combine this with the purpose and decision-making skills needed to play these high-level games, and it's clear why shooter games are one of the best, and thats why almost every bookmaker and player love them. They can be found at many bookmakers like 22bet and betway.
3. Fighting games
Examples: Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros., Tekken.
Fighting games are definitely old-school. Just as the name suggests, their gameplay revolves around two players (or more, like in Super Smash Bros.), picking unique characters and engaging in digital ring battles. With this, the match becomes a series of strokes and combo moves.
4. Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Examples: StarCraft: Brood War, Warcraft III, StarCraft II.
Let's be honest: real-time strategies are a rare breed these days. These are probably the most complex genres of electronic games. Most of this comes from their inherent complexity. RTS players take on the role of generals who control armies, build cities and their economies. Doing all of these things simultaneously requires a lot of macro and micro-management, which is why RTS titles are usually described as steroids. Unfortunately, such complexity alienates casual fans, so real-time strategies and other strategy games are hard to keep up with the best esport games in terms of player count.
5. Sport games
Examples: FIFA, Madden NFL, NBA 2K, Pro Evolution Soccer, Rocket League.
The nature of the sport makes them ideal for racing and it was only a matter of time for someone to try and transfer that magic to a computer screen. The sports genre seeks to imitate traditional sports as closely as possible. Of course, there are some notable differences, such as a faster pace or a stronger focus on individual skills rather than team play.
6. Battle Royale
Examples: PUBG, Fortnite, Apex Legends.
Battle Royale is the latest addition to the list of electronic games. Most of them follow the same concept of a large number of players struggling with each other to survive a card with a constantly shrinking playing area. The goal is to become the last player or - depending on the mode - a team, so Battle Royale games tend to turn into epic death matches. The only problem is that viewers can find it difficult to take action because there are so many players doing their thing at the same time, but given their popularity, it's only a matter of time until someone solves the problem.
What are the next big esports?
Over the years, businesses have reached ridiculous levels to predict the next big esports. Their efforts make sense on paper. Esports will become an industry for billions by the end of 2020, so knowing which video game will blow the field can open up a lot of opportunities for making money. Fans could also benefit from knowing what kind of racing titles they should follow, as the best e-sports tournaments tend to get high production and entertainment value (see only the latest LoL and StarCraft II World Championship Series, Intel Extreme Masters or all events broadcast by Major League Gaming).
Unfortunately, most of these assumptions fail.
If you look back at the history of esports, the next big game is usually out of nowhere. In fact, many of the best such games have paved the way for new genres and sub-genres, making it impossible to predict their eventual popularity. After all, no one could have guessed that the Warcraft III mod - Defense of the Ancients - would lay the foundation for the super successful MOBA genre. Similarly, few industry experts have anticipated that Overwatch will come up with a proven and reliable first-person shooting formula to attract huge investors and venture capitalists.
The truth is, no one knows if any of the upcoming esports games will stick around.
However, we can try to make educated assumptions. Mobile games are the best place for that. The mobile gaming industry is massive as it generates more revenue from the console and PC gaming markets together. This makes them a unique place where many players already exist to support the existence of e-sports. And the only thing left is to figure out the right way to approach this audience.
Some attempts have already been made. Games like Clash Royale, Vainglory and Arena of Valor have enjoyed considerable success, introducing the concept of esports to the mobile gaming audience. And while most gamers still look at the mobile games as an everyday entertainment, their outlook can change a lot in the next few years.
What makes esports so popular for betting?
It's no secret that the esports industry is deeply intertwined with the world of online gambling. Part of it comes from game developers. Many publishers understand that gambling is an integral part of the competition, so it is customary to see betting sites that play the role of sponsors of official teams, players and tournaments. The best example of this is Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, where bookmakers can even select teams or host competitions.
However, even if publisher support is not available, this does not change the fact that betting and online gaming are a great match. One possible reason for this is that racing games fill a similar niche as traditional sports. Many millennials have grown up playing video games, and this fun has followed them into adulthood. So it is almost inevitable that they will be attracted to the idea of watching (and betting on) professional esport matches, such as World of Tanks, Marvel vs Capcom or Leagues tournaments, rather than any sports league. So far, the games do not yet have the scale of traditional sports. Yet, the future, in which the best electronic games will compete for spectator attention such as football, hockey and basketball, is not that far off.
Another thing to note is the reduced randomness of racing games. By nature, all games have some degree of chance, but most video game titles strive to minimize deviation. This means that bettors only have their own skill to rely on when predicting the outcome of esport matches, so they can focus on the task of analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of competing players.
Of course, not all games are equal for the bookmakers.
It's no secret that popular titles come with better options, wider markets and wider coverage. After all, it's much easier to analyze League of Legends match statistics than it is for Rocket League games. This does not mean that it makes no sense to bet on upcoming esport games. On the contrary, the fact that gambling sites find it difficult to accept less popular titles puts you in a unique position where you can find generous odds. And while your options may be limited to betting on a simple match and tournament winner, you can still make a profit from esports betting.
Esport Games in 2020
As good as it is to know the story and understand the nature of competitive games, it is important to remember that each title is good in itself. Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Overwatch and League of Legends have found their place in the e-gaming ecosystem. They tend to come up with their own mechanics, infrastructure, tournaments and other specifics that make for a fresh and unique experience for their audience.
You don't have to be well aware of every title in our game list just to follow Twitch or a YouTube broadcast. But if you want to create a successful betting strategy, you need to build a solid knowledge base for the game you are betting on.
How will the Esports betting landscape change in 2020?
Betting is in an era of continuous expansion and bookmakers are expected to have better coverage in 2020 than ever before. Popular MOBAs like Dota 2 and shooter games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are expected to dominate the market. Big events like The International have a huge prize pools, with millions of dollars being awarded each year. The finals of League of Legends Worlds and Blizzard Overwatch and StarCraft II World Championships are also the culmination of domestic tournaments.
In 2020, these games will continue to be the pinnacle of esports betting, but there are several upcoming esport games that we need to look at. The number of Street Fighter, Super Smash and Rocket League tournaments is expected to increase and more bookmakers will feature in their e-sports portfolio.
Will sport games such as Street Fighter become more popular in 2020?
As we look at new esport games that could have a significant impact in 2020, the Battle Royale genre comes to mind. Similar to PUBG and Fortnite games have seen the biggest growth last year, but their gameplay makes them less suitable for esports. Meanwhile, classic fighting games are back in the spotlight, and Street Fighter like esports are likely to become more popular in 2020. Capcom announced a restructured format for this year's tournament, with more prize money and more participants.
The flagship event of the Fighter Pro Tour will be held in Paris for the first time to reward the fast-growing European community. The new season begins in March and throughout the year fans of the fighting game will be able to bet on tournaments held around the world. EVO Japan 2020, Frosty Faustings XII, Kumite in Tennessee and many more Street Fighter events will keep fans of the genre in constant action.
