Esports is the competitive side of video games, which is played with dedicated digital platforms, requiring a device such as a computer, laptop, or mobile phone. Most of the games involve a team of players, while others are solo-based. The gameplay is similar to traditional sports, with teams competing against each other in a series of matches.
Players compete for the most prize money and fame. This can be an exciting hobby or a lucrative career. It requires communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and physicality. In addition to the competition, it also develops social and emotional skills, including empathy through experience.
Many schools, universities, and colleges have esports programs. These programs are regulated by the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), which oversees the activities of more than 50 college varsity esports programs. NACE championships typically award thousands of dollars in prize money.
Esports can be a fun and fulfilling hobby, but it can also be a lucrative and high-profile career. In fact, the industry is projected to reach $700 million in revenue in 2017 and grow to more than $1 billion by 2020. However, the legitimacy of esports as a legitimate form of sporting competition remains unclear.
Unlike traditional sports, esports can be played remotely. There are a wide variety of esports titles, which range from goofy cartoonish ones to hyper-realistic games. Some esports titles require players to compete against AI or bots, while others are team-based.
In a typical esports league, a team plays a set number of games per season. If they do well, they are promoted to higher level leagues. If they don’t do as well, they’re relegated. Depending on the game, the salary structure varies. For example, players of the popular CS:GO game are paid annually. Their performance is also monitored and bonuses are offered for successful performances.
Esports are played online on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. Fans can watch live streams or attend a local tournament, which usually take place at an esports center run by a professional team. A majority of fans are located in North America and South Korea. According to research, about 60% of esports fans would be willing to travel to see their favorite tournaments.
Major esports tournaments include the North American Major League Gaming league and the World Cyber Games. In addition, there are other prestigious esports events, such as the Intel Extreme Masters. Other notable esports venues include London Wembley Arena, the Seattle KeyArena, and the World Cup Stadium in Seoul.
Esports can be a great way to connect with fellow students, but it isn’t for everyone. It can be a lot of work, and players can lose more often than in other games. However, there are many reasons to play esports, including improving school spirit, improving social skills, developing leadership, and learning critical thinking.
In recent years, esports has shifted from the recreational to the professional side of gaming. The industry has seen growth in terms of both viewership and participant numbers.
