What was once a hobby to pass the time, now is a worldwide phenomenon. What is that you ask? Well, it’s none other than video games—the rise of esports, to be specific. Esports has pumped out hundreds of gaming stars that earn top salaries like other sports stars, and that number is just going to keep rising. This industry has grown so large that stadiums catered specifically to esports have been popping up left and right.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about esports and what it takes to become the next esports star.
Video Gaming as a Sport
Although many still scoff at this idea, video gaming as a sport is a reality that no one can deny. Video games that were once catered to kids to pass the time have now become a source of income for many, not only sport competition participants, but also streamers and the like. It has even brought brand new jobs to the scene, such as video game designers, marketers, and so on. All these have allowed esports to be taken seriously by many people and organizations. Even the Olympics teases that esports is to be part of its game by the year 2020.
Furthermore, Asian Games has already officially included esports in their event for the year 2022. They argued that sports could be categorized into two things: mental and physical. Physical sports include football, tennis, dashes, and so on. Mental sports include chess and now, esports.
The Viewers
As with many sports, the real revenue comes from the people who watch them in the first place. For the viewers, the best way they can enjoy it is to know how the game works, which comes from playing the game. In other words, football fans play football, and basketball fans play basketball.
It makes sense, then, that esports fans play video games. That’s why millions of viewers around the world, especially in Asia, are young people who are exposed to a wide variety of video games.
It doesn’t stop there, as esports keep on rising, gaining more viewers every new season. Also, with today’s technology, viewing esports tournaments is a pleasure, as audiences can enjoy high-quality products and video content all streamed live from the venue.
Skills Needed to Go Pro
READ Looking For a Career in Esports? Here Are Your Options:
With all the money and fame (and the fact that you get to play your favorite game) that esports promises, you might be tempted to hop in on the trend. However, be aware that millions of other people are striving to achieve what you’re trying to reach as well, and only the best of the best is going to land a spot in big-name teams.
How do you become the best? Well, you’ll need to have a phenomenal processing speed. You need to react to changing situations fast and take opportunities the moment they show up. Motor-skills also play a huge role, as a tenth of a second can be the difference between winning the grand finals or slamming your fist on the desk for losing.
You also need a mind that can generate brand new strategies on the fly, to continually adapt to new situations to give you and your team the best chances of winning. Finally, you should be willing to grind up to 12 hours a day training and improving your video game skills.
Conclusion
Esports is a rising phenomenon generating millions and billions of dollars in revenue. With prize pools reaching millions of dollars, equaling to big sports of today like football and basketball, more people are attracted to watch and play at competitions—non-gamers and gamers alike. Because of how easy it is for anyone to access video games, the esports industry is just going to grow and grow. Who knows, sooner or later, esports could overtake every other sport out there?
If you’re looking for more esports news, check our site today!