What Games Are In College Esports?
Contents
If you’re a fan of esports, you might be wondering what games are played in college competitions. Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular games in college esports.
The Games
Here is a list of all the games that are in college esports. This list is comprised of all the games that have some form of collegiate esports scene. It should be noted that not every college offers esports scholarships and there are different rules for each game. Some games are more popular than others.
“League of Legends”
League of Legends (LoL) is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games for Microsoft Windows and macOS. LoL is a free-to-play game supported by microtransactions. LoL is one of the most popular Internet games. The game was generally well received upon release. LoL has had over 27 million votes on GameSpot.
Esports have seen a recent explosion in popularity, with organizations such as TESPA, CSL, and Collegiate Star League hosting tournaments with scholarships on the line for the winners. “League of Legends” is one of the most popular games in this growing genre, and collegiate teams are starting to form all over the country to compete against each other in official matches. If you’re interested in joining your school’s team or just want to see what all the hype is about, keep reading to learn more about this exciting new world of sports.
“Overwatch”
Overwatch is a team-based shooting game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It is one of the most popular games in the college esports scene. There are two teams of six players each, and each player controls a different character with unique abilities. The objective of the game is to capture or defend points on the map, or toescort a payload to its destination.
“Counter-Strike: Global Offensive”
“Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” is a game that two teams play against each other in an attempt to complete objectives or eliminate the other team. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the players can use a variety of weapons and equipment to complete their objectives.
The Teams
eSports have been a staple in collegiate life for a while now. Some schools have even begun to offer scholarships for the best gamers on their team. With so many different games available, it can be hard to decide which one to play. Here is a list of the most popular games in college esports.
varsity
Varsity esports are organized and supported by colleges and universities much in the same way as traditional varsity sports like football or basketball. Much like traditional sports, esports athletes on varsity teams receive some level of scholarship money to help cover the cost of their education.
Varsity teams often have tryouts to ensure that only the most skilled players make the team. These tryouts can be open to any student at the school, or they may be open only to students who have expressed interest in joining the team.
Once a team has been selected, they will begin practicing together in order to prepare for upcoming competitions. These practices can be either informal or structured, depending on the team’s preference. Some teams may even choose to bring in outside coaches to help them prepare for specific opponents or tournaments.
As with traditional sports, there are both local and national competitions for varsity esports teams to participate in. These tournaments can offer prize money for the winning team, as well as a chance to showcase their skills on a national stage.
club
Many colleges have started Club teams which are similar to Varsity teams. These teams are not sponsored by the school and usually have less structure and commitment from the players. College club teams typically play in local tournaments and leagues. Some notable games in college esports are listed below.
-League of Legends
-Overwatch
-Counter Strike: Global Offensive
-Hearthstone
-PUBG
intramural
Many colleges offer intramural esports leagues, which are college-wide competitions open to all students. These leagues often have multiple divisions, which are organized by skill level, so that everyone has a chance to compete. In some cases, the winning team from each division will advance to a playoff tournament to determine the overall champion.
The Tournaments
The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is the governing body of collegiate esports. They are responsible for ensuring that all college esports tournaments are fair and equal. Currently, there are four main games in college esports: League of Legends, Overwatch, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
“League of Legends”
League of Legends is a five-player online battle arena video game based on the Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne mod Defense of the Ancients. Designed by developer Riot Games, LoL was unofficially released in October 2009. The game is a free-to-play title supported by microtransactions. LoL is one of the most popular Internet games. According to IGN, it was the most played PC game in North America and Europe in 2012. By 2014, it was one of the most popular Internet games and eSports, with 32 million players playing monthly and 27 million per day.
“Overwatch”
Overwatch is a first-person shooter game that was released by Blizzard Entertainment in 2016. It is a team-based game with multiple characters that each have unique abilities. The objective of the game is to work as a team to capture or defend control points or escort a payload across the map.
“Counter-Strike: Global Offensive”
“Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” (CS:GO) is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game developed by Hidden Path Entertainment and Valve Corporation. It is the fourth game in the Counter-Strike series and was released for Windows, OS X, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in August 2012, while the Linux version was released in 2014. The game pits two teams against each other: the Terrorists and the Counter-Terrorists. Both sides are tasked with eliminating the other while also completing separate objectives. The Terrorists, depending on the game mode, must either plant a bomb or hold hostages, while the Counter-Terrorists must prevent this from happening. There are nine game modes in total, all of which have distinct characteristics specific to that mode.
The Scholarships
Being a part of a college esports team not only gives you a chance to compete at a high level, but also can earn you scholarship money. That’s right, playing video games in college can help you pay for school. College esports scholarships work just like any other athletic scholarship. The amount of money you can receive depends on the school, your skill level, and how much the program is willing to invest.
varsity
Many colleges offer esports programs at the varsity, club and intramural levels. Varsity programs are typically supported by scholarships that cover a significant portion of tuition, and some programs also offer stipends to help with living expenses.
At the club level, students typically organize and fund their own teams, which compete against other clubs in regional or national leagues. Some colleges offer small amounts of financial support for club teams, but most players cover their own costs.
Intramural programs are offered through traditional campus recreation departments and typically do not include financial aid. These programs are open to all students and typically do not require tryouts or previous experience in esports.
club
Club esports teams are student-run organizations that compete against each other in various games. There are four main types of games that these teams compete in: 1) MOBA: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, 2) FPS: First Person Shooter, 3) RTS: Real Time Strategy, and 4) Sports. Each of these game genres has unique gameplay elements that make them interesting to watch and play.
MOBA games are team-based, with each player controlling a single character in a top-down perspective. The objective is usually to destroy the enemy’s base, or to accumulate more points than the other team by slaying enemy characters and destroying towers. Popular MOBA games include League of Legends, DOTA 2, and Heroes of the Storm.
FPS games are also team-based, but each player controls a separate character in a first-person perspective. The objective is often to complete objectives such as planting or diffusing a bomb, or rescuing or protecting hostages. Common FPS games include Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty, and Halo.
RTS games are played by two or more players in real time. Each player controls an army of units with the goal of defeating the other player’s army. The key to success in an RTS game is effective resource management and strategic thinking. Common RTS titles include StarCraft II, Warcraft III, and Command & Conquer.
Sports games simulating real-world sports such as football, basketball, baseball, or hockey. Popular college sports esports titles include Rocket League and Madden NFL.
intramural
Most commonly known as intramural sports, these activities are organized and run by the students themselves. They exist outside of the formal varsity structure, yet they still provide competition and allow for social interaction among peers. Some common examples of intramural sports include flag football, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and soccer.