Is Esports Dying? The Pros and Cons
The esports industry is booming with no signs of slowing down. But are there signs that esports is dying? We explore the pros and cons.
The current state of esports
In recent years, esports has seen a meteoric rise in popularity. However, there are some who believe that the esports industry is beginning to decline. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the current state of esports.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a mixed effect on the world of esports.
On the one hand, many traditional sports leagues have been forced to cancel or postpone their seasons, giving esports a chance to shine. On the other hand, the pandemic has forced many esports events to be cancelled or postponed as well, and has caused some uncertainty about the future of the industry.
Overall, it seems that the coronavirus pandemic has had a negative effect on esports in the short term, but it is too early to tell what its long-term effect will be.
The decline of viewership for some esports
Since the beginning of 2019, there have been many reports detailing the decline in viewership for some of the biggest esports. While some tournaments and events are still seeing growth in both viewership and prize pools, others are struggling to maintain the same level of interest from both fans and sponsors.
The first half of 2019 has seen a decline in viewership for both League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, two of the most popular esports. This is largely due to the fact that there has been a decrease in the number of tournaments and events being held for these games. In addition, some of the biggest events, such as the League of Legends World Championship and the Counter-Strike: Major Championships, have seen a decline in both prize money and viewership.
The decline in viewership for some esports is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be seen as a natural part of any industry, especially one that is still relatively new. However, it is important to monitor this trend closely, as it could have an impact on the future of esports as a whole.
The pros of esports
Some people in the esports industry believe that esports is dying because viewership for some games is down. While it is true that some games are not as popular as they used to be, esports is not dying. In fact, the industry is growing. The global esports market is expected to reach $1.1 billion by 2021.
The potential for esports to be a global sport
While there are many benefits to esports, the potential for it to be a global sport is one of the most exciting.
The traditional sports world is largely defined by geographic boundaries. Fans of a particular team or league are usually only aware of and invested in what is happening within their own country or region. This is not the case with esports.
Because esports is not limited by geography, it has the potential to become a truly global sport. Fans from all over the world can follow their favorite teams and players without having to worry about time zones or language barriers.
This globalization of esports also has the potential to open up new markets for sponsors and advertisers. Traditional sports teams and leagues are usually only able to sell their merchandise and services to fans within their own country or region. However, because esports fans are located all over the world, there is a much larger potential market for sponsors and advertisers.
Ultimately, the globalization of esports has the potential to make it one of the biggest and most popular sports in the world.
The popularity of esports among young people
The popularity of esports has skyrocketed in recent years, especially among young people. A recent report found that 43 percent of millennials say they are interested in watching esports, and that number is only expected to grow. There are a number of reasons for this growing interest, including the fact that esports is a very spectator-friendly sport. You can watch games online or even on television, and many events are held in large arenas that can accommodate thousands of fans.
The other big attraction for young people is the fact that there is big money to be made in esports. Top players can earn millions of dollars in prize money, and even those who aren’t at the very top can still make a good living. This is a far cry from other sports, where only a handful of athletes make really big money. In addition, many companies are now sponsoring esports teams and players, which means that there are even more opportunities to earn money in the sport.
Finally, young people are also drawn to esports because they see it as a sport for the future. Traditional sports such as football or basketball have been around for generations, but esports is still relatively new. This makes it feel more exciting and innovative, and it’s something that young people can really get behind.
The amount of prize money in esports
The amount of prize money in esports has been steadily increasing over the past few years. In 2016, the total prize pool for esports was $493 million. This number is expected to grow to $696 million by 2020. This is a significant increase from the $46 million in prize money that was given out in 2010. The growth of the prize money is one of the main reasons why more and more people are becoming interested in esports.
The increased prize money has led to more organizations and companies sponsoring teams and events. This, in turn, has led to more money being invested into the scene. The increased investment has allowed for better production values and larger events. It has also allowed for more players to be able to make a living off of playing video games.
The increased prize pool has also led to an increase in salaries for professional players. The average salary for a League of Legends player in North America was $105,000 in 2017. The average salary for a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player in Europe was $91,000 in 2017. These numbers are only expected to increase as the scene continues to grow.
The cons of esports
The lack of regulation in esports
The esports industry is still in its infancy, which means that there are very few rules and regulations governing the sport. This lack of regulation has led to some serious problems, such as the use of performance-enhancing drugs, match fixing, and cheating.
Performance-enhancing drugs are a huge problem in esports. Players are often under a lot of pressure to win, and some of them turn to drugs to give them an edge. This can create a very dangerous situation, as players may be taking drugs that they don’t even know are illegal.
Match fixing is another big problem in esports. This is when players or teams agree to fix a match so that one side will lose on purpose. This can be done for money or other reasons. Match fixing can ruin the sport because it takes away from the fairness of the competition.
Cheating is also a major problem in esports. Some players use illegal software or hardware to give themselves an advantage over their opponents. Cheating can lead to unfair matches and can make it hard for players who are trying to play fair to compete.
The lack of stability in esports
The world of esports is one that is constantly changing and evolving. This can be both good and bad, but for the most part, it’s bad. The lack of stability makes it very difficult for players to make a living off of playing video games professionally. For example, a player who is extremely talented at a game like League of Legends may not be able to find a team that is willing to sign him or her because the scene is so unstable. This instability also makes it very difficult for tournament organizers to plan and execute events because they never know when a game will die out or when a new game will become popular.
The lack of recognition for esports athletes
The lack of recognition for esports athletes is one of the biggest cons of the industry. Despite their skills and dedication, professional gamers are often seen as “just playing video games” and are not given the respect that other athletes receive. This lack of recognition makes it difficult for esports athletes to get sponsorships and earn a living wage, which can make it tough to stay in the industry.
