What Started Esports and Why It’s So Popular

Esports has been around for a while, but it’s only recently blown up in popularity. In this post, we explore what started esports and why it’s become so popular.

The Origins of Esports

The concept of organized video gaming competitions, or esports, has been around for decades. However, it has only recently begun to gain mainstream popularity. So, what started esports and why is it so popular?

The First Esports Tournament

The first esports tournament took place in October 1972 at Stanford University. Students competed in a game of Spacewar, with the winner taking home a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.

Since then, esports has grown exponentially in popularity. Today, there are professional teams and players all over the world, and tournaments with huge cash prizes. The largest prize pool in esports history is $34 million, which was awarded at The International 2017, a Dota 2 tournament.

So what started this global phenomenon? Let’s take a look at the origins of esports and how it has evolved over time.

The Growth of Esports

The growth of esports over the last decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. According to a report by Newzoo, the global esports economy was valued at $696 million in 2017 and is expected to grow to $1.5 billion by 2020. That’s an annual growth rate of approximately 22%.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rapid growth of esports. One is the increasing availability of high-speed internet connections, which has made it possible for people to livestream and watch esports competitions online.

Another factor is the increasing popularity of video games, especially among millennials. According to a report by Forbes, millennials now spend more money on gaming than any other demographic group. This has made them an attractive target for brands and sponsors looking to tap into the growing esports market.

Finally, the rise of social media platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming has also played a role in the growth of esports. These platforms have made it easier for gamers to connect with each other and share their love for gaming.

The Popularity of Esports

Esports has quickly become a popular phenomenon all over the world. But what started this trend? The first recorded esports event took place in 1972 at Stanford University. Students played a game called Spacewar. The prize was a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.

The Rise of Twitch

In the past decade, we’ve seen a rise in the popularity of esports. One of the key driving forces behind this is the live streaming platform Twitch. Twitch allows gamers to livestream their gameplay to an audience of millions of people. This has given rise to a new generation of gaming celebrities, who can make a living off of playing video games and streaming their gameplay online.

Twitch has also been a driving force behind the popularity of esports. Esports are organized, competitive videogame tournaments that are often broadcasted live on Twitch. These events attract millions of viewers, and the top players can earn hefty prize money. The rise of esports has given rise to a new industry, with professional gamers signed to teams, sponsorships, and gaming leagues.

While some people may view esports as a frivolous pursuit, there’s no denying that it’s a huge industry with a global audience. And it all started with Twitch.

The Growth of Mobile Gaming

Mobile gaming is one of the fastest growing sectors in the gaming industry, and it is no wonder why. With the increasing power and capabilities of smartphones and tablets, mobile gaming can offer a console-quality gaming experience on the go. In addition, mobile games are usually much more affordable than their console or PC counterparts, and they can be played anytime, anywhere.

It is no surprise, then, that mobile esports are also on the rise. Mobile esports are competitive tournaments for mobile games, and they are usually played on smartphones or tablets. As with traditional esports, mobile esports offer players the chance to compete for prize money and bragging rights. But because mobile games are usually much simpler and shorter than console or PC games, mobile esports tend to be more accessible to casual players and spectators alike.

Mobile esports are still in their infancy, but they are already growing rapidly in popularity. According to Newzoo, a leading esports market research firm, there will be nearly 500 million mobile gamers worldwide by 2021, up from just over 400 million in 2017. And with the rising popularity of mobile gaming comes the rise of mobile esports. Newzoo estimates that there will be nearly 200 million mobile esport enthusiasts by 2021, up from just over 100 million in 2017.

With its massive player base and global reach, mobile gaming is poised to take the esport world by storm. And with its simple gameplay and easy-to-understand rulesets, mobile esports could very well be the gateway for a new generation of gamers to enter the world of competitive gaming.

The Future of Esports

The future of esports is looking very bright. By 2020, the global esports market is expected to be worth over $1.5 billion, and the number of esports fans is expected to exceed 500 million. This rapid growth is being driven by a combination of factors, including the increasing popularity of online gaming, the rise of mobile gaming, and the growing acceptance of esports as a legitimate form of competitive entertainment.

As esports continue to grow in popularity, we can expect to see more investment from both traditional sports organizations and corporations outside of the gaming industry. This will lead to more professionalized teams and leagues, bigger prize pools for tournaments, and more mainstream media coverage. We may also see the emergence of new genres of games specifically designed for competitive play.

Whether you’re a casual observer or a hardcore fan, there’s no doubt that esports are here to stay. So sit back and enjoy the show!