Esports, or organized competitive video gaming, has exploded from a niche hobby to a mainstream form of entertainment with millions of passionate fans globally. The esports industry generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2021, and that number is expected to grow to $1.6 billion by 2024 according to market research firm Newzoo.
The rising popularity of live-streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming has allowed viewership of top esports events to skyrocket, with some tournaments drawing over 70 million live viewers. Let‘s explore what‘s driving this tremendous growth and spotlight some of the must-play esports titles across key genres that amateurs and professionals alike should be loading up.
MOBAs – Strategy-Focused Mayhem
Multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) are a genre of team-based strategy games featuring matches between two teams trying to penetrate each other‘s bases and demolish critical objectives. MOBAs like League of Legends (LoL), Dota 2, and Smite emphasize tactical play, coordination between teammates in various classes/roles, and mastery of unique hero characters.
LoL in particular has dominated the esports scene for much of the past decade thanks to developer Riot Games‘ early investment into leagues and tournaments. The 2021 LoL World Championship drew over 73 million peak live viewers, shattering esports viewership records with an exhilarating five game finals between Korean dynasty DWG KIA and first-time finalists EDward Gaming from China.
While LoL remains the most popular MOBA, Valve‘s Dota 2 and its annual tournament The International boast the richest prize pools in all of esports. The 2021 International had a jaw-dropping $40 million prize pool, with winners Team Spirit from Russia taking home $18.2 million – the single biggest payout in competitive gaming history!
For gamers looking to try out the MOBA genre, both LoL and Dota 2 have thriving communities and feature robust tutorials for newcomers. But be prepared to endure steep learning curves on the road to mastery!
First-Person Shooters (FPS) – Nonstop Adrenaline Rushes
First-person shooters (FPS) feature matches between 2 teams viewed from a first-person visual perspective. FPS rely heavily on reaction time, precision aim, and gunplay mechanics rather than complex strategy to create intense, gripping gameplay.
Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Call of Duty, Overwatch, Rainbow Six Siege, and VALORANT make up some of the marquee FPS titles in the esports industry. Tournaments for franchises like CS:GO and Call of Duty are highlights of the esports calendar each year, with CS:GO major PGL Major Antwerp 2022 peaking at over 2 million concurrent viewers.
A standout pro FPS player is Finn "karrigan" Andersen, a legendary Danish CS:GO player and captain of FaZe Clan, one of the top teams in the world. Despite competing professionally since 2012, karrigan‘s leadership and clutch plays were instrumental in FaZe‘s dramatic run to win the 2022 PGL Antwerp Major and cement his status as an all-time great.
For those looking to test their aim, games like VALORANT or Call of Duty thanks to their more accessible mechanics are great FPS titles for casual players to try out and get hooked on the adrenaline-fueled action.
Battle Royales – Who Can Survive Against All Odds
The wildly popular battle royale genre throws 100+ players into a map where they scavenge for weapons and gear and battle to be the last player/team standing. Top titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and PUBG Mobile have tapped into the appeal of survival-style gameplay and unpredictable emergent stories that develop with so many competitors fighting for supremacy.
Fortnite from developer Epic Games has built its brand beyond just the in-game experience, with virtual concerts, narrative-driven live events, and collaborations with major pop culture IPs like Marvel that keep fans deeply engaged with the ever-evolving world of Fortnite. It has forged its own competitive scene that stands apart from established esports ecosystems.
The 2019 Fortnite World Cup was a cultural milestone for gaming, with 16-year-old Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf winning the solo competition finals and taking home $3 million from a $30 million overall prize pool. Fortnite provides a lower barrier to entry for casual gamers to experience battle royale gameplay while also maintaining elite competitive depth at the highest levels.
Growth Trends and Future Trajectories
Esports expanded beyond expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with traditional sports shutting down and fans turning towards competitive gaming broadcasts to get their entertainment fix. Now the momentum of viewership growth, tournament prize pools, sponsor investments and more show no signs of slowing even after traditional sports have resumed.
Newzoo projects that there will be just under 600 million monthly esports viewers by 2024. Prizing will also hit new heights, with their model estimating over $600M being paid out by 2024. And major investments from brands not endemic to gaming like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Spotify, and State Farm also showcase the surging mainstream popularity and attractive demographics attached to esports.
While titles like League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive have dominated much of the history of competitive gaming, new genres and franchises are disrupting the hierarchy. VALORANT marks Riot Games‘ explosive entry into tactical FPS titles, while Multiversus‘ unique blend of platform fighter and 2v2 team gameplay attracts fighting game fans and more casual gamers alike. Savvy organizations in the esports industry will move decisively in response to shifting trends among both audiences and the games themselves in coming years.
Final Tips for Getting Started
For those looking to dip their toes into esports as players, checking out well-established titles like League of Legends and VALORANT that combine gameplay depth with strong tutorial systems is the way to go. Building PC gaming skills through aim trainers and honing game sense over time is key. Most importantly, find friends to play and learn alongside to maximize the fun!
If interested in the viewing side, discover rising talent to support early and your favorite esports personalities on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming first. Then expand into watching professional matches and full tournaments featuring elite teams once familiar with the basics. Finding viewing companions and communities to cheer along with makes enjoying esports broadcasts even better.
The soaring rise of esports challenges perceptions of what makes a sport or a pastime worth dedicating hours of devotion and passion towards. There is no signs of slowing down for competitive gaming‘s ascent into mainstream consciousness thanks to must-see titles that turn casual players into deeply engaged fans.
