Esports may feel like something that has come about more recently, but their origins of esports date back as far as the 1950s. Although a player-versus-computer game had been created that decade, the first multiplayer game, “Tennis for Two,” came about in 1958 and is considered the first esports game.
In the 1960s, an esports-like tournament would take place. Later, in the 1970s, the world would see a gaming console, and in the 1980s, gaming would become even more competitive in the form of high score lists. Improvements in technology in the 1990s would bring esports to the masses, with PCs and networks playing a prominent role. Later that decade, in 1999, at the “Gamers Gathering” in Duisburg, Germany, more than 1600 players from all over Europe would meet to play games against each other.
Come the Noughties and t esports really took off. In 2000, in Seoul, South Korea, the first “World Cybergames” were held. This paved the way for more esports tournaments to start taking place in the world, such as the first Electronic Sports World Cup, in Poitiers, France, in 2003.
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The growth of esports
Esports are growing huge. According to data on the website of consumer and market data Statista, the value of the global esports market was approximately just over 1.08 billion US dollars in 2021. This was an increase of 50% on 2020. Revenue from the market is expected to climb to around 1.62 billion in 2024.
In terms of audience sizes, stats also reflect the huge popularity of esports. Again, according to data on the Statista website, the worldwide audience for esports hit 474 million people as of 2021. Experts expect this figure to grow even bigger as people tune in to watch some of the world’s finest gamers play the viewers’ favorite games.
Esports in different disciplines around the world
The growth of esports has seen esports emerge in different sports around the world. In fact, esports have earned so much popularity that even the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recognized them. In a huge step for virtual sports, the IOC partnered with five international sports federations and game publishers in 2021 to create the Olympic Virtual Series (OVS). Motor racing, sailing, cycling, baseball and rowing were all part of the series.
According to research by internet-based market research and data firm YouGov, 13% of global consumers across 17 global markets tuned in to watch at least some of the events in this series. Viewership in the Middle East and Asian markets was especially strong: India (33%), the United Arab Emirates (33%), Indonesia (27%), China (25%) and Hong Kong (17%), whereas in North America and the European markets the following was a little weaker. Only 9% of US consumers and only 2% of UK consumers had watched any of the games.
Meanwhile, one of the best known esports providers in Germany is the Electronic Sports League (ESL). This Cologne-based company offers tournaments and leagues in more than 50 different disciplines. ESL One, which takes place in Cologne, is one tournament, but not the only one, as you’ll also find ESL One tournaments have taken place in other parts of the world such as Katowice, in Poland, in 2015: and Belo Horizonte, in Brazil, in 2018.
What’s behind the popularity of esports?
So what could be fueling this explosion in popularity of esports?
One factor has been esports betting, a good online sportsbook is now compelled to offer Esports betting markets due to the rise. Esports lends themselves more clearly to betting, which relies on data to inform the odds and outcomes. These sports can provide customers with a superior betting experience because the data relating to the game receives instant distribution and is updated by the millisecond.
Another factor has been the gargantuan market for video gaming. Gamers are passionate about their hardware and titles. Some titles have millions of fans across the world. Gamers who have invested in a specific title or genre are more likely to engage live streaming of titles, either for entertainment or to pick up tips and techniques so they can improve their gaming.
Esports also help to foster a thriving gaming community. Good esports streaming platforms not only allow spectators to follow the action, but also to communicate with each other. Often, this is in the form of text-based chat to avoid distracting viewers from what’s happening on the screen and to stop them from missing any live commentary going on during the event.
Esports have come a long way since their origins in the 1950s, and they look set to keep growing. Have you considered following esports? Why not give them a try and see how you find them?