As of 2017, the eSports market was estimated at $1.26 billion USD – a staggering figure by any measure!
The meteoric rise in popularity of e-sports has been nothing short of astonishing. According to recent estimates, it is projected that by 2021 the industry could be worth more than $2.5 billion USD with viewership figures climbing spectacularly; currently nearing 68 million viewers per month across channels such as Twitch! If this trend continues then we can expect even greater numbers in future years too!
What’s driving this explosive growth? Let’s take a look at the major factors responsible for making eSports so popular and examine how they can transform your business for good.
eSports are Big Business
In the span of only a few years, eSports have become an immensely popular choice for spectators and players alike. Such massive growth has inevitably led to lucrative matches between top professionals as well as leagues that command attention from all spectrums of society – be they casual viewers or avid competitors!
In recognition of its success and popularity, eSports have been granted recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2016.
The rapid increase in viewership during major tournaments like ESL One Cologne (2018), in which over 600 thousand viewers tuned in with peak concurrent viewership reaching 1.3 million desktop users per minute – was nothing short of exceptional! This figure is indicative of just how far eSports have come since their inception into this world; with many more fans finding out about it each day!
eSports Aren’t Just for Kids
eSports is an exciting and dynamic sport for both casual gamers and those more serious about their craft. For those new to the scene, consider taking a stroll down memory lane with some of these historical eSports Champions:
In 2000, German speedskater Robert Kerschbaumer was crowned the World Cup Speed Skating Champion while competing in his home country. Later that year he would return to compete at the Winter Olympics, where he went on to win Gold Medals across several disciplines including cross-country long distance skating.
German gamer and 2014 ‘pro’ StarCraft II world champion, Grzegorz ‘MaNa’ Komincz claimed the crown during an era dominated by rival Koreans. He would go on to be one of only three non-Koreans that have ever competed under the flag of another nation in the prestigious event, alongside 2009’s member of Team Canada Kevin ‘RotterdaM’ van der Kooi and 2012’s member of Team Sweden Olof ‘oliOLOlo’ Jonsson – all achieving victory!
Last but not least, we can’t forget about China’s gaming triumphs in 2010. The country was declared winner at the International Dota 2 Championships held at The Chongqing Creators Convention Center in her hometown, where she triumphed over Korean competitor Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein – one of whom later became 2017’s Dota 2 International runner-up!
With titles such as these to its name, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that competition between nations is fierce; even though individuals may excel above all others on an individual basis, there is always room for improvement as teams strive to place first against their counterparts.
Today’s Best eSports Players Make Money From Their Gameplay
To become an elite eSports player, one must possess adept gaming skills and reach the pinnacle of professional competition. These players are among the most skilled in the world and regularly take home renowned championships with their teams.
With a few exceptions, most gamers can appreciate the wealth amassed by their favorite eSports athletes. Indeed, many of these individuals’ income streams stem from winnings! In fact, over half of them rely solely on this source to sustain themselves as they pursue their dreams. Why not join that illustrious cohort? Not only is it lucrative but also very satisfying!
Top eSports Earn as Much as Professional Athletes and Actors
Professional athletes and actors may find themselves competing in the eSports arena at times, but they can’t claim to be doing so with their profession.
Notwithstanding professional athlete endorsements like Coca-Cola and Nike, eSports competitors can expect to earn salaries commensurate with other top athletes and Hollywood actors. At present there are over 2.2 million people across the globe earning their livings from playing video games. Interestingly, this figure does not include those that engage in online gaming for a living!
Top earners in esports are expected to make upwards of $50k – $100k per year, while mid-ranked players can anticipate annual paychecks of approximately $15-$30k. Even entry-level wage-earners could be receiving anywhere between $8-$12 an hour if they choose to put in some time on their hands!
ESports Are Growing Very Quickly
It’s no surprise that the eSports industry is growing at an astounding rate. With worldwide revenues expected to exceed $1 billion in 2022, it may not be long before this phenomenon becomes a household name.
Even if you’ve never ventured into competitive gaming, it’s likely your interest has been piqued by now. With millions of avid gamers and casual spectators around the world engaged in eSports events every year – across multiple platforms like PC, console and mobile – there is surely something within reach for everyone!
With numbers like these, we can confidently say that competitive gaming is here to stay.
eSports Will Be TV-Ready in 2017
With the influx of investment, professional teams, and media coverage over the past decade, eSports have grown at an exponential rate. In 2016 alone, 2 billion hours of eSports content was consumed by over 1 billion viewers worldwide – a number that continues to soar as new fans are brought in each day!
In 2017, more than 100 million people will tune in for live eSports broadcasts, making it ripe for television production. This leaves plenty of potential opportunities for brands looking to reach out to their target audiences across all platforms – from Twitch streams to YouTube channels to even Instagram profiles!
There are More Than 200 Million eSports Fans Worldwide
Across the globe, there are more than 200 million eSports fans, with over 300 million expected to tune-in within two years’ time.
To put that figure into perspective, consider this. If we were to gather all of the video gaming enthusiasts across the globe into one place and measure them against each other, they would constitute an enormous audience. World renowned businesses like Disney and Coca-Cola have even recognized the size of this industry and have launched initiatives aimed at exploiting its potential.
Unsurprisingly then, many organizations are seeking out ways to capitalize on eSports and harness its popularity. Major corporations like Alibaba, Coca-Cola and Google have invested in established teams or sponsored championships; while Amazon recently launched their own league which invites gamers from around the world to compete for cash prizes.
Conclusion
eSports have experienced an exponential growth spurt, fueled by the rise of internet accessibility. More and more people are now being introduced to this exciting field via online streaming platforms like Twitch, which has become the backbone for professional and amateur eSports competitions alike!
With the enthusiasm for eSports on the rise, both in and outside of the gaming community, those interested in joining should not delay their pursuit any longer.
