A Guide to E-Sports for Beginners
If you are an avid gamer or just like to keep up to date with the latest technological advancements, you may have been tempted to tap into the unfamiliar world of e-sports in recent years. It is, in the simplest of terms, a form of competitive sports involving video games that tend to be highly organised and include multiple players. It can also be played amongst both professional players, individual players, or teams. If you are interested in finding out more but are lacking a base layer of knowledge and experience, continue reading to familiarise yourself with a guide to e-sports for beginners.
The types of games played
In order to achieve success in the e-sports universe, you must retain a firm grasp on the types of games that can be played. It may, therefore, benefit you to know that strategy games and multi-player online battle arena games tend to be the most popular choices amongst experienced e-sports gamers. In addition, first-person shooter games and fighter games are also extremely popular genres that involve similar levels of skill and teamwork, and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to respond with quick reflexes. In terms of viewership and prize money, however, multi-player online battle arena games are by far the most popular with teams working together against an opposing team to destroy their base whilst also defending their own. In 2018, for example, the final prize money for the League of Legends World Championship was $6.5 million dollars.
How games are played
In addition to the types of games played, you must also familiarise yourself with how games are played before advancing with your e-sports career. If you are a life-long fan of video game consoles or online platforms with lots of bonuses, for example, you may take to e-sports like a duck to water. If you have little knowledge or experience of the gaming industry, however, it may take a considerable amount of time to adapt to the style of play expected from e-sports gamers. It, essentially, relies on the same set-up as traditional sports tournaments, with commentators providing a running commentary as the match unfolds and a live audience cheering on their favourite gamers, but with the added difference of players being separated and sub-categorised by games, regions, and leagues.
The role of money
In the e-sports world, money plays a central role. It can, however, be difficult to know where it comes from and how it is spent. It may, however, benefit you to know that it mainly stems from viewership and revenue with global game developers, major brands, entrepreneurs, and successful investors amongst the main sources of money in the e-sports world. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that the e-sports industry has grown and developed exponentially as a result of the donation of large sums of money from interested parties with the desire and know-how to help it succeed on a global scale. In the past couple of years alone, it is estimated that the wider e-sports industry has experienced a 30% increase in average annual revenue with the vast majority of its income generated by brand contributions. It is also predicted to continue growing at an accelerated pace with $343 million dollars in revenue now well within reach.
The rise of e-sports betting
In 2018, the increasingly popular sports betting landscape grew to include the relatively recent trend of e-sports betting and, in the years since, it has become an extremely profitable market in several continents throughout the world. It was in 2019, however, when it was suggested that e-sports were slowly becoming a spectator sport with the potential for large crowds forcing the e-sports industry to re-evaluate their existing income streams and shift their focus to the entertainment aspect of the sport. This excited both sports betting fans and platforms all over the world and led to a number of high-profile partnerships between online casinos and sportsbooks with lots of bonuses and fantasy sports platforms as the trend continued to gain traction.
The importance of communication
If you are considering a career in e-sports either on an amateur or professional level, you must understand the importance of communication beforehand. If you have chosen a game, for example, it may benefit you to reach out to fellow players or opponents to form a deeper connection with them and ask them any questions or queries you may have before you get started. It may sound like a nerve-wracking experience from start to finish but it can allow you to form connections and network with like-minded individuals from the comfort of your own home. It can also lead to you receiving more invites to team-based games and sharpening your skills against worthy opponents between matches. It may also be worth joining a suitable team or league and competing in smaller competitions to spread the word and boost awareness of your skills with recruiters often lurking for up-and-coming players during these contests.
The power of practice
In the e-sports world, as well as the wider sporting world, practice makes perfect. If you have a passion for gaming, it may not even feel as if you are practising but merely participating in an interest or hobby. This is especially important if you have your sights set on international success or global domination within the weird and wonderful world of e-sports. If you are committed to climbing the ranks and bettering yourself as a player, you must practice long and hard and envision your long-term goals in the process. This includes mastering the various intricacies involved, adopting a unique strategy, and, perhaps most importantly, striving to do better at every step of the way.
If you are interested in taking up e-sports, there are a number of factors you must consider beforehand. This includes the types of games played, how games are played, the role of money, the rise of e-sports betting, the importance of communication, and, last but certainly not least, the power of practice.
