Interesting Facts about Esports and Gaming in 2022 and 2023

We’ve said it before, but the game industry is ripe with opportunity. Most people need to learn what eSports is, even though eSports take up a considerable chunk of that pie. In a nutshell, the term “eSports” refers to competitive video game playing, where players above a certain skill level can become professional players, join teams, and win prizes in international competitions, much like how professional athletes compete in leagues and tournaments at the national level. The top professional player, Johan Sundstein, has earned nearly $7 million from these tournaments alone. There is a significant gender gap among professional athletes.

It’s been a long time since we held competitions at local arcades. In contrast, the gaming business encompasses not just game devs and publishers but also everyday players like you and me and those who make a living by broadcasting themselves playing video games online—confused by the lack of clarity? Take a look at these shocking eSports facts.

• Global esports gaming revenue is expected to reach $3.5 billion this year

The world of competitive gaming is enormous. This means there’s a lot of cash flowing between players, advertisers, and gaming businesses. The value of the esports industry is predicted to roughly treble from 2016 levels by 2021. Still, the majority of the esports industry is located in Asia. Extremely high prize pools, widespread accessibility through Twitch and other streaming services, and similar factors likely account for this expansion’s success. There is a massive audience for esports because of the 800 million hours of content seen on Twitch last year.

• Esports athletes are comparable to regular athletes

Despite not scoring on astroturf or shooting hoops on gleaming courts, esports players are more like traditional athletes than you think. They spend hours each day practising individually and as a team, like baseball players. Esports broadcasters research rival teams’ techniques and devise “plays” to beat them.

With so many tournaments worldwide (and the need to broadcast online to secure high-paying sponsorships), players have demanding schedules requiring frequent travel.

In addition to training like athletes, pro gamers face career-ending sports injuries. The top stars in esports have retired recently, citing carpal tunnel disease, tennis elbow, trigger finger, and neck problems. These injuries are on the rise among esports broadcasters, according to reports.

1. Esports pros are legal athletes in the US

True, you did read that accurately. Professional status for top esports players is recognised by law. It’s no surprise that winners of high-stakes gaming tournaments are considered among the world’s best players because of the dedication, ability, and sometimes teamwork required to win. Benefits such as reduced tax rates and easier visa acquisition follow those officially recognised as professional athletes.

• Virtually every competitive video game qualifies as an esport

Esports athletes compete in various games, unlike the NFL or MLB. League of Legends, Dota 2, CS: GO, Call of Duty, and Halo are popular professional games. Any competitive game can be an esport. Gamer favorites include StarCraft II and Hearthstone.

Not all esports games are equally wealthy; each tournament draws different audiences and prize pools. Dota 2 players battled for $18 million at The International 2015. Teams played in World of Warcraft Arena at BlizzCon World Championships for $250,000.

• Esports are so popular that Comcast is building a $50 million arena

A first of its kind in the United States, Fusion Arena has the potential to revolutionize competitive video gaming. The Philadelphia-based Fusion Arena can seat 3,500 people for eSports and other events. All building should be done by the year’s end.

• There is a Hall of Fame for esports

The Esports Hall of Fame says a few things. First, esports deserves a hall of fame; second, some gamers have performed well enough for induction.

This Hall of Fame isn’t as famous as the one in Cooperstown, New York, but everything has to start somewhere.

The First Hall of Fame inductees in 2016 were Quake and Counter-Strike legends. Since then, four more players have been inducted, along with one “Special Awards” and one “Community” member. A separate esports Insider Hall of Fame honors “individuals who have made a difference in the esports sector.” Three legends were admitted in June 2019.

• Esports allow children of any age to compete (and earn money!)

If you believe the Guinness Book of World Records, the youngest esports professional ever started playing when he was six. Many gamers may be astonished to find that the record for the largest single-player tournament payout is held by a teenager! Last year, 17-year-old Kyle Giersdorf won the Fortnite World Cup, taking home a nice $3 million prize.

Young people of all ages can participate in esports competitions for enjoyment, to improve their abilities, and even to make a living. Check out our esports summer camps if your kid wants to learn new skills, or enroll them in our Overwatch coaching lessons or Rocket League classes.

An excellent resource for parents interested in learning more about esports is available from Common Sense Media. It’s a beautiful digital pastime, and who knows where the kids’ adventures will take them!

“Get more sports news, cricket news, and football updates, log on to sportsdigest.in. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.”