From Niche Hobby to Global Phenomenon: The Evolution of Esport

Advancements In Technology: The Ultimate Game-Changer

Much of the 21st century has been defined by incredible advancements in technology which has made day-to-day life so much easier and manageable compared to 20-plus years ago.

Improvements in technology have helped limitless economies, industries and businesses flourish even more. This includes the world of esports, which has gone from a simple recreational hobby for millions of people to a global phenomenon.

The planet’s top gamers have garnered fame and millions of dollars through esports as a career, and esports games and leagues of all sorts are watched by countless people around the world.

Esports are so popular that some states in America even allow fans to place wagers on esports matches and leagues. In states like Illinois, sportsbook promos offer great value but the state gaming regulator has not yet authorized esports betting. Only Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee and West Virginia offer full access to esports betting.

Speaking of booming economies, the sports betting world has also enjoyed record growth, usage and attention in the United States. If you’re keen on trying out sports betting in the State of Illinois, you can sign up and take advantage of promos offers like BetMGM’s first bet offer up to $1,000, a $2,500 “No Sweat First Bet” from FanDuel and a second chance wager of up to $500 from BetRivers.

Obviously, there was no way of observing the world’s greatest video game players in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Even for much of the 2000s, it was easier said than done to find videos and highlights of world-class gamers.

Think about YouTube, for example, which didn’t launch until 2005. The broadcasting service allows people around the planet to find videos on just about anything, and that’s obviously how the world’s most prominent esports players have found their fame.

20 years ago, you couldn’t flip to YouTube, Twitch and other popular video services within seconds to watch your favorite gamers. And you certainly couldn’t do it remotely with cell phones and technological devices like tablets the way you can now.

Social media and the internet are used around the world by billions of people annually. If it weren’t for such advancements, there’d be no easy way of discovering and watching the world’s best gamers.

Networking Aspects

There are millions of gamers who use online play across the world. This is a fun way for gamers to meet and interact with folks who enjoy the same hobbies as them.

If you frequently play a game like Call of Duty, League of Legends or the Super Mario franchise, it’s easy to network with other gamers. And since they have the same passion as you, it’s easy to apply social skills over your microphones.

Esports aren’t just for individual recreation. If you’re heavily involved in the gaming world, it’s simple to expand your social network. Not just online, but also had esports events like tournaments, expos and more.

Esports Leagues & Tournaments

The Call of Duty League alone is just a prime example of how much esports have grown in terms of global following and popularity.

Johanna Faries is the employer for this popular esports league that is owned by Activision, the video game making giant. The Call of Duty League was founded in 2020, and it’s on the verge of wrapping up its fourth season.

There are 12 teams in the Call of Duty esports league, 10 of which are based in the United States: The Atlanta FaZe, Vegas Legion, Seattle Surge, Boston Breach, Minnesota RØKKR Florida Mutineers, Los Angeles Thieves, Los Angeles Guerrillas, New York Subliners and OpTic Texas. Canada has one team in the Toronto Ultra, and the United Kingdom has the London Loyal Ravens, based in England’s capital city.

Millions of fans follow the Call of Duty League, which features five in-season tournaments before the playoffs commence. The 2023 Call of Duty League season started in early December and will conclude with the championship showdown this Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The League of Legends World Championship, founded in 2011, is another highly popular esports event that attracts several million viewers annually. And if you enjoy playing sports-related video games, you probably love the tournaments for EA Sports’ installments like Madden, FIFA, NHL, MLB and more.

People find entertainment in watching the world’s best athletes compete in physical contests and games. Well, there are many around the world that also find great entertainment in watching the top video gamers hone their craft.