How Competitive Gaming Took Over the World

The competitive gaming industry has enjoyed massive popularity in recent years, and this looks set to continue as more gamers enter the field.

While video games have been popular among consumers since the 1980s, and competitions can be traced back to these early days, it is the proliferation of online gaming access that has taken it to the next level.

Games like FIFA have seen a sharp rise in popularity for online gaming, with players able to compete against people from all around the world.

Online Gaming

The idea of competition in gaming is nothing new, and leaderboards on early arcade games as well as organized tournaments gained popularity in the gaming world. However, the development of online tournaments made it accessible for everyone to compete against other players in games like FIFA, League of Legends, and Valorant, and has created an industry that has grown significantly.

Prize money and sponsorship deals have seen eSports rise to rival alternative sports for the living it can offer the top competitors. Previously, online casino gaming was the most obvious way that players could earn money from online gaming.

Online gambling remains a popular means of making money online, and the sites listed on casinos-not-on-gamstop.com prove to be the best options for those looking for a less restrictive online gambling experience. 

The Rise of Competitive Gaming

Competitive gaming communities around the world have faced different hurdles, while others have enjoyed support from governments that recognized their potential.

The support the South Korean esports industry received from its government has helped it to establish itself as one of the world's leading countries. The government established the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) as a way to regulate competitions and ensure they operate at professional standards. This has helped the industry become a trusted activity, with protections for players.

The government has also spent millions in the development of dedicated eSports arenas and creating a robust infrastructure to support its growth. It was also one of the first countries to recognize the sport and the athletes that dedicate their time to becoming the best.

More countries are beginning to treat esports communities as valuable commodities with bright futures. The multi-million dollar industry has seen the US emerge as the country with the most competitive players, and is now second only to China in earnings, having earned almost $290,000,000 from participation in nearly 22,500 tournaments. 

Global Recognition

The growing popularity of eSports competition has even managed to break beyond the gaming industry and was included at the 2022 Commonwealth Games for the first time. 

Despite the success and popularity of the event, it had been removed from the 2026 Commonwealth Games that was due to take place in Victoria, Australia. However, due to spiralling costs, the Victoria government pulled out of hosting the event and it has since been moved to Glasgow, which last hosted it in 2014.

The last minute change to the host has resulted in a scaled down event being agreed, and the next games will have to consider which sports to invite back. This will give the eSports industry another opportunity and more time to prove its worth. 

With a growing number of internationally recognized competitions set to take place in 2025, eSports is set to cement its place as one of the most exciting new sports on the market.