Esports has absolutely exploded on a global scale in recent years, going from an obscure passion project for geeks to one of the fastest rising trends affecting literally millions upon millions of players and viewers all over the world. Esports — competitive video gaming at an amateur or professional level, and usually in front of large live audiences online play as well. The sensation of esports has grown in the most epic way, as several formations have invaded different segments and contributed to bringing new genres to this crowded planet.
Esports is not just composed of fast game shooters, but also includes “Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)”, which requires the cooperation and strategy between five people as well. While the gameplay is part of it, what differentiates esports from something like CS:GO or PUBG has nothing to do with how the games are played and everything to do with high level competition and large cash prizes that pull casual players in as well. The esports area has also witnessed great investments, the making of gaming records as prize money that is on provide in these tournaments does not stop preceding heights.
Esports make something for everyone, even if you have been playing games all of your life or are just starting. Here, we delve deep to find the most played esports titles in every genre — and what sets them apart from others on this basis.
Top Esports Games by Genre
MOBA or Multiplayer Online Battle Arena
League of Legends (LoL)
There is no doubt around the worldwide popularity of League of Legends (LoL) amongst esports games. A very popular esports games free-to-play MOBA designed and published by Riot Games, with millions of players daily. We would be remiss to exclude the competitive side of LoL, and iconic tournaments like the League Worlds (League of Legends World Championship), regularly draw in millions just for domestic live broadcasts! Five players matchup on teams that use a blend of strategy and skill to beat the other team.
Balanced, frequent updates on a variety of champions all add to the community perspective and make LoL enjoyable for many players. The Legends Championship Series — also organized by Riot Games — would be an other-is-best-case of one to have plenty of good types commence the entire world tournament and play with respect to at least a few customs regions that are competing needed for both dignity in addition to another massive prize pool.
Dota 2
The depth of Dota 2, another MOBA juggernaut, is shown by the high skill ceiling and near-unlimited complexity. Dota 2 created by Valve Corporation – this is a game that requires high-level strategic skills, exact mechanics and perfect teamwork. Millions of these dollars are given to the top teams who gain international fame for their performance, none more so than at The International—the game’s biggest tournament with its record-breaking prize pools. This tournament is a massive staple in the world of eSports, pulling not only players to compete but also fantastic crowds watching some of the hypest matches when they stream.
Other MOBAs
League of Legends and Dota 2 are the undisputed kings in the MOBA space but other heavyweight esports titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang or Arena of Valor have carved their own place. This was a result of having massive competitive scenes—though these competition based communities are certainly growing in size and prize money the world over, especially within Southeast Asia.
First-Person Shooters (FPS)
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS)
Of course, if you are really into games and esports in general it is known for playing the famous CS (Counter-Strike) 1. CS was made by Valve Corporation and
based on its tactical gameplay where there are two teams of five players each, and these go through several graded stages with goals such as planting or defusing bombs. The game’s competitive scene has a long history with huge tournaments such as the Majors becoming some of the most-watched events in esports.
CS:GO
has remained popular for years due to its high level of strategic play and competitive integrity, as well as strong player / fan base. The prize pools for CS
Meanwhile, their tournaments are some of the biggest in all esports–solidifying its top tier status as an esport.
Valorant
One of the newer titles in buffs, Valorant is a game developed by Riot Games that has come on to the FPS esports scene. Valorant provides a twist on the FPS genre by combining tactical shooting with original character abilities. With a number of Tier 1 tournaments already taking place and an increasing number of esports organizations signing Valorant teams, there has been rapid growth for the competitive side of the game.
Other FPS Games
Some of the other big FPS games that can be found in esports are Overwatch, Call of Duty and Rainbow Six Siege. These games are completely different, be it hero-based gameplay (Overwatch), fast-paced action and re-spawning mechanism(Call of Duty) or the tactical destruction mechanics (Rainbow Six Siege). Living up to that pedigree, they are staples of the competitive gaming world, enjoying dedicated followings and lucrative purses.
Battle Royale
Fortnite
Being a battle royale, Fortnite developed by Epic Games is one of the most played esports games. A game that has been making headlines for over a year now is Fortnite, and the reason people are talking about it even more lately is because of its colorful graphics, regular updates and unusual building mechanics? it started off slow however seems to be picking up some considerable momentum. The esports scene for the game is huge, with massive tournaments that pay handsomely and draw big crowds.
The key to Fortnite is its availability and the story of a game that remains greatly unique, refreshed continuously enough to make it tasteful for all parties playing it. The Fortnite competitive play is fierce with players and teams competing in a wide variety of game modes, ranging from solo battles to squad-based matches.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
PUBG was and still is one of the titans that drive the battle royale genre, being another take on this ever-popular model. The game is known for its realistic gameplay, where 100 players parachute onto an island and must fight to the death to be the last player or team standing; it has become a strong title in esports. The competitive scene of the game hosts many global tournaments, in which teams from all over the world compete for large prize pools.
While the notion of PUBG as a game that presented battle royale to AAA development seems at first mildly unfair, once ego is shaved off it becomes apparent how its influence on both genre and industry were just so great. With the competitive nature of this game, it is ranked highly and has some quite high tactical depth.
Apex Legends
In the limited time it has been available, Apex Legends — developed by Respawn Entertainment -has become one of the hottest esports games around in battle royale. A fast-paced shooter featuring innovative gameplay abilities and team-based strategy. In a similarly non-conventional move from designer Respawn, Apex Legends has seen the competitive scene evolve organically since launch with regular and often community-driven tournaments.
The crossover battle royale with some hero-based action is a game changer to many people who played the TBG for the first time. That’s where the real fun is in Apex Legends; thrilling competitive play that pits 20 teams of three players each against one another to be crowned best squad standing.
Sports Games
FIFA
FIFA is a name that holds global recognition in the esports sector,for sports games. FIFA, just not a game, it’s an emotion; composed by EA Sports. Unlike all the other games listed here, FIFA enjoys a uniqueness in being able to actually simulate what is easily… the world’s biggest sport: football. FIFA, or soccer as you call it stateside in America (#butnotonGoogle), accurately brings the excitement, strategy and unpredictability of the game which sets itself apart from most other games played today.
The FIFA eWorld Cup is the highest level of competitive gaming here, bringing together top-tier players from around the world to square off and battle it out for large prize pots while vying for recognition as a legitimate contender in this ever-growing industry. With over a million views to the final alone, it is clear that FIFA attracts millions in terms of viewing figures on its journey at the esports console. Through realistic gameplay, FIFA licensing (from leagues to individual player likenesses), and the comfort of being allowed to take your favorite teams on beautiful dreams while playing as them has created a bridge blending traditional sports with esports in perfect harmony. It plays well into what people want out of their competitive gaming experience globally.
NBA 2K
Another titan in the sports category would be NBA 2K — a game that has transcended into some of the top dedicated esports leagues. Published by 2K Sports, NBA 2K is a truly realistic online basketball simulation type of video game that appeals to casual gamers as well as hardcore fans all alike. The game is also becoming increasingly more recognized in the esports scene, led by the NBA 2K League.
The NBA 2K League, an official esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive, is a unique gaming experience for players & viewers alike. The league functions like typical sports leagues with a regular season followed by playoffs culminating in a championship where teams compete for significant cash prizes. Spronk says this strategy contributed to NBA 2K finding a place in the competitive scene, resulting in it being one of the biggest sports esports games on earth.
Fighting Games
Street Fighter
Street Fighter is a name everyone knows in regards to fighting games, and it has been a staple ever since the inception of the genre. This game was created by Capcom, and it has a significant history in the world of competitive gaming since its arcade origins. This is helped by Street Fighter’s standout characters, all with their own fighting style and tactical depth that has been relevant for (nearly) 30 years.
EVO — the Evolution Championship Series, and it is the biggest street fighter game tournament in not only having a bunch of prize pools but also attracting top players who come from all over to compete in most prestige fighting games events. Street Fighter has a pretty significant esports legacy behind it, with huge tournaments boasting big cash prizes and high-stakes competition for players around the world. The one true legend of esports games, nothing has endured as long or done so much for the gaming world with their fighting game series Street Fighter.
Tekken
One more title developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, Tekken belongs to an elite lineage of fighting games. Tekken is not foreign to the event, boasting an intricate combat system accompanied by deep gameplay mechanics and a large roster of characters which has cultivated a fierce following in the competitive gaming community. This introduces challenges due to the game being grounded in timing, motion and strategy which separates Virtual-On from other fighters.
The Tekken World Tour is the game’s marquee competitive initiative, a sequence of multi-tournament circuits and/or emotionally charged caps to international competition where top-tier players from all corners compete for global–well not THE world yet… you get it complete. With its long history, continued innovation and clear support from the developer Tekken shows no signs of going anywhere soon on the eSports stage as one of top eSports games in the Fighting Game genre.
Collectible Card Games (CCGs)
Legends of Runeterra
Another excellent card game in the CCG genre is Legends of Runeterra by Riot Games. Taking place within the same universe as League of Legends, this makes it a must-play for fans who enjoy both card games and some information about their favorite heroes. Unique mechanics, such as the ability to control matches based on wits and gameplay rather than pure RNG that are not present in most other card games.
Legend of Runeterra competes on an ever-expanding calendar with regular Riot Games tournaments and events. And the game’s tie-in to League of Legends and its strategic nature has given it a bit more purchase in esports circles. With Legends of Runeterra offering a unique take on the genre as well as being set in one of most beloved esports games, it is definitely worth checking out.
Magic: The Gathering Arena
Magic: The Gathering Arena is a digital version of the classic collectible card game carrier Magic: The Gathering, which has been one of the genre for decades. Magic: The Gathering Arena | Image Credit: WotC Magic the gathering (Wizards of the Coast)As a video game adaptation from Wizards of the coast, elements seen in action show off how rich and detailed this world is by providing us with high stakes matches that simulate real life card experience using top virtual cards.
Esports scene is doing well, with the Magic Pro League and Mythic Championship having big paydays for top-performers to show their talents. A stand out among the word of esports would be Magic: The Gathering Arena, due to its depth when it comes to gameplay mechanics and because of how long it has been around in comparison to other games. With the game free to change and evolve with time it holds onto its place – a good one at that, for fans of collectible card games.
Factors That Make a Great Esports Game
What a game has to do in order for it to be considered as an esport is another topic, and there are several key angles. These are important aspects for not just the players but viewers as well who play a significant role in making games popular and successful in esport. These are a few basic necessities of it.
Competitive Balance
Balanced competition is perhaps the most critical component for any esport game to achieve success. In a competitive field such as esports, where skill and strategy should be the only factors deciding matches it is highly important that no one person or team gets an unfair advantage from having unbalanced gameplay. Fairness is the lifeblood of competitive gaming–where players or teams are judged solely on individual skill, strategy and teamwork and not because a particular character, weapon or team has been given an overt advantage based purely upon game mechanics.
League of Legends or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are the best examples. But what makes these games giants in esports is how they level the playing field, only skill matters on a perfectly even ground. Riot Games and Valve Corporation offer tweaks to their games on a regular basis in order to always keep things balanced, as developers spare no expense when it comes to fair competition. It is this delicate balance that causes these games to maintain their global status as the most popular esports.
Spectator Experience
A good esports game has to be fun, but being a spectator-sport is just as important. Another key element behind the boom of esports games is spectator experience. It combines engaging visuals, concise commentary and good gameplay together to bring in as many viewers.
Look at Rocket League and its Rocket League Championship Series. While these aspects might scare off delicate beginners, this is exactly why others love them — PUBG Mobile has a satisfying bunch of precise combat mechanics that are easy to follow and make the game entertaining even if you do not understand what happens behind all detailed workings. The Overwatch League, by contrast, is fantastic because of how beautiful and readable the game can be with its vivid cast of characters running around in unambiguous dynamic action.
The International for Dota 2, and the smite World Championship of League Of Legends go even further by providing expert commentary to help explain/analyze what is happening across these games both seasoned fans AND newcomers. The ability to draw players in and sustain a highly passionate audience through combining engaging gameplay, expert commentary, visual artistry together has resulted in large esports scenes.
Accessibility
In order for an esport game to be successful, it must straddle that line between easy to learn and hard to master. It is necessary for this accessibility as it appeals to newcomers and keeps veterans interested.
Fortnite and Apex Legends are the best games that strike such a balance. Vikrant explains, ‘These battle royale games can easily be adopted by new players with simple mechanics and low entry barriers. But they are also played competitively, and mastering them — knowing the best strategies to use when given a weapon or situation, aiming precisely against opponents with more health than you think possible for an ordinary shooter (or even just hitting that juicy headshot) is very challenging indeed.
Developer Support
Such support includes pushing out regular updates, bug fixes and providing fresh content while continuously communicating with the community. Games with developers that are truly invested in the game themselves help to keep things fun and engaging for players; this in turn, helps make sure there is a steady stream of people playing.
Take a look at how much love Riot Games pours into LoL, for example. There are balance changes every [one-or-two weeks], with new champions and a slew of seasonal events that keep the game from ever feeling stale (even well over 100 games later). Likewise, Blizzard Entertainment continues to maintain Overwatch and its Overwatch League as a more vibrant competitive esport experience with fresh heroes, maps and balance patches find incentives such that may improve the game.
The Future of Esports Games
The future Looks so bright for the world of Esports! Add in the rise of new genres, convergence with emerging technologies and continued growth of esports, it is exciting to see what Wonderstorm can do going forward.
Emerging Genres
For example, Mobile esports is coming up in a big way especially in regions like South Asia and Southeast Asia. PUBG Mobile and also, the likes of targeting breakout hits just like in the vein of esports first supergames on outstanding gadgets that are able to be played by millions mobile troops who may not vitiate expensive gaming machines or consoles. The capabilities of smartphones are increasing at astonishing rates,and networks continue to get faster, more mobile-friendly eSports iterations will become a game changer in the global eSports market.
VR/AR esports: exciting area. But this is still very early days and the scope for what might be possible with fully immersive VR esports experiences would appear to be vast. VR technology due to the nature of how immersive it is, when used properly by games, can provide brand new ways for competition and interactions in a virtual world,where fans are not only going there themselves but also watching them on their screens.
Technological Advancements
The future of esports games is likely to be shaped largely by technological advancements. Over time, the games and how we play them will evolve with technology.
One bubble to keep an eye on is cloud gaming. Now, with all the cash from Google, Microsoft and Nvidia pouring into game streaming services we could have esport games that might not need high-end hardware to be played on. That could potentially open up competitive gaming to an even broader audience, which would mean more people enjoying the wonders of esports regardless of where they game.
Similarly, esports could be affected by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, to build more complex training tools for players or to help lift the level of game design possible — and it could offer entirely new types of entertainment in AI-driven esports competitions.
Growing Popularity
Esports has grown so much over a ten-year period that it might just take an overlay comparison tool. The more esport grows, it seems likely the closer to mainstream it will come with larger audiences and prize-pools overall which means new ways for players/teams/orgs/etc.
For instance, Esports has been on the rise in India and people are starting to get involved with both playing & watching games related to esports. With high-speed internet more readily and affordably available than ever, along with the prevalence of smartphones at an all-time high- competing in esports has never been easier. Given the surge we have seen in competitive gaming among this age group, an increase is imminent and 2018 looks to be a pivotal year not only for esports but also all sectors relevant.
Conclusion
The appeal of esports games cannot be overlooked, it is not just a source of entertainment but an international epic that keeps growing and changing. Every aspect from what makes a great esport game, with competitive balance, spectator experience and accessibility among them all the way to an exciting future ahead of us alongside emerging genres and technological developments — it seems like we are far from scratching the surface where possibilities in esports worlds are considered.
If you’re a competitive veteran, following loyally or stopping in for the first time — right now is an excellent chance to jump into esports. This is a great good, as there are so many options to choose from and that too diverse ones. What are you waiting for, have a look at the games that interest and join in with one of the fastest growing communities being built today.
