Esports expert, and Esports Business Foundations instructor, Kyle Chatterson breaks down some interesting facts to help you wrap your head around this internet phenomenon.
Esports represents a broad competitive gaming space; essentially, this term encompasses any online game played competitively, or for the pleasure of others. There are esports leagues all over the globe, with competitions ranging from beginner, to regional, to World Championships, just like physical sports. One very popular example you may have heard of is called League of Legends, however there are many games with intense, international popularity. In fact, every region of the world hosts dedicated professional leagues, and millions upon millions of people watch their favourite gamer stars play! Esports is a huge, evolving, billion-dollar industry. If you are new to the world of esports, I’m here to share and break down some interesting facts to help you wrap your head around this phenomenon.
1. Esports can be enjoyed live or on-demand
An online streaming platform called Twitch is the predominant mode for live streaming esports, however, YouTube and Facebook are also actively expanding in this domain. Twitch tends to be where people go to watch live games, whereas YouTube is the go-to for on-demand gamer content. Both YouTube and Facebook are making concerted efforts to grow their live streaming audiences though.
2. Gaming is no longer niche
Around 2017, gaming experienced a tipping point, and became more accessible to both players and audiences. We started seeing athletes and celebrities alike playing esports, which caused an uptick in popularity. In 2021, League of Legends had over 180 million active players. Essentially, esports are exploding, and they are everywhere, 24 hours a day. Ideas around esports are also shifting. Players and audiences are diverse and unique; no longer can people default to a stereotype of what a “typical gamer” looks or acts like. In fact, many pros are professional athletes in all sense of the word; they are roles models who embrace and promote healthy lifestyles.
3. A broad core demographic
Younger generations have gaming ingrained in them from childhood, however the core esports demographic is broad, ranging from anyone between 9-40. Male players and fans do outnumber their female counterparts, however there is a rapidly growing female demographic.
4. Esports is a huge industry, with lots of money to be made
We are talking about multimillion dollar companies, and competitive gamers who are not only earning what professional athletes make, but winning competitions worth up to 30 million dollars. This industry also produces endless career opportunities; esports companies need marketers, financial analysts, video editors, game developers, social media experts, project managers, and coaches just to name a few. If you love gaming, but you don’t think you have the skills to work in the industry, reflect on your skills and think again! Opportunity awaits.
5. Transcending ability
There are two things I love about esports: first, unlike physical sports, we can all compete on the same level to an extent. Playing online allows many of us to transcend the body; despite size, strength, age, gender, or physical ability, we can all experience the joy of play and competition. For people with busy lives, esports also transcend time. For example, you have access to a massive network of eager players, who can match your skill level, 24/7.
6. Play your idols
Esports fans love to watch and follow the best pro players, and also love non-pro personalities who bring humour or insight to the table. But here’s what’s wild and can rarely be replicated in physical sports: if you play that game enough, you could end up playing against your idols. Everyone is on the same playing field. On a random Tuesday evening, you could get to play against your hero. It’s not super common, but it happens. I’ve personally played against some of my favourite esports personalities! How cool is that?
7. Things aren’t perfect; we have critical work to do
The gendering of esports is a big problem, and you don’t have to go far to find unacceptable misogyny on these platforms. Most prominent female esports personalities experience some form of harassment. As an industry, the culture needs to change. People of all genders and identities need to be welcome, safe, and respected in this space. We have important work to do, now.
8. Esports has the potential to connect us
Esports are a global phenomenon, transcending borders, languages, time zones, and physical abilities. These competitions are a way for people all over the globe to connect, transcending culture and boundaries. At the end of the day, it’s about the love of play and competition. And that love transcends the medium itself.
Kyle Chatterson is a sports and media leader with near a decade of professional experience in esports and competitive gaming. Kyle is currently the Director of esports Content and Partnerships at theScore where he leads strategy and execution for all projects related to competitive video gaming. He has worked with the biggest developers, teams and brands across the competitive gaming industry and has spoken at PAX East, SXSW and Cynopsis Esports events. Kyle has previously worked at the NATO Association of Canada leading their technology vertical and prior to that was a professional chef. He has a BA from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, as well as a Diplome de Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu.
His SCS course, Esports Business Foundations, starts this fall.