The days of invite-only LAN parties are long over, with esports more accessible than ever before. In 2021, the Free Fire World Series attracted peak viewership of more than 5 million. However, this is just a fraction of the 540 million people who watch esports regularly. Even if you’re no stranger to the world of competitive gaming, getting to grips with the esports ecosystem isn’t straightforward. Below, we break down everything you need to know about the unique infrastructure of this dynamic sector.
It All Starts with Developers
Without great games, esports wouldn’t exist. However, developers have done a lot more for the industry than simply releasing games to the market. In 2011, Valve’s inaugural The International set the stage for Dota 2 esports as we know it today. That same year, Riot Games held the first League of Legends World Championship. Both tournaments have become mainstays in the annual esports calendar. Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Epic Games have all heavily contributed to the meteoric rise of esports.
Players and Esports Organizations
Anyone can be a player, but only a select few have gone to become professional esports athletes. That being said, esports isn’t an exclusive industry. Provided you have access to a reliable internet connection, mobile-friendly games make it possible for those lacking advanced hardware to get in on the action. Take the PUBG Mobile Pro League as just one example.
However, it’s major esports events like the LoL World Championship and the Intel Extreme Casters that attract the best and brightest. While many players have a relatively short shelf life, others like Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok have been playing professionally for more than a decade. While team rankings are far from static, classic rosters like Team Liquid, OG, and Evil Geniuses continue to dominate. These three lineups alone have secured team earnings of more than $100 million. Keen to say how well your favorite teams are doing? Find everything you need with this 1337pro.com Dota 2 tournament schedule.
Twitch, YouTube, and Streaming Avenues
While some people talk about the slow acceptance of esports to conventional broadcasting streams like television, it’s worth remembering that electronic sports has grown up alongside streaming platforms. This is a form of entertainment developed by and for digital natives. Unsurprisingly, it’s been streaming platforms like Twitch that allowed esports to thrive. As well as playing host to major tournaments and team-generated content, the likes of YouTube and Twitch provide active and retired players to engage with fans.
Tournament Organizers
We’ve already touched upon how developers paved the way for high-profile esports events. However, these aren’t the only event organizers in the business. There are hundreds of smaller leagues and tournaments across the globe, with many operating at a grassroots level. As mobile and cloud gaming opens up new pathways for aspiring players, don’t be too surprised to see an increase in the number of tournaments organized by third parties.
Esports Sponsorship
Esports teams and tournaments depend on sponsorship money. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of big brands prepared to throw large sums of money at this industry. Electronics giants including Intel and Samsung have both funneled significant investment into the sector, while other companies like Red Bull, Coca-Cola, and even Disney have partnered with S-Tier teams.
Online Audiences and the Fan Community
Finally, there’s the audience. Fans are a key part of the larger esports ecosystem. While many long-time fans have been following their favorite teams since the start, millions more are becoming regular viewers thanks to user-friendly streaming platforms. Additionally, increased access to live streams and player metrics has led to the emergence of an esports betting industry. In 2023, this betting market was worth an estimated $2.3 billion.
While there’s some overlap between the ecosystems of esports and traditional sports, this is still an evolving industry we’re talking about. As teams look for more ways to generate revenue streams and organizers aim to reach even bigger audiences, expect the esports ecosystem to become increasingly complex.
