Electronic sports, also known as esports, is the competitive aspect of video gaming. It has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years and has become a major industry, with professional players, teams, and leagues. This article will discuss the history of esports and how it has evolved into the phenomenon it is today.
Early Days
The earliest form of esports can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s, when arcade gaming was at its peak. Players would compete against each other in games such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. These early competitions were often informal and held in arcades or other public spaces.
Rise of Online Gaming
The rise of online gaming in the 1990s marked the next major step in the evolution of esports. With the advent of the internet, players could now compete against each other remotely, and this led to the formation of online communities and tournaments. One of the most popular early esports games was the first-person shooter (FPS) game Quake, which had a dedicated competitive community and tournaments.
Professionalization
Esports began to professionalize in the early 2000s, with the formation of professional teams and leagues. South Korea, in particular, was a driving force in this development, with the formation of the Korean e-Sports Association (KeSPA) in 2000 and the establishment of the OnGameNet (OGN) league for the popular FPS game Starcraft.
The rise of streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube in the late 2000s and early 2010s further propelled the growth of esports. These platforms allowed players and teams to stream their gameplay and competitions, giving fans around the world the ability to watch and follow their favorite players and teams.
Major Tournaments and Prize Pools
As esports continued to grow, so did the size and scale of tournaments and prize pools. Major events such as The International for Dota 2 and the League of Legends World Championship now have prize pools in the tens of millions of dollars, drawing in thousands of fans to live events and millions more watching online.
Esports in the Mainstream
Esports has also begun to break into the mainstream, with traditional sports teams and organizations investing in esports teams and leagues. Major broadcasters such as ESPN and TBS have also begun to air esports events and competitions.
Conclusion
Esports has come a long way since its early days as a niche hobby. It has grown into a major industry with professional players, teams, and leagues and has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. With the continued growth of technology and the increasing mainstream acceptance of esports, it is likely that the industry will continue to expand and evolve in the future.
