The eSports industry has evolved from a niche market to a billion-dollar industry, attracting millions of fans worldwide. This growth didn’t happen by chance; it was the result of concerted efforts by the eSports community, who recognized the potential of this highly competitive and accessible form of entertainment.
Let’s explore the key factors that are expected to drive the growth of eSports in 2023.
The appeal of eSports lies in its competitive nature and accessibility. Unlike traditional sports, eSports doesn’t require physical prowess or athletic ability. Instead, it demands a high level of skill, strategy, and quick thinking.
The eSports scene is vibrant and diverse, with hundreds of millions fans worldwide. It features a wide range of games, from sports simulations like FIFA23, MMORPGs like World of Warcraft to battle royale games like Fortnite.
Moreover, eSports is inclusive. The 2019 Fortnite World Cup winner, Kyle Giersdorf, was just 16 years old when he took home $3 million. eSports players and fans come from all regions of the world, making it a truly global phenomenon.
Competitive games like League of Legends and DOTA 2 continue to organize tournaments all around the world, bringing players from different backgrounds and walks of life together.
Mobile gaming is a significant factor contributing to the growth of eSports. Approximately 60% of the world plays online games on their smartphones, attracting substantial investment from companies like Apple, Konami, and Tencent. The latter has invested over $2 billion in mobile gaming in 2022 alone.
In 2023, over 45% of eSports viewers reported watching mobile gaming tournaments. The reason is convenience: you get access to live events coverage from wherever you are.
Games like PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, and Call of Duty: Mobile have been downloaded hundreds of millions of times. For instance, as of 2023, PUBG Mobile has over 1 billion downloads globally.
The eSports industry offers tremendous moneymaking opportunities. It’s estimated that almost 10 million people stream gaming content on Twitch every month. While most of them don’t generate significant income, a small fraction of streamers earn tens of thousands monthly.
Beyond streaming, the eSports industry provides career opportunities for pro gamers, developers, bloggers, managers, marketers, and accountants.
When it comes to players, they are hungry for paid content and in-game purchases. In 2022, players spent an average of $87 per year on mobile game purchases.
Sports betting has become an integral part of the eSports ecosystem, contributing to its growth and popularity. According to a report by Esports Insider, the ‘big three’ games (League of Legends, CS:GO, and Dota 2) continue to be the most popular games to bet on. However, data suggests that mobile eSports, particularly Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, could be the next breakout title for betting.
The biggest betting companies like BetMGM, Bet365, Caesars, and Betway have developed mobile apps that make it easy for fans to place bets on their favorite eSports events. These apps are designed to enhance the user experience, offering features like live betting, cash-out options, and bet builder features that allow users to create their own unique eSports bets.
While betting contributes to the growth of eSports, it’s not without controversy. Concerns about the integrity of eSports betting have led companies like Pinnacle to establish in-house integrity teams to monitor betting patterns and investigate potential integrity issues.
This proactive approach to maintaining integrity in eSports betting is crucial for the industry’s continued growth and acceptance.
The landscape of eSports and gaming has seen a significant shift in recent years, with women not only participating actively but also owning a substantial portion of the gaming platforms.
According to a comprehensive study of gaming trends and demographics by Circana’s PlayerPulse, 47% of console gamers, 50% of PC gamers, and 54% of mobile gamers in the U.S. are women as of 2023.
Furthermore, the data indicates that women own 41% of PS5s, 45% of Xbox Series S and X consoles, and 52% of Switch consoles. This effectively dismantles the stereotype of gaming as a male-dominated field, showing that women are equally, if not more, engaged in gaming across various platforms.
Contrary to the typical assumption that women only play casual games, many female gamers delve into diverse and unconventional gaming realms. There is a number of female eSports figures, too: Sasha ‘Scarlett’ Hostyn, Katherine ‘Mystik’ Gunn, Alison ‘Nina’ Qual and many more.
The future of eSports looks promising, with several trends expected to drive its growth in 2023. The increasing involvement of game publishers, the continued rise of mobile gaming, and the evolution of eSports betting are all factors that will shape the industry’s future.
However, challenges remain, including the need for improved data presentation for in-play odds and the need for more collaboration between tournament operators to avoid overbooked schedules.
In conclusion, the eSports industry is poised for significant growth in 2023, driven by its competitive nature, accessibility, the rise of mobile gaming, and the evolution of eSports betting.
This is a paid guest post.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
