Which game is the the very best?
Wondering what the top esports game was in 2023? Gamers have made their choice, and there's a clear winner.
We're giving you an inside look at the heavy hitters and sharing key reasons for their achievements. Interested in the highest spikes in viewers or massive prize pools? Dive in with us as we reveal what keeps gamers and spectators hooked worldwide.
The 2023 Victor: Which Game Claimed the Title?
In 2023, the League of Legends solidly became the undefeated victor in esports. The game set itself apart by achieving an epic number of viewers, outpacing all other games for worldwide active engagement.
The 2023 League of Legends World Championship was a historic event that established a fresh standard for esports. This esteemed tournament attracted a maximum viewership of 6.4 million, which was a great opportunity for people that like to bet in places like thunderpick.io/en/esports and could see the beating the former record holder by almost a million viewers.
The exciting story of team conflicts, plus the risky intensity of the competition, had fans riveted to their screens.
During its extensive 116-hour broadcast, the World Championship 2023 accumulated over 100 million hours watched, indicating extraordinary worldwide attention. The unparalleled allure of League of Legends and the triumph of its World Championship underscore the game's irresistible draw and the expanding influence of esports.
In addition to audience size and player interest, the big money rewards, including prize money, play an essential role in esports. Let's data examine the prize pools offered by these notable games more closely.
Peering Into the Loot: Breakdown of Esports Game Payouts
The biggest esports game prize pools in 2023 went to:
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Dota 2 - $30,816,880.35 in 123 tournaments
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PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS Mobile - $20,585,716.67 in 65 tournaments
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Fortnite - $19,664,837.87 in 451 tournaments
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Arena of Valor - $19,184,971.77 in 24 tournaments
These games paid well for the hard work of skilled teams and their top players.
Battle Royale versus MOBA: Key Players in the Esports Realm
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) and battle royale games were both high-ranking esports titles in 2023, with no clear winner in genre popularity. The variety shows the wide range of game tastes among esports fans.
Fortnite, a top-tier choice for players in the battle royale genre, hosted more tournaments than MOBA games like League of Legends, suggesting battle royale games have a strong layer of competition.
Fortnite and Apex Legends are types of battle royale games, having earned their place in esports. In games like Fortnite, 100 players go head-to-head on a big map. The target? To be the last player standing.
The design and familiarity of the game, along with this game feature, have helped it find success in the battle royale games market.
While battle royale and MOBA games may be center stage in esports, the intricate strategies of characters' abilities and the need for high skills in some games make them appealing and replayable.
Fandom Frenzy: The Role of Community and Viewership in Esports Popularity
Twitch has been a top platform and a significant contributor to the popularity of esports, enabling live broadcasting of gameplay and tournaments. The platform’s user-friendly features designed for minimal setup and low latency have made it a worldwide go-to destination for esports enthusiasts.
Some notable features of Twitch include:
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Live chat functionality, allowing viewers to interact with streamers and other viewers in real-time
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The ability to subscribe to favorite streamers and support them financially
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A wide range of emotes and chat badges to enhance the viewing experience
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The option to create and join communities based on specific games or interests
Twitch’s integrated chat has been crucial in promoting audience interaction and fostering a sense of unity among esports watchers. Social media integration enhances real-time communication between esports fans and players, cultivating a robust community.
Exclusive streaming events and deals, like Twitch’s rights to the Overwatch League, showcase its significant role in directing esports viewership and fan involvement.
Twitch isn't just for streaming and watching. There's more to it, like:
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A way to donate, helping you support your favorite streamers
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Cool interactive bits, such as guessing games and bets
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Chatting with other fans, all part of the esports community
The global esports boom? Well, that's down to intelligent game features everyone loves.
A World Obsessed: Esports Giants Around the Globe
Esports isn't just hot in one place. It's universal. Games like Arena of Valor and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang have smashed global esports earnings records.
This shows that esports isn't a niche—it's a worldwide trend. In places like the U.S. and Western Europe, people love live events. This local passion sculpts the League of Legends esports world at large, proving how local hype can go global.
In all this growth and change, there's a clear pattern. Mobile gaming is on the up.
Small Screen, Big Deals: How Portable Gaming’s Shaping Esports
Mobile gaming is a game changer for esports. You can see it in the rise of games like PUBG Mobile. The PUBG Mobile arena alone has bagged up an incredible prize pool of $20,585,716.67 across 65 tournaments.
That's a solid sign of how big mobile esports has become. PUBG Mobile's huge user base, paired with its social solid media presence, underlines the power and reach of mobile games in esports.
While mobile gaming is gaining momentum, there continues to be a fascinating interplay between established titles and newcomers in the esports games scene, including sports games and video game competitions.
The Veterans and the Newcomers: Established Titles vs. Rising Stars
Enduring titles like Dota 2 and Call of Duty persist in popularity on the esports scene, showcasing their timeless appeal.
At the same time, newcomers like Rocket League and Fortnite are making their mark, catering to younger demographics in the most popular esports games and competitions. Age of Empires II, a veteran game, experienced a resurgence in the esports realm with the release of its Definitive Edition, which modernized the title with improved graphics, gameplay, and online features.
The esports community is also closely watching the implications of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard on esports, particularly concerning the Call of Duty League. The landscape of esports is constantly evolving, influenced by two teams:
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The games themselves
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The growth in the player base
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Tournament frequency
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Social media activity.
Conclusion
In 2023, League of Legends led the esports scene, reaching unprecedented viewership and watch times during the World Championship. Mobile gaming's rise in esports, highlighted by PUBG Mobile's triumph, is a noteworthy shift.
Key activists in this evolution include game developers, especially Riot Games and Epic Games. Looking ahead, the esports sector is brimming with possibility, creative advancements, and intense enthusiasm.