The Rise of Cybersports and How it Has Changed Competitive Gaming

Cybersport, or eSports, is an exciting game that has gained popularity in the entertainment industry. Video games are not only a source of entertainment, but they are also becoming a global phenomenon.  The global esports market revenue is projected to reach US$4.3bn by the end of 2024

This niche did not emerge from thin air to take center stage in tech and sports.  It was a niche activity pursued by a handful of tech enthusiasts and game lovers that blossomed into a global phenomenon.

But sometimes, one would ask how the game got developed and got so sophisticated.  It was a tireless effort of some programmers several decades ago. Read on to learn about the significant evolution of eSports, its origins, major milestones, current developments, and future potential. 

Brief History of eSports

Esport is rooted in the early times of video games when competitive games started. The first known organized video game competition was held in 1971 at Stanford University. It was hosted by the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the University and tagged "Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics."

Twenty-four players competed in the game "Spacewar!"  and the prize for the winner was a year's subscription to "Rolling Stone" magazine. The event ignited the esports movement.

The game was developed in 1962 by Steve Russel and his colleagues Martin Graetz and Wayne Witanen at the MIT. 

The Arcade Console Game of the 1970s

In 1972, the first ever game console connected to TV was introduced. It was named "Magnavox Odyssey". Even though it was a game challenging to play, the console introduced the idea of digital gaming for public use. 

During this period, arcade games also started gaining traction. Games like Pong and Space Invaders started going public. The game gets competitive with the introduction of high-score lists. Sea Wolf is the first machine to feature the score list option of arcade games in 1976. The game became so popular that they hosted a video game titled Space Invader in 1978.  

The High Score lists Games of the 1980s

Over 10,000 players participated in the 1978 Atari Space Invader Championship. William Heineman was the winner of the challenge. The tournament was the foundation of a video game competition. 

The year 1988 was a milestone for online and PC gaming. Netrek was introduced on the internet and was the first multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game in esports. 

Central Nationals Games in 1990s

Fast forward to the 1990s, the rise of the internet has made esports popular, and many people started having interest in national gaming competitions. Nintendo became popular at the time for its console gaming. It organizes the Nintendo World Championship and features games like Tetris, Rad Racer, and Super Mario. The tournament took place in 29 cities in the US, and prizes like $10k savings bond, Geo Metro convertible, and Nintendo systems were won.

Games like Street Fighter II and the renowned Mortal Kombat were released at this time. They brought the innovation of player versus player (PvP) gameplay. It means players can compete directly with each other. That eliminated the gathering of  the highest points on the scores list.

In 1997, the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) was founded. The body served as the first organized gaming league for professional players. From there, esports steadily grew in prominence. When did esports become popular? Internet and technological advancement of the 200s modernized esports.

The 2000s and 2010s Revolution of Esports.

There is a growth in Internet speed, and more people are having access to video games because many owning gaming PCs. 

In 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) was established; it was the first video game league ever to be televised.  Some years later, broadband internet and live-streaming platforms started springing up. A good example is Twitch, which was established in 2011. It allows players to watch games in real-time. 

As of 2013, viewers started to get interested in games like "Dota 2," "League of Legends," and "Counter-Strike".  Over 32 million people watched the games. 

Newzoo, a leading market research firm, stated, "The global esports audience reached 495 million in 2020, with a projected growth rate of 9% annually.”

The sport started attracting sponsors and many big companies started investing in it. Brands like Coca-Cola and Red Bull majorly invested in the esports ecosystem. 

How Cybersports Revolutionize Competitive Gaming

Competitive gaming was a strict hobby for those who enjoy video games. But the narrative has changed. Unlike before, when players played for fun or won some crumbs as prizes, professional players today are treated like athletes. 

They make esports a career path with total concentration. They train four hours per day and have coaches and nutritionists. Esports organizations offer them facilities to boost their skills and develop winning strategies. 

The famous esports figure  Tyler "Ninja" Blevins once said, “People don’t understand how difficult esports is. It’s not just a game; it’s a lifestyle.” This shows that esports players face the same mental and physical demands as traditional athletes. 

In 2021, the "Dota 2" International tournament offered the winner $40 million in prize.  It was the largest prize pool in esports history at the time. This showcases the growing importance of esports and its competitiveness. 

The Growth of Esports Betting

The esports ecosystem is further enhanced by betting. In fact, the largest market segment in esports is betting. It has a market volume of US$2.5bn in 2024.

Fans of the sports get the opportunity to place wagers on their favorite teams and players. Millions of dollars are being wagered on tournaments and matches of esports every year. 

The following key factors contribute to the good growing pace of esports betting. They are; 

• Increase in professionalism of the league and tournaments

• There are more available live-streaming platforms that make it easy for fans to watch the match in real time. 

• The pace of technology improvement has also extended to the game.

• Compared to traditional sports, esports offer more entertainment to some fans. 

Many online betting platforms and review sites have embraced esports. They are offering top spots for LoL esports betting and other popular games like Counter-Strike, Dota, and more. 

What Lies Ahead of the Future of Esports?

The future of esports is bright. The global esports market is projected to reach $10 billion by 2032. Esports will also continue to benefit from technological advancements. The virtual and Augmented reality are seriously enhancing the gameplay.Additionally, there is growing interest in allowing esports in traditional sporting events. In 2018, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held its first-ever esports forum. It explores the possibility of including esports in future Olympic Games.