The development of e-sports into a mass phenomenon

E-sports - the competitive use of video games - has experienced massive growth in recent years and has become a significant part of the global entertainment industry. While many people were sceptical about e-sports in the early days, the picture has changed in recent years. In the meantime, the competitions are becoming more and more popular all over the world.

From the rankings to the worldwide event

The history of e-sports goes back to the 1970s, when the first official video game competition took place. In the following years, more and more games developed that were played in tournaments. The winners were determined in ranking lists. The most famous games in the 1980s were Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. As early as 1980, a Space Invaders competition organised by the manufacturer Atari attracted 10,000 participants. For the first time, this clearly showed the great potential that lay dormant. With the introduction of personalised computers in the 1990s, the tournaments became even bigger and more professional.

E-sports benefited from the numerous technical innovations. They facilitated access to the games and ensured their rapid spread. One of the main factors that contributed to the growth of e-sports is the increasing spread of the internet. The possibility of playing games online and watching competitions live has contributed to e-Sports becoming a mass phenomenon. The triumph of consoles was not entirely innocent of this. PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo turned a hobby for young people into a billion-dollar market that has long since surpassed the cinema and music industries. This also had an effect on e-sports.

Prize money shows the importance

This development is also noticeable in the prize money. The first tournaments in the 1970s and 1980s usually offered participants only small sums, in the range of a few hundred or thousand dollars. Today, on the other hand, some tournaments offer prize money of several million dollars. The most popular games worldwide undoubtedly include games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2 and PUBG: Battlegrounds.

Global revenues are expected to surpass $1.5 billion in 2023 and are projected to bring in more than $2 billion a year in three years. One year later, more than 720 million players are expected to be active worldwide.

Such a rapid development has not gone unnoticed by the sports betting industry. After all, the industry is looking for betting markets that offer excitement and entertainment. If, on top of that, countless opportunities open up to bet on the results of the duels, then it is clear that the bookmakers include these matches in their offer. The range of providers is now so large, even in Germany, that beginners are best advised to compare the numerous bonuses through test reports before backing their favourite team with bets. In any case, the interest of the industry clearly shows that the days as a niche sport are definitely over.

Business increasingly acts as sponsor

This development is not only attracting legions of young gamblers, but also the business community. They have recognised that this opens up enormous opportunities for the customers of the future. After all, every world-class brand today wants to be seen as young and innovative. It is therefore not surprising that the German automotive industry is also becoming increasingly involved in the e-sports scene as a sponsor.

The best-known brands here include BMW, Audi and Mercedes. However, contrary to its long-standing strategy, BMW decided to make a radical change of strategy at the beginning of this year and ended its partnership with five e-sports teams. However, the car company is not pulling out completely, but would like to concentrate in future on the financial support of individual stars, rather than teams as before.

In addition, corporations such as Coca-Cola, Nike or Red Bull were and are also highly active in the e-sports scene. Together with the increased coverage and live broadcasts in the media, this results in a market that shows the potential to grow strongly in the future.

Football clubs are expanding their influence

In recent years, more and more big football clubs have also ventured into e-sports. FC Schalke 04 was one of the first German clubs to set up a professional e-sports team. Numerous big clubs at home and abroad have followed this example. They have all recognised the opportunity to reach a young audience and inspire them for their own sport. While Schalke 04 has since had to close its department for financial reasons, the German champions are as successful on the net as they are on the football pitch.

FC Bayern München, under former president Uli Hoeneß, resisted entering the market for a long time, but after his departure as the club's leading official, the way was clear. In the meantime, FC Bayern München is among the biggest football clubs in the world in Konami's eFootball Championship Pro. This has not only brought the club many new fans, but also sponsors.

However, the e-Sports boom has not only brought money and success to the economy, but also to the main players themselves. Many of them have become stars. Among them, for example, is Kuro "KuroKy" Salehi Takhasomi, who has become an internationally recognised figure in Dota 2. Like many of his colleagues, he can rely on a conspiratorial community that ensures that e-sports is becoming more and more popular. This is leading to an increasing professionalisation of the industry.

In recent years, for example, more and more e-sports organisations and agencies have been founded to manage and market professional players and teams. The introduction of e-sports leagues such as the League of Legends Championship Series or the Overwatch League has also contributed to the rapid increase in professionalism.

E-sports has come a long way from its 1970s origins, but the move towards becoming a mass phenomenon seems to have been consolidated for the time being. As part of the global entertainment industry, the signs are good that e-sports will continue to seize its opportunities in the future.