The dominant games in today's commercial games market

Globally, the commercial games market is still booming and is expected to grow by 4.6% per year around the world. Esports will play a major role in this growth, as will today's easily accessible and sophisticated slot machines. In this article, we take a look at the most popular games in the commercial gaming industry, from innovative slot games to esports titles that dominate tournaments and viewership across the globe.

A recent BusinessWire report highlights that the commercial gaming market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.6% over the next few years. According to experts, the global value of the gaming market will reach USD 226.1 billion in 2030, an increase of USD 60 billion in just a few years. The main reason for this is the increased availability of internet access and the growing availability of devices that support today's advanced games.

This growth has not only been driven by the rise of new esports tournaments, where the prize pools are getting bigger and bigger. While esports attracts huge audiences and generates high winnings, slot games such as the hugely popular Starburst have also emerged as a major player thanks to innovative designs and links to popular culture.

An industry that is bigger than the games themselves

Advanced slot machines are now also in the daily product development of global game developers, often in partnership with the US film industry. Slot machines have become a key part of blockbuster franchising and marketing strategies to capture the attention of a wide audience.

One popular example is Jumanji: Video Slot, which is now available to players in Finland. Another highlight of this gaming space is Starburst, which continues to attract players worldwide and is also offered in an enhanced MegaWays version. Let's take a look at the Esport side of the market and see which games dominate the world's tournaments.

Dota 2 - King of the prize pools

According to Statista, the current leading esports titles, in order of cumulative tournament prize pool, are Dota 2, PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, Arena of Valor and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, followed by Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, Rocket League, League of Legends and PUBG.

They estimate the total prize pool for Dota 2 at US$30.82 million in 2023, giving it a strong lead over second-placed PUBG Mobile, with a total prize pool of US$21.22 million. Looking at Dota 2's cumulative prize pool since its first release, it has reached a total of US$332.32 million by December 2024.

However, this dominance could be challenged in the future. Other sources report that while Dota 2 undoubtedly has the most tournament money, it will only be the fifth most popular esports game in 2024 in terms of viewership. League of Legends, for example, will surpass it in viewership by millions, as will Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, raising questions about whether tournament prize pools alone can maintain Dota 2's top position in the esports world.

Esports will continue to thrive

The diversity of the commercial gaming market is one of the keys to its success. From the dazzling graphics of slot games to the competitive spirit of esports, there is something for everyone. According to experts, the esports community has a lot of potential in the coming years, with strong growth expected and new games emerging on the global stage. While BusinessWire's forecast includes significant growth in the slots industry, the esports arena is set for even greater development, thanks to its ability to attract a wide and diverse audience. This growing popularity is also a major factor in making esports betting increasingly accessible across the globe, further adding to the excitement and scope of future esports tournaments.