The esports industry is thriving. With viewership in the hundreds of millions for top events — and revenues projected at $4.3 billion — it’s apparent that esports have made a global impression.
With this growth comes versatile professional opportunities that extend beyond competitive gaming alone. Yes, the talent of today’s top gamer must be appreciated, but behind the scenes, many other passionate individuals contribute to this invigorating industry. It takes a lot of hard work to organize events, lead teams, or facilitate media deals. Add ticket sales, merchandising, and digital content to the mix, and it’s clear to see why this sector is bursting with opportunity.
No matter how you envision your future in esports, there could certainly be a role for you to fill. But first, you need targeted, cutting-edge training to ensure you’re up to the challenge. A Bachelor of Science in Sports and Esports Management could provide the tailored preparation you need. Below, we demonstrate the value of this degree while revealing why the future of esports is so bright.
What Is Esports?
Short for electronic sports, esports bring the thrill of competition and the agony of defeat (typically associated with on-field athletics) to the online arena. The term was coined more than two decades ago in South Korea, which has since been referred to as the “laboratory of esports.”
Played competitively by professional gamers — and observed by spectators — esports involves beloved games that many casual players would otherwise enjoy on their own. Examples include League of Legends and Dota 2. This concept also references the organized nature of competitive gaming, in which teams of professional gamers compete against one another.
The Structure of Professional Esports
While many casual esports players enjoy access to globally competitive opportunities, it is the powerful structure of esports that makes it appealing from the professional gamer’s perspective. The games themselves lend some organization to this concept: Those who specialize in particular titles or events are unlikely to jump to others. Beyond this, though, numerous associations, leagues, teams, and other organizations ensure that competitions are fair yet exciting.
Leagues and Tournaments
Leagues and tournaments provide opportunities for esports gamers and teams to compete and immerse themselves in a thriving, well-connected community of professional gaming enthusiasts. Although there is a great deal of crossover between competitive game leagues and tournaments, these opportunities are definitely distinct:
- Leagues – From team-based experiences such as Rocket League to one-on-one fighting games like Brawlhalla, esports leagues serve as a proving ground for players. A season schedule of events culminates in a year-end playoff or tournament format, in which a champion is crowned. Esports leagues can vary in size and scope, from massive events organized through the OWL or VCT to more modest and lower-stakes contests hosted by the High School Esports League in the U.S.
- Tournaments – The specific format and qualifying rounds vary considerably among the world’s top esports tournaments. Global events such as the League of Legends World Championship feature global teams vying for hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money. Even Nintendo has joined the esports craze, with a slate of yearly tournaments involving top titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Teams
While gaming can be an enjoyable solo endeavor, team dynamics make esports far more exhilarating. This structure also reflects the current social reality of gaming; many top titles are structured around group play.
In many ways, esports teams function like teams from conventional athletics. Different team members may fulfill different functions, although these are not always clearly defined from the perspective of the spectator. In general, however, these teams fall into one of two main categories:
- Professional teams – Composed of athletes who have committed to their sport of choice, professional esports teams boast a talented roster of players who dedicate their lives to the team. Only truly elite players are capable of making a professional team, with their performance scrutinized by fans and foes alike.
- Academy teams – Providing valuable opportunities for amateur esports athletes to hone their skills, academy teams serve a vital purpose. With burnout being an unfortunate reality of the esports lifestyle, it’s up to teams to cultivate a young roster of talented players who can step up and step in when called on.
Competitive Formats in Esports
The vast world of esports has something for every type of esports gamer or fan. Lone wolves who prefer to go solo can embrace the one-on-one fighting game genre — an esports staple since the very beginning. Those who wish to work together to take down rival squads will gravitate toward competitive MOBA and shooter genres. Among the most common formats include:
1. Individual Competitions
We’ve touched on the popularity of team-based events, but there is still plenty to love about individual competitions, in which athletes can only rely on their own elite skills. Often bracket-based, these tournaments can turn anonymous players into online sensations overnight.
Take the venerable Evolution Championship Series, for example. After parrying 15 consecutive hits from opponent Justin Wong, esports legend Daigo Umehara unleashed a furious comeback, including a 14-hit combo to win the match. This moment from Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike helped both players achieve prestige within the fighting game community.
2. Team-Based Tournaments
Team-based competitions call for exceptional coordination and communication between talented esports gamers. These events may feature qualifying rounds, with the winners advancing to play for bragging rights or prize money. These events generate much attention and revenue. For instance, more than six million people tuned in for the finals of the 2023 League of Legends World Championship, which were held at the sold-out Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, in front of more than 18,000 fans.
3. Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
A popular gaming genre, RTS requires esports players to manage resources and make difficult decisions while abiding by strict deadlines or time limitations. Success in RTS is most likely among versatile players who possess a comprehensive gaming skill set: tactical abilities, multitasking, manipulation, and more.
4. Online Leagues and Seasonal Competitions
There’s no better example of the similarity between esports and on-field competition than the often-seasonal structure. Teams compete in scheduled league matches, with the top squads advancing to either playoffs or end-of-the-year tournaments to crown a league champion.
These seasons usually begin and end around the same time every year — similar, for instance, to how the professional baseball season spans from spring training in February to the World Series game at the end of October.
5. Open and Invitational Tournaments
Unknown players can struggle to make their mark among established esports athletes, but open tournaments provide valuable opportunities to demonstrate their skills. These tournaments can be entered by a variety of gamers. On the other hand, invitational tournaments are far more exclusive and may be limited to top-ranked teams or athletes.
Both types of tournaments have a powerful role to play within the diverse esports ecosystem. It is important for novice athletes to gain experience and notoriety, but invitational opportunities demonstrate the elite skills of today’s most accomplished gamers.
Key Roles Within the Esports Ecosystem
While professional gamers receive considerable attention or even adoration, esports calls for a vast ecosystem in which several skilled and passionate contributors make their mark. Important roles include:
- Players – Known in esports as athletes, players compete in either solo or team-based competitions, drawing on high-level gaming skills such as resource management and hand-eye coordination.
- Coaches – Tasked with analyzing opponents and preparing teams for competition, coaches devise game plans and scrutinize their own teams for strengths and weaknesses.
- Team managers – Not to be confused with coaches, team managers decide which leagues and tournaments their squads compete in while also chasing down sponsorship opportunities.
- Content creators and streamers – In addition to competing in tournaments, many esports players create social media content and stream their online exploits. This can be a major source of revenue for individual gamers.
- Analysts – Working behind the scenes, analysts draw on a wealth of gaming data to break down the numbers behind the games. Key strategies and insights can then be gleaned from this data, thereby providing a distinct competitive edge.
- Casters and hosts – A great esports broadcast wouldn’t be complete without knowledgeable hosts and commentators breaking down the action. These casters must strike the difficult balance of explaining nuanced performance to novice viewers while also appealing to high-level players and their sensibilities.
- Event organizers – With some of the biggest esports events taking place in arenas packed with tens of thousands of fans, it’s a tall task for event organizers to put it all together. These professionals do it all: booking venues, inviting teams, and securing sponsors.
- Sponsors and advertisers – Because esports athletes dedicate so much time to their craft, it’s difficult to hold down regular work and make a living. Sponsors and advertisers can help subsidize the lifestyle of an esport athlete or team by providing complimentary computers, peripherals, and even cash.
The Evolution of Esports
The esports industry has come a long way in a few short years. The origins of competitive gaming can be traced back to the advent of home consoles, with a 1980 Space Invaders event and a 1981 Donkey Kong tournament revealing a strong appetite for competition. This was followed by major Mortal Kombat and GoldenEye tournaments during the ’90s.
Esports as we know it picked up steam in the early 2000s, especially as major tournament hosts took shape. As these events were televised, they expanded beyond their previously niche status to attract broad audiences. Twitch expanded on this by making it easier for players and fans to interact.
Esports Growth
Market research suggests that the esports boom isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Projections indicate that global revenues are set to increase from an estimated $4.3 billion in 2024 to $5.7 billion by 2028. With a projected 856.5 million individuals interacting with the industry in some capacity, the esports market is healthier than ever.
- Factors contributing to esports growth – It’s never been easier to get involved in the esports scene. From watching live competitions via Twitch streams to entering open tournaments, the low barrier to entry has served the esports industry well, garnering greater engagement among fans and players from all walks of life. Meanwhile, tech titans, hardware manufacturers, and many other major corporations have dedicated valuable resources to the esports industry, granting it plenty of room to grow.
- Key growth components – Every facet of the esports business is prime for expansion, including more broadcast streams, added tournaments and leagues, and even traveling esports tours featuring the world’s best players. Similarly, many top publishers sponsor their own tournaments or develop new games with esports opportunities in mind.
- Revenue streams – The rise of sponsorships, live events, and media rights deals have made esports an extremely lucrative field. The medium is perfect for companies looking to attach their names or products to the hottest esports games, teams, and individual players. Some titles also produce significant revenue opportunities via in-game cosmetic upgrades and consumables.
Global Reach of Esports
The esports industry holds undeniable international appeal. This is reflected not only in the athletes and their many nations of origin but also the success of the Global Esports Federation (GEF), which brings structure and a sense of camaraderie to the international gaming community.
As with conventional sporting events, esports provide opportunities for people from across the globe to find common ground. Digital opportunities make these connections more accessible to a wide range of players and fans, however, so the ongoing global expansion of esports is not just possible but rather inevitable.
Future Trends in Esports
Esports is a rapidly evolving industry, and new opportunities are constantly emerging. This field is likely to change substantially as even more fans discover the appeal of competitive gaming — and as new technologies uncover cutting-edge ways to game or interact with professional athletes. Trends to get excited about include:
1. Increased Integration with Traditional Sports
Professional sports leagues like the National Basketball Association continue to integrate esports into their media portfolio. The NBA 2K League features 25 teams affiliated with NBA teams. Some squads even play matches inside the home arenas of their NBA counterparts.
The Premier League also boasts an esports league that is played using EA Sports’ popular EA Sports FC game. As esports continues to rise in popularity, it’s only a matter of time before more sports leagues run their own tournaments and competitions.
2. Advancements in Broadcasting and Viewing Technologies
New broadcasting solutions will make the experience of viewing esports events far more immersive and engaging. In the future, we may even see the integration of virtual reality into the esports space.
VR has already made waves across the spectrum of gaming, so the future looks bright for technologies that will essentially transport the viewer into the game they are watching. This could provide a compelling view of the action that simply cannot be found anywhere else.
3. Esports Growth in Education and Career Development
Esports holds strong potential beyond the scope of entertainment and recreation. As schools and training programs embrace gamification as a strategy for increasing student engagement and motivation, esports can provide an impactful opportunity to cement a range of critical concepts.
Education also must be referenced as a vehicle for entering the esports industry. There are numerous esports-focused degrees these days, along with extracurricular activities to accommodate casual players. Whether pursued for leisure or as a possible career opportunity, there are various ways for college students to embrace esports.
How to Get into Esports – Educational Pathways
Given the huge growth in professional gaming and the rapid rise of esports, it’s easy to see why employers are on the hunt for bright and passionate professionals who want to contribute to this powerful market.
This field calls for a unique blend of skills, and that’s where a targeted esports degree can come into play. Emphasizing leadership acumen while providing ample networking opportunities, this could be your chance to break into one of today’s most promising industries.Are you ready to enter the exciting world of esports? No matter your skill level as a gamer, you can benefit from a comprehensive education that addresses the nuances of this quickly expanding industry. Baker College provides exactly that with our Bachelor of Science in Sports and Esports Management. Reach out to learn more information about this unique program, or consider applying today.