Esports

Esports (also known as electronic sports) is a form of competition using video games. Esports often takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, individually or as teams. Although organized competitions have long been a part of video game culture, these were largely between amateurs until the late 2000s, when participation by professional gamers and spectatorship in these events through live streaming saw a large surge in popularity.

History

The earliest known video game competition took place on October 19, 1972, at Stanford University for the game Spacewar!. The event, organized by Stewart Brand, was called the "Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics" and was won by Bruce Baumgart. The grand prize was a year's subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.

The 1980s saw the rise of competitive gaming with the establishment of high score competitions and tournaments for arcade games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. The 1990s brought the advent of LAN (Local Area Network) parties and the first large-scale esports tournaments, such as the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) and the QuakeCon.

Popular Games

Several video games have been popular in the esports scene, including:

• League of Legends
• Dota 2
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Overwatch
• Fortnite
• StarCraft II

Major Tournaments

Some of the most notable esports tournaments include:

• The International (Dota 2)
• League of Legends World Championship
• Intel Extreme Masters
• Overwatch League
• Fortnite World Cup

Esports Organizations

There are numerous organizations dedicated to esports, including:

• Electronic Sports League (ESL)
• Major League Gaming (MLG)
• DreamHack
• Blizzard Entertainment
• Riot Games

Viewership and Streaming

Esports events are often streamed live on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. These platforms have significantly contributed to the growth of esports by providing a way for fans to watch live events and interact with other fans.

Professional Players

Professional esports players often belong to teams and can earn a living through sponsorships, tournament winnings, and streaming revenue. Some of the most well-known esports players include:

• Faker (League of Legends)
• N0tail (Dota 2)
• s1mple (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive)

Impact and Recognition

Esports has gained significant recognition and legitimacy over the years. Many universities now offer scholarships for esports athletes, and some countries have recognized esports players as professional athletes. The International Olympic Committee has also explored the possibility of including esports in future Olympic Games.

See Also

• Video game culture
• Professional gaming
• Live streaming
• LAN party
• Cyberathlete Professional League
• QuakeCon