From humble beginnings to massive global events, esports is changing the way we think about gaming. The competitions, or tournaments, feature professional gamers competing in video games in organized matches with prizes and recognition. These events can be played online or in-person and attract large audiences that rival traditional sports.
Esports can be organized into a regular season and playoffs, with teams earning points or rankings based on their performance. The top ranked teams then face off in championships for the ultimate title. The leagues that organize these matches set standardized rules, which ensure fair competition and help teams develop strategies for victory.
One of the biggest esports tournaments is The International, which features 16 teams playing Dota 2 for massive prize pools. These tournaments are often crowdfunded by players who pay a fee for in-game items that can be exchanged for a ticket to the event.
Some of the most famous esports players include Faker, the legendary mid-laner for Team Liquid in League of Legends, and s1mple, a world champion player in Counter-Strike. Esports also boasts a large roster of coaches and managers who help guide teams through the toughest times.
As the popularity of esports continues to grow, universities have started to offer bachelor’s degrees specifically focused on the industry. The University of North Dakota, for example, is the first in the US to offer an interdisciplinary degree that covers kinesiology, communications, and business to prepare students for careers in esports.