What we know as E-sports began gaining popularity in the 1990s. Today, E-sports are a multi-billion-dollar business that continues to boom and attracts new enthusiasts. Competitive gaming allows players to make millions, and there are a variety of tournaments held around the world. Getting into competitive gaming can be difficult, but we can help. In this article, we provide tips and useful information for enthusiasts that are interested in testing their abilities on the digital battlefield.
Historical Background of E-Sports
Competitive gaming is hardly new. In fact, E-sports began back in the 1970s and 80s, as crowds placed bets on the best local video game players in arcades. It wasn’t until the 1990s, though, that leagues and tournaments began to form around popular first-person shooters and other video games. Although live broadcasts were abandoned due to poor ratings, competitive gaming eventually underwent something of a resurgence. Industry advances in broadband and video-streaming technology have made E-sports more accessible and popular than ever before.
How to Become a Competitive Gamer
Only games that can be played competitively are eligible to become an E-sport. Some of the most popular games are League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Overwatch, and many more. Tournaments are often hosted by game developers or independent planners, and you can stream them live to keep up with all the action.
Getting started in E-sports can be difficult, but you can make the transition easier by investing in quality components and accessories. First-person shooters will require top-of-the-line headsets with a quality microphone. Team-based competitions require all players to work together. Without a microphone, you can’t communicate and teammates are not likely to take you seriously as a competitive gamer. Be an asset to your team, not a hindrance.
As with any competitive sport, industry terminology is essential to success. We recommend that you research terms and common strategies to ensure that you can explain your thoughts clearly to your team and the competition. You will make plenty of mistakes as you get started, but practice makes perfect and you must be willing to learn from any mistakes during gameplay. However, you shouldn’t have to tolerate name-calling or harassment. Mastering the mute button will help you avoid any unsportsmanlike conduct.
Competitive gamers are often playing for cash prizes or bragging rights. International competitions can also include sponsorship deals. Some leagues offer salaried positions and player rights. Tournaments such as these are often held in large arenas or stadiums. You can also watch competitions online, but some platforms win exclusive rights. Helping enthusiasts that are new to competitive gaming, sportscasters will sometimes explain characters, abilities, and other aspects of the game being played.
Though learning more about the characters in a particular game you want to play is valuable, one of the greatest tools you can possibly use in competitive gaming is visual cues. With first-person shooters, it can be helpful to know what different gun models are designed to do or how they should be used. If you are interested in starting a career in competitive gaming, you should watch or play in a few different competitions, as well as a variety of genres. Gaming offers an incredible payoff to those that learn and correct their mistakes along the way.