One has been holding video game competitions worldwide for two decades, the USA has acknowledged League of Legends as a real kind of sports since 2013, while Russia has officially approved eSports since 2017.
ESports is the whole industry and a subculture in the meantime. ESports tournaments draw a million audience, and prize pools of such contests reach sums with the quite alluring amount of figures.
Dota 2
A multi-user online battle arena, Dota 2, is one of the most active eSports disciplines: its competitions are carried out across the globe, and prize funds impress even the most experienced gamers. For instance, The International drew $25.5 million in 2018.
Valve conducts Dota Pro Circuit professional seasons throughout the year, Dota 2 tournaments are broadcasted on large video streaming services monitored by millions of users.
Release date: 2013.
- The greatest tournament: The International.
- Maximum prize pool: $25.5 million in 2018.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
The most popular and globally renowned shooter, which eSports competitions have been taking place since 2013. Millions of gamers are fond of CS:GO. game features a user-friendly tournament system: developers (Valve) cooperates with such independent organizers as ESL or ЕLeague.
2018, the shooter changed a bit the format of major competitions. Currently, they consist of three stages: New Challengers, New Legends, and New Champions, which corresponds to LAN, group stage, and playoff. The prize fund of CS:GO Major Championships is $1 million year by year.
- Release date: 2012.
- The greatest tournament: CS:GO Major Championships.
- Maximum prize pool: $1 million in 2018.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or PUBG for short, is one of the Steam leaders. 18 million copies of the game were sold eight months after its launch. According to the plot, characters should obtain resources and weapon in order to become the only hero surviving the fight. The competition is quite severe!
2019, PUBG Europe League became a part of the common eSports system. The first European professional league of PUBG Corporation (PUBG Corp.) was introduced in January, together with StarLadder. The prize fund of PUBG Europe League (PEL) and League of Contenders will be €1 million over the year.
- Release date: 2017.
- The greatest tournament: StarSeries i-League PUBG.
- Maximum prize pool: €1 million in 2019.
eSports zone at WEGAME 5.0
LAN tournaments beat any online competition due to an adrenaline rush it causes. Will fans support your team or jeer at it? Will you beat competitors or watch them triumph? Offline tournaments force you to leave your shell. Here, players will come face to face with rivals and crowds of fans.
Massively multiplayer online games