Esports has witnessed rapid growth in recent years as a professional gaming industry. The rapid growth in esports has caught the attention of avid video gamers looking to go pro, investors, and sports betting enthusiasts. 

So, here’s a guide to esports for newbies. 

What is Esports?

Esports refers to competitive games that are played online by pro gamers. Esports leagues are not to be mistaken for video or mobile gaming. 

Video games and mobile games can be played by anyone for entertainment. Esports, on the hand, is played by highly professional gamers who spend several hours a day perfecting their skills. Additionally, Esports are competitive games where the players are hired, and there’s typically a prize at stake. 

Video and mobile games have a myriad of genres that are not limited to games that are suitable for pro gaming. In Esports, there’s a set category of video or mobile games that can be played in Esport Leagues. 

The Games Played in Esports

You’ll notice that the games that are played in Esport leagues lean towards certain categories or genres. 

Popular genres in professional Esport leagues include, but are not limited to:

First-person Shooters (FPS)

First-person shooter games are action video or mobile games played from the perspective of the player’s avatar. 

First-person shooter games often have various maps to explore as your avatar. You can play various modes alone, against other players, or you can complete challenges and conquer enemy teams with your teammates. 

In FPS games, you will control an avatar’s body. Alternatively, developers provide players with a scope of the game that allows them to feel as if they are the avatar. 

The player will perceive the game and scenery as if they are on the map as the avatar. Players carry weapons and control their avatar’s movements and weapons via the game controls. 

A few FPS games: 

• Alliance of Valiant Arms
• Rainbow Six: Siege
• Counter-Strike series
• Call of Duty series
• Unreal Tournament
• Halo series
• Overwatch
• Special Force II
• CrossFire

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Games (MOBA)

MOBA games are role-playing, wherein you can play solo or as part of a team. The goal in a MOBA is often to defeat enemies or to complete quests. 

A player will control an avatar or character of their choice when entering the game. The goal of MOBA is to defeat the enemy’s base, as seen in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, or to be the last team or last man standing, as seen in PUBG and Garena Free Fire. 

A few MOBA games:

• Garena Free Fire 
• PlayerUnknown’s Battleground (PUBG)
• League of Legends
• Heroes of the Storm
• Dota 2
• Smite
• Vainglory
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Arena of Valor

Fighting Games

Online or virtual fighting games pioneered the Esports industry.

In 1999, the Evolution Championship Series became one of the earliest Esports tournaments. Since then, fighting games have dominated the scene and racked in the most viewership and sponsorships. 

A few fighting games:

• Marvel vs. Capcom
• Street Fighter
• Tekken
• Super Smash Bros.

Real-time Strategy Games (RTS)

In real-time strategy games, players are tasked with building their ‘camps’ and collecting resources to further it and their overall rank. These games are often based on levels and contain a myriad of quests. 

Often, themes are war-based and can combine various eras and elements such as sword fighting and magical powers. You can join as a solo player or form a squad with your allies. Real-time strategy games often follow a theme and storyline where strategic playing is key. 

You have to level up in order to grow your kingdom, empire or territory. The more you advance, the stronger you become. You’ll be able to grow your economy and defences and conquer enemy players. 

A few real-time strategy games:

• Starcraft II
• Total War: Rome Remastered
• Company of Heroes 2
• Northgard

Sports Betting: How to Bet on Esports 

Esports is a billion-dollar industry that continues to grow. 

You can bet on the Esport leagues at a variety of places online, including Ladbrokes, which showcases current and upcoming competitions and events in the Esports industry. You can follow matches and place bets on the platform. 

It’s important to get an understanding of the games played, the professional teams, and the rules of each competition. The more you learn, the better. For the best experience, be sure to approach trustworthy and reliable sources of information.