2019-02-18T16:30:40 01:00

eSports: From Dota to PUBG - Everything you need to know

In this guide to eSports we explain to you

what eSports are
which genres and games are particularly popular
which eSports events you can't afford to miss

everyone is talking about eSports. The new form of electronic sports is always making headlines. This is not surprising, as prize money is increasing rapidly and professional clubs see an opportunity to gain a foothold in this young sports category.

But eSports often struggles with misunderstandings and prejudices. We want to bring light into the darkness. That's why this guide focuses, among other things, on which genres and games are particularly popular or whether eSports could soon be an Olympic discipline.

Guide table of contents

1. What is eSport?

eSports refers to a competition that is carried out with the help of a computer or console. Online or offline, opponents compete against each other in individual or team competitions. Thus, eSports have theoretically existed since the first video game with a Versus mode. However, it was only with the spread of the Internet that it developed into the global phenomenon it is today.

2. Which genres & games are particularly popular?

eSports is as diverse as normal sports. Therefore, there are many eSports games from many different genres that are watched online on sites like Twitch and YouTube or offline at events by numerous viewers.

Sports games

Sports and eSports - they just go together. Everyone knows the rules and the graphics are now so realistic that you'll think you're watching a real sporting event. Of course, the most popular sport in the world is at the forefront: soccer.

With FIFA, the publisher EA releases a new version of the successful series every year. In addition to the new modes (like the Champions League in FIFA 19), the gameplay changes are especially important for the eSports season. By the way, it's called theGlobal Series.

To qualify for the grand finals (the FIFA eWorld Cup), players have to collect points in tournaments like the monthly FUT Champions Cups during the season. Meanwhile, Bundesliga clubs like VfL Wolfsburg and FC Schalke 04 are also active in eSports. Tennis is also on the move: The French Tennis Federation has launched the "Tennis World Tour eSports" tournament in cooperation with publisher Bigben Interactive.

First-person shooter

A lot of flair, a steady pulse and a good strategy are required for first-person shooters in eSports. The number of popular games is large. Thanks to numerous tournaments and professionally set up teams, Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) from Valve established itself as one of the biggest eSports titles around.

The gameplay is fast-paced and quickly gets the adrenaline pumping. CS:GO is also a perennial favorite among the most popular video games on Twitch. Another representative is Overwatch.

Blizzard has not only released a popular game with this first-person shooter, but is doing everything it can to make the successful hero shooter a permanent fixture in the eSports world. In the Overwatch League teams compete against each other. They represent cities - just like in traditional sports. Regular events and, of course, the grand finale at the end of the season take place here.

In Ubisoft's team shooter Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, cooperation and the right choice of operators are the trump cards. Teams from Europe, North America, Latin America, Japan or Korea compete against each other in the professional league.

RTS

The genre of Real Time Strategy is firmly intertwined with eSports. The reason for this is StarCraft from Blizzard. In South Korea in particular, the StarCraft series thrills millions of viewers and has turned some eSports players into real megastars.

MOBA

For many, MOBAs are an evolution of RTS games. With a choice of hundreds of heroes or champions, players must assemble the perfect team and capture opponents' bases. Games are played on a precisely symmetrical map. In eSports, the MOBA genre has clearly trumped its big brother RTS - this is due to two games at once.

League of Legends (LoL) from Riot Games for the PC is an eSports giant with millions in prize money and countless spectators. From arenas to broadcasts: LoL exemplifies how professional modern eSports can look. This is also reflected in its popularity.

Similarly huge is Dota 2 from Valve for PC. At the International 2018, the biggest tournament of the year, the prize money was over 25 million US dollars. 18 teams competed, with commentators accompanying the event in English, Russian and Chinese.

Fighting games

In contrast to complicated genres such as MOBA, everyone immediately understands what fighting games are all about. Two opponents face each other - whoever is still standing at the end wins. Once again, two series dominate the eSports scene.

Street Fighter from Capcom might have been the first fighting game for many. Ryu's Hadouken is one of the most famous attacks in video game history. Throughout the year, Capcom Pro Tour tournaments are held, where the best players qualify for the finals (Capcom Cup). Currently, in : Arcade Edition on PlayStation 4 fights against each other.

Heated discussions are ignited around the second major fighting game. Some think the term "party game" would be more appropriate for it. Of course, we are talking about the Smash Bros. series from Nintendo, which is currently providing hot battles with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Here, opponents have to catapult each other out of the arena.

Battle Royale

The latest eSports genre has a simple premise: 100 players compete, and the last one left wins. Two titles represent this gameplay and brought the big Battle Royale hype to the world of eSports.

PUBG () kicked off the big craze and offers a serious battle royale experience. The developers have big eSports plans for 2019. Six regional professional leagues around the world are set to launch, each with their own tournaments. At the end of the season, the Global Championships are on the horizon.

In Fortnite from Epic Games, there is not only dancing, but also shooting. 100 opponents land on an island and have to eliminate each other in order to win the "Epic Victory" at the end. Unlike PUBG, you collect resources and knock buildings out of the ground, which gives the gameplay its very own twist. Fortnite is slowly getting rolling, with developers planning major streaming tools and entire tournament series with an eSports focus. Fortnite also recently got a powerful competitor in the form of Apex Legends.

3. Who are the biggest eSports players?

Over the years, several top teams have formed to compete for trophies in several eSports games. Well-known names include Team Liquid from the Netherlands, who are particularly successful in Dota. Evil Geniuses from North America, OG from Europe or Fnatic from England are as well-known in eSports as Bundesliga clubs. Individual players like KuroKy, SumalL, N0tall and flusha are even cheered like professional footballers.

Currently, however, the best-known individual athlete is probably Ninja who plays Fortnite. The Twitch streamer has already celebrated some successes in the still young eSports. As far as Smash Bros. for Wii U is concerned, there is a clear front-runner. Gonzalo Barrios, better known as ZeRo, won an unimaginable 56 tournaments in a row in 2015.

4. Which eSports events should I definitely not miss?

DreamHack is a gaming festival for eSports, cosplay, LAN parties and more. It takes place in Leipzig. Titles such as Smash Bros, Hearthstone andgespielt are played here.
EVO is the largest fighting game tournament in the world and takes place every year in Las Vegas, USA. Besides Street Fighter and Smash Bros. there are other titles to see.
The Invitational is the highlight of the Dota 2 season and captivates millions of viewers around the world every year.
League of Legends World can't match the prize money of Dota 2, but there are a lot of loyal fans here as well.

5. Will eSports soon be Olympic?

This question comes up again and again and is hotly debated. For now, however, the answer is clearly: no. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, has given a clear rejection to eSports at the Olympics for the near future.

6. What status do eSports have in other countries?

While Germany is still timid when it comes to promoting eSports, other countries have long since discovered the potential. South Korea is leading the way. eSports players are considered athletes and can also rise to TV stardom after a successful career in StarCraft. Not only that - South Korea has become a favorite in many well-known eSports titles over the years.

China is also investing heavily in eSports. For example, training centers are being built to develop the country's best video gamers as much as possible. Games like Dota 2 and PUBG are particularly popular in the Middle Kingdom.

But you don't have to look that far afield. Denmark leads the way: The relatively small country in Europe has become one of the top nations in CS:GO.

7. How can I become an eSports player myself?

Join in and train a lot. Whether it's at or Overwatch, games with an eSports focus often offer a corresponding mode where things really get down to business. The right equipment can't hurt either, we recommend anodersowie . Fast internet and one are also helpful to compete against the best.

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