By Constantinos Massonos, Contributor
Electronic games first appeared in the 1960s. Their rapid growth is closely tied to advances in computing over the last 60 years. The rise of the internet and the World Wide Web allowed players to compete online without needing to be in the same place. Competitive gaming became known as eSports, and the players involved are called e-Athletes, much like traditional athletes. These competitors don’t just play for fun—they can earn large sums in global tournaments.
While eSports is only a small part of the gaming industry, it’s growing fast—by nearly 38% last year alone. It shares a similar business model with traditional sports, including revenue from sponsorships, advertising, media rights, and licensing. Still, eSports has unique traits that make it difficult to predict its future using traditional sports models. Below are key issues that will shape its development.
1. Game Variety and Viewer Accessibility
Most popular eSports titles fall into just a few categories—mainly Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBA). These games are complex and hard to follow for new viewers, which can limit audience growth. Although gamers respect MOBAs for their strategy and skill, more accessible genres—like shooters, sports, and mobile games—could attract wider audiences and bring in new e-Athletes.
2. Lack of Structured Governance
Unlike traditional sports, eSports lacks a global structure. There’s no clear system linking local, national, and international competitions. This disconnect makes it hard to attract big sponsors, who prefer established systems. For growth, eSports needs organized leagues and tournaments supported by professional marketers and governing bodies at all levels.
3. Regulation and Fair Play
The rapid rise of eSports has outpaced the creation of rules and standards. With prize money and betting now involved, regulations are essential. To prevent cheating and match-fixing, organizers must use betting monitoring software. The rise of performance-enhancing drug use also highlights the need for Anti-Doping controls, similar to those in traditional sports.
4. Media Rights and Ownership Issues
Media rights in eSports are complicated. It’s unclear who owns the rights to broadcast eSports events. This limits income from TV deals—one of the biggest revenue streams in traditional sports. Unlike football or basketball, eSports titles are owned by companies. This difference makes media rights a legal and commercial challenge that must be resolved.
5. Olympic Recognition
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) started discussing eSports inclusion in 2018. Joining the Olympics would be a major breakthrough, giving e-Athletes a chance to win medals and boosting the sport’s legitimacy. While this process will take time, it shows that eSports is being taken seriously on a global scale.
6. The Future of eSports
eSports is not slowing down. Stadiums fill with fans eager to watch top-level gameplay. Opportunities for e-Athletes are growing, but so is the competition. Like traditional athletes, success in eSports requires hard work and discipline. Those who still see gaming as a hobby haven’t realized how competitive and global this industry has become.
The Money Smart Athlete team is here to help you with any questions you may have regarding eSports, their future and the potential challenges for e-athletes. You can contact us at [email protected] and we will be happy to be of assistance!