John-ShepardIf you like to check out various eSports events, you aren't the only one.
The popularity of eSports continues to rise, as evidenced by a recently released IHS Technology report. The report (via Gamasutra ), claims that fans watched 2.4 billion hours of eSports video in 2013.
That's way up from the 1.3 billion hours recorded in 2012 and by 2018, the number is expected to hit 6.6 billion. Significantly, 2013 is the first year eSports viewing online surpassed the hours people spend watching TV…and it wasn't even close. Nearly three times as many hours were spent watching eSports as opposed to TV shows. The most popular game on the eSports circuit is League of Legends , followed by Dota 2 and Starcraft II . Said IHS digital media research director Dan Cryan:
"ESports videos have rapidly transformed from a niche activity into a widely-watched, global, cross-platform entertainment category. Several factors are contributing to the surge in esports viewing. These include the fact that key game titles have reached maturity and game publishers are taking a major role in promoting esports competitions. Furthermore, eSports viewing has been boosted by the emergence of online video platforms that are capable of handling large-scale live audiences."
The eSports market might be worth $300 million annually by 2018, and that's a very big chunk of change. I guess I'm in the minority because I've never watched a single minute of eSports competition, let alone hours. I mean, what's there to see? Well, obviously, a lot of people like it.
What's there to see? Jeesh, only amazing athletes of unprecedented finesse and physical conditioning and skill…. of course.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 6/2/2014 11:16:22 PM
IMO I still refuse to call them athletes. Though I watch LoL weekly and more, and definitely love watching speedrunners a ton.
Last edited by LegendaryWolfeh on 6/3/2014 5:10:43 AM
Honestly I could probably use some amusing game video during the summer break. I love when things go nuts in a game and it gets captured on vid, I just never really went in search of such clips I only click them when people in here leave a link.
If I have the time to sit and watch other people video game, I'd rather spending being the one playing the video game.
thats a pritty crazy number of hours and the money too is pritty big too aye
happy gaming =)