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Electronic sports

At the pinnacle of virtual entertainment

An Overview of the Esports Industry

What is it about?

Electronic sports, commonly known as esports, refers to competitive digital gaming where individuals or teams compete in various video games, either at physical LAN tournaments or online. It’s important to note that esports is not a single discipline but rather an umbrella term encompassing a wide range of competitive video games and genres.

Esports is not just about gaming; it is also a global entertainment and cultural phenomenon that has cultivated a dedicated and financially influential audience. The ecosystem-like esports industry employs professionals from a diverse range of fields, contributing to its dynamic growth and sustainability.

Kuva e-urheiluareenasta Elisa Masters -kilpapelitapahtumassa. Lavavalojen keilat ovat sinisiä ja oransseja. yleisöä on rajattu pois kuvasta ja huomio kiinnittyy suureen peliscreeniin.

Point of view

Gaming as A sport?

Competitive gaming is a modern form of sports that can also be compared to more traditional disciplines. Esports athletes train both professionally and purposefully, creating a fan culture around them.

In Finland, the most popular competetive esports organizations are ENCE Esports and Havu Gaming. Some of the Finnish esports athletes have also reached the top – for example Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen in CS2 or Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka in Dota 2.

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Competitive gaming

Esports genres

Esports encompasses a variety of game genres, each offering unique gameplay and competitive experiences.

First-Person Shooters (FPS)
Games like Counter-Strike and Valorant emphasize precision, strategy, and teamwork in fast-paced combat scenarios using tactics, reflexes, and strategy to defeat opponents.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBA) Titles like League of Legends and Dota 2 focus on team coordination, strategy, and skillful control of characters with unique abilities.

Battle Royale
Games such as Fortnite and PUBG challenge players to survive and outlast others in large-scale, dynamic environments.
Strategy (RTS)
Classics like StarCraft II test players’ ability to execute strategies under time pressure. RTS games involve players managing resources, building bases, and commanding units in real-time to defeat opponents.

Sports and Racing
Sports and racing games, like FIFA and Rocket League are popular genres within esports, offering a competitive environment where players can simulate virtual sports.
Fighting Games
In fighting games, players battle each other in combat, often with a focus on skillful moves and combos. Key fighting games include Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.