Most Popular Esports: What Games Are Taking the Lead?

With esports games becoming popular, the number of the global audience for it will reach 318 million people. Esports has gained huge popularity very fast, for this reason, with new games coming out every year. However, some of them are over the top. 

There are many games that are popular all over the world, while some have become big hits in certain regions. Some games have a huge number of players, while others host larger tournaments with big cash prizes.

In this blog, we’ve listed the biggest esports games based on the prize money awarded in tournaments. Join us as we explore the biggest esports games, and you can even place a bet at the top online casino in Singapore.

DOTA 2

DOTA 2 is one of the most famous esports games, developed by Valve Corporation. This game is a sequel to the original DOTA mod for Warcraft III. Two teams of five players each fight to destroy each other’s Ancient, a large structure inside the base. 

DOTA 2 features enormous depth, with strategies, teamwork, quick thinking, and excellent performance all playing important roles. With millions of players from all over the world and tournaments with the highest prize pools, DOTA 2 is an incredibly significant game that has taken a great place in people’s hearts.

Release Year: 2013

Total Prize Money: $340.2 million

Notable Tournaments: The International 

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, better known as CSGO, is a super popular video game developed by Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment.  Released in 2012, CSGO is a first-person shooter game that’s actually a sequel to the earlier games in the Counter-Strike series.

In this game, players join either a team of terrorists or counter-terrorists and work together to complete objectives like planting or defusing bombs, rescuing hostages, or eliminating the opposing team. 

The goal of the game is not only to win rounds but also to outsmart and outplay the other team using strategy and teamwork.

Release Year: 2012

Total Prize Money: $162 million

Notable Tournaments: CS: GO Major Championships and PGL Major Stockholm

Fortnite

Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, is a massively popular battle royale game that came out in 2017. It’s a sequel to the earlier “Fortnite: Save the World” mode. The main objective in the game is to be the last person standing by defeating other players on the battlefield and building structures for defense, and strategy. 

The game’s graphics and gameplay feature vibrant colors and are popular among the esports community. Much like how finding the best online casino Singapore can enhance the gaming experience, discovering esports games like Fortnite can make the world of online entertainment more exciting and engaging.

Release Year: 2017

Total Prize Money: $174.2 million

Notable Tournaments: Fortnite World Cup Finals and Fortnite Fall Skirmish Series

League of Legends

One of the most popular online multiplayer games was developed by Riot Games in 2009. As a prominent example of the multiplayer online battle arena, it has gained the hearts of millions due to its compelling strategy gameplay and vibrant characters. It is not a direct sequel in terms of a storyline but builds the initial ideas from earlier games in a way that makes it completely different from others.

The primary mission of the game is to destroy the enemy’s Nexus, a structure situated at the core of the opposing team’s base, where the champions are born. Indeed, League of Legends is a must-watch of the significant esports events, which introduces considerable prize money. In Lion City, you can become a part of this exciting event and follow the tournaments with the trusted online casino in Singapore – blending gameplay and betting.

Release Year: 2009

Total Prize Money: $105 million

Notable Tournaments: LoL World Championship

Overwatch

Overwatch is one of the most popular esports games developed by Blizzard Entertainment.  Launched in 2016, this game is a team-based shooter where players work together to complete different objectives. It is not a continuation or a sequel of another game but rather a completely new and original concept created by Blizzard.

In Overwatch, two teams of six players each select a hero from the roster to play the game. There are many different types of heroes, each with a unique set of powers. The main purpose is to allow the team to capture points on the map or escort a payload; the second team, in turn, attempts to bring down the first one and gain control of the map. This unique and engaging game has a large following in the esports community.

Release Year: 2016

Total Prize Money: $34.6 million

Notable Tournaments: Overwatch League

Frequently Asked Questions

How is esports different from traditional video games?

Esports is competitive gaming at a professional level, often with organized tournaments and large audiences. Unlike traditional video games which you can play solo or casually with friends, esports focuses on teamwork, strategy, and skill. 

When was the very first esports tournament?

The first esports tournament in history was held in October 1972 at Stanford University. It was called the “Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics,” and the competition was conducted in the game Spacewar. The reward was a symbolic prize- one one-year subscription to the “Rolling Stone” magazine. It is amazing how far esports has gone since then.

Why do esports have a huge prize pool?

Esports have high prize pools because they can attract hundreds of millions of viewers globally, which can generate significant revenue from sponsorships, advertisements, and ticket sales.