KEYNOTE SPEAKER: WHY ARE eSPORTS AND VIDEO GAMES SO POPULAR?

Working as longstanding eSports keynote speakers and video game futurists, we’ve seen these respective fields change and evolve greatly over past decades. Interestingly, the industry’s popularity tends to wax and wave over time – but lately, it’s been on the upswing in a big way. But why? Speaking as eSports keynote speakers and video game futurists, one might argue that the space has gained huge popularity over the past decade for a variety of reasons:

• Video games are now mainstream entertainment. Gaming is no longer a niche hobby and eSports taps into that massive, passionate audience.
• Anyone can play. Unlike traditional athletics which require innate physical gifts, anyone with access to a game and hardware can participate in eSports. This accessibility broadens the appeal.
• Online streaming. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube allow fans to easily watch gaming competitions for free from anywhere. Streaming generated massive interest and makes events highly visible.
• Big events and personalities. Large tournaments and star players have given the space drama and exciting narratives that fans follow closely.
• College scholarships. Top players can now earn athletic scholarships to compete for university teams which added legitimacy to the practice as a career path.
• Huge prize pools. The International’s prize pool exceeded $30 million in 2019. Seeing top players compete for fortunes draws interest.
• Team loyalty. Fans regularly cheer for organizations in the field much like they do for their favorite traditional sports teams.
• Industry investment. Major sponsors and sports franchises are buying into eSports and bringing money and visibility to the competitions.
• Youth appeal. Competitive gaming represents a digital, future-focused sport that uniquely appeals to young demographics.

So in essence, as eSports keynote speakers and video game futurists often point out, the sector has managed to make video gaming exciting to watch through competition, and turn gamers into sports stars and role models. Despite recent hiccups with some business firms, overall momentum certainly shows no signs of slowing down.