Is esports the next generation of competitive sports?

As the popularity of esports continues to rise, here at Overclockers UK our team of enthusiasts have decided to compile everything we know about this new generation of gaming.

From what is esports, how to get involved, popular games, and what PCs are the best for esports – all your questions will be answered in due course!

What is Esports?

Esports, or electronic sports, is used to describe video games that feature a professional competitive league. Such as the Overwatch League or Valorant Champions.

Esports usually takes the form of an organised multiplayer competition. This is often between leagues of professional players, either as a team or as individuals. The popularity of these large-scale organised competitions boomed in the 2000s when professional teams began to take part in live-streamed events. Since then, esports has become a fundamental aspect of the video game industry, with more games, players, and competitions taking place every year.

The History of Esports

The earliest note of competitive video gaming is in October 1972 at Stanford University where students played the game Spacewar. The prize for the winner was a year subscription to the infamous Rolling Stone magazine!

After which, the rise of arcade games, such as Space Invaders and Pacman popularised video gaming and the concept of tracking high scores and competition. In the 1980s and 90s, the early Nintendo consoles and games continued the rise of esports. Nintendo launched their first world championship in the 1990s, which went on to be a roaring success with the next event’s finale being held in California.

The rise of the internet resulted in what we see today. Notably, this is thanks to the evolution of PC gaming and first-person shooters (FPS). The earliest example is Counter-Strike: Global Offense, which launched in 1999. In the early 2000s, the game entered the esports industry and offered players 150,000 dollars’ worth of prize money!

Today, platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, allow for competitive gaming to be live-streamed across the globe. Fans can get involved in the chat and cheer on their favourite professional leagues from the comfort of their own homes.

How Do You Get Involved in Esports?

Getting involved in esports is simple!

All you need is a PC and a passion for gaming.

The best way to get started is to remember that practice makes perfect. Keep playing and soon you will develop core strengths in certain characters, weaponry, or abilities. As you do so, get involved in tournaments and events. Check if your school, college, or university has an esports club and take part in the opportunities.

Social media is your best friend. Get involved, make your own page, consider creating your own Twitch or YouTube live stream to show off your talents to the world. If you need some tips on how to get started with PC streaming – why not check out our dedicated Overclockers UK Academy post?

Can You Make a Career in Esports?

Gaming is not just for fun or a way to pass the time after work. With esports continuing to rise in popularity, more and more people are creating a career in the industry.

Whether you perfect your talents and begin your own Twitch stream, or get involved with the professional leagues through marketing or social media – the skills you learn through esports are flexible and transferrable into different careers.

What Games are Popular in Esports?

Some of the most popular games in the esports industry include:

League of Legends
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Overwatch
Valorant

Do these games have professional leagues?

In short, the answer is … yes!

Most popular games will feature their own esports league for you to get involved with. Some examples of which are:

Overwatch League
League of Legends World Championships
Valorant Champions
ESL Pro League

Esports and the Commonwealth Games:

For the first time in history, esports were a part of the British Commonwealth Games in 2022.

160 athletes from 28 other Commonwealth countries arrived in Birmingham to take part in the Commonwealth Esports Championships. Players went head-to-head in three major competitive video games, DOTA 2, eFootball series, and Rocket League. Players earn bronze, silver, and gold medals in each competition.

Want to see how the England team faired at the Commonwealth Games? Check out our blog post.

7 members of the England Esports team posing with their medals after the Womens Dota 2 esports event at the Commonwealth Esports Championships

Overclockers UK Top PCs for Esports:

To kickstart your future in the esports industry, we’ve included some of our top gaming PCs that OcUK has on offer. These PCs are packed with the latest hardware, perfect for playing your favourite esports games. What’s more, these PCs have been tailored to suit every type of budget for both entry-level and enthusiast-grade gaming.

However, if they don’t suit your vibe or chosen competitive game, you can shop our full range of gaming PCs by clicking the button. You can filter your PCs recs by your chosen game to ensure you find the perfect upgrade for you.

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