Online gaming
The Rise of Esports
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Competitive gaming known as esports has gained popularity in years as professional gamers face off in organized competitions featuring popular video games, like League of Legends and Counter Strike; Global Offensive, for substantial prize money and sponsorships.
The surge, in esports popularity is partly attributed to the ease of access and the welcoming nature of gaming compared to sports that demand costly gear and physical strength to participate in it fully; esports allows individuals, with just a computer or gaming console and an internet connection to partake in the excitement of competitive gaming scene on a worldwide scale. Esports has evolved into a billion dollar industry where skilled gamers now earn salaries and lucrative sponsorships and endorsements comparable, to those of athletes, in mainstream sports.
Despite the growth of esports, in years the industry is not without its share of hurdles and debates to tackle head on. Conundrums such as cheating, match fixing and drug use have marred this world raising doubts about its credibility and ethical standing. Moreover worries persist about the effects on the well being of gamers who dedicate extensive hours, to training and competition in front of screens. Yet as esports expands and gains approval, in the mainstream scene of gaming culture; it’s apparent that competitive gaming is firmly rooted and poised to progress further in molding the landscape of online gaming for years to come.