Did you know that the global audience for esports games is projected to hit 250 million? More players are making their way into the virtual universe each year.
Modern surveys suggest that the esports industry generates more revenue than the music and film industries. However, playing video games is more than just a hobby for many gamers.
Professional gamers are immersing themselves in professional esports to compete for substantial prize money. With new games being unveiled every day, critics can describe the rise of esports as phenomenal. However, some games are more dominant than others.
The issue about the top esports games can mean different things to various people. While some games are a regional success, others are popular globally. Also, others set up larger tournaments with substantial money prizes while others have more players.
Among the significant games played competitively, you will find strategy games, competitive fighting games, and shooters. The following are some of the most prominent esports games out there:
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League of Legends
Did you know that League of Legends has a Simpsons parody episode? This should not be surprising since it is one of the most influential esports games ever. League of Legends is a Battle Arena game pitting playing teams against each other as different champions. Although the game initially started as a Mod for Warcraft III, its surging popularity has made it spawn its universe.
Unlike other games, its team structure allows fans to support their preferred side. With complicated strategies deployed in every play, League of Legends is deep and layered. The game’s Championship Series runs globally, with tiers rising to worldwide events.
Regarding fan following, League of legends is among the top games since it has been the most viewed esports game. Its grip on the top spot is set to last for quite a while longer, although other games are gaining fast.
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Sweet Bonanza
The game’s theme is centered on fruity candies, and its setting is a whimsical wonderland. A bright blue sky provides a background on which the sugary symbols are stacked. Its play involves gathering hard candies, lollipops, plums, bananas, and grapes.
After a spin, a player’s wins are awarded according to each symbol’s number on the screen. Sweet Bonanza’s cascade feature ensures that the winning symbols disappear after each win.
The remaining symbols drop down with new symbols rolling in to fill the vacant positions. Players are not restricted to a particular number of spins.
Apart from appearing on any reel, the Scatter symbol can also pay in any position. Despite the average volatility, Sweet Bonanza’s dreamy atmosphere and high RTP make it a great choice.
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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
CS:GO is a classic example of a competitive first-person shooter game. It is among the top esports games which have dominated the online gaming industry for some time now.
The game has garnered more interest from competitive players compared to other shooters. Although CS:GO’s tactics and skills are similar to playing a strategy game, its competitive side is different.
Competitive events are a collection of leagues organized by a third party. Usually, they end in more significant ticket events partly organized by Valve, with matching prize pools at stake.
Due to its vast popularity, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive faces stiff competition from other shooter games. However, its commitment to the essential dynamics of the genre and immersive gameplay make it one of the top esports games around.
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DOTA 2
Before eventually snowballing out into its colossus of a game, DOTA 2 started as a mod for Warcraft III. The game presents gamers with intricate strategies and different characters to play. Two teams with five players each play against each other in matches. A team wins by destroying their opponent’s ‘Ancient’ structure in their stronghold.
Valve set up Defence of the Ancients (DOTA) 2 as an esports game by hosting invitations of the initial mod’s best players. This played a crucial role in the transition into the real DOTA 2, which has a massive competitive scene ongoing. The game has become one of the best paying and most viewed esports games.
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Overwatch
Although no less accomplished, Overwatch is among the youngest titles in top esports games. It is a hero shooter having teams play as different characters in a first-person shooter format. Overwatch’s array of cast members differentiates it from other games.
Besides dramatically varying hitboxes, all heroes have their weapons, powers, and movement styles. This presents players with an ever-evolving puzzle when building a team with corresponding heroes.
Overwatch’s popularity has grown, and its events garner significantly higher attendances than some significant sports. With the game set for a sequel soon, most critics hope to see if that will not split the competitive community.
Although the game is relatively younger than other games occupying the top spots, its rapidly growing popularity guarantees its spot as one of the best esports games.
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Starcraft
Released in 1998, it is one of the oldest popular esports titles. It would be best to keep in mind that rather than the bizarre Nintendo 64 version, it is the PC incarnation of the game played competitively.
It is a concurrent strategy game emphasizing split-second decisions, well-calculated strategy, and maintaining calmness under pressure. Starcraft’s competitive scene is enormous. The entry barriers to competitive playing are very high, and even the tiniest mechanics have been learned.
Starcraft’s top mechanics are responsible for keeping players interested for 22 years. Even though the game’s visuals have been recently updated, its mechanics and gameplay are still identical to the original version.
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PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Designed and played like Fortnite, the main aim of PlayerUnknown’s Battleground (PUBG) is to be the last player standing. On the contrary, PUBG does not stick to the standard genre rules. It combines the top features of open-world games with the workings of a great first-person shooter while accommodating player bases similar to MMOs.
In PUBG, all the gameplay elements are correctly balanced. For instance, players choose any spot on the map to parachute down, all players start weaponless, and a blue dome regularly reduces the playable area. Its gameplay may be tense, but it is exceptionally entertaining. With a prize pool of more than $2 million, it is poised to remain one of the biggest esports games in the market.
