Phones are far more accessible for potential esports gamers
You will probably have heard of esports. Gaming has been revolutionized by the way that competition has taken off, rivaling the more traditional sports we are more used to seeing on our TVs. Esports has now risen in popularity so much that there is talk of some titles being part of the Olympics instead of just the gaming version.
Unsurprisingly, for a world driven by technological advancements and developments, esports has now pushed on to a new stage of its evolution with the incredible popularity of mobile titles. Where there was once a need for hi-tech kit if a gamer wanted to succeed in the world of competitive esports, now just a mobile phone and a good connection are needed.
The likes of Dota 2, League of Legends, and Fortnite are still major players in the scene, of course. But there are mobile-specific titles that are now being played – and watched – at the same kind of levels (many times with even bigger viewerships). Now that the fans can follow their favorites – and even put their money where their mouth is on the ultimate mobile sportsbooks – it could be argued that this new form of competitive gaming will be the future of esports.
From the Arcade to the Arena
We have come a long way from the arcade competitions of the 1970s. Video games have always been popular and gamers have always wanted to be able to determine who the very best is. Back in the midst of time, that meant enterprising entrepreneurs putting on arcade events with cash prizes. But technology has transformed the way we now enjoy gaming competitions.
The boom in home computer use in the 1980s and 1990s expanded the ability for organizers to put on large-scale events – and then the internet changed everything entirely. Better online connections made it even easier for the esports world to develop and take the biggest events into stadiums and arenas that were originally built for more traditional sports.
The Mobile Revolution
But it is this latest development in the esports community that is truly fascinating. For a long time, mobile games were enjoyable enough but just didn’t have the capabilities or production values to support the communities and scenes that are needed for a title to grow to the size of games like League of Legends and CS:GO.
The developers didn’t even envisage mobile titles becoming so popular. At the beginning of the 2010s, the prospect of virtual reality (VR) and even handheld consoles leading the way seemed to be more likely. Although both those areas have enjoyed a boom in recent years, mobile titles have really taken off, taking many experts by surprise.
Accessibility
One of the major reasons for the increase in mobile gaming and esports is the accessibility that comes with it. We have already mentioned that consoles and home computers can be expensive, which means that many potential gamers are missing out.
However, smartphones are common across the world and much easier to acquire.
As with any area of esports, there are levels of play and viewership that can be reached with better devices. But even basic smartphones have the functions needed to play and enjoy esports events. Android devices, in particular, are much cheaper than consoles, and now, gamers can play advanced titles from the palm of their hands.
Technological Developments
Smartphones have been getting smarter over the last few years and that has allowed game developers to concentrate on producing esports titles that are just as good as anything that was previously only available on more expensive pieces of kit. Mobile games are no longer the poor relations in the esports world.
Although the devices have gotten better, the real reason for mobile esports becoming so popular is the rollout of 5G networks. This form of internet connectivity has allowed gamers around the world to play very technologically advanced titles. The boosted connectivity means less lag and faster loading times.
Building a Community
No game title can become a popular esport without the ability to grow a scene or community. There are, of course, some aspects and elements needed from the game itself. But if a community cannot organically grow, there is no chance of the game becoming the kind of esport that attracts billions of views or has its own global events.
Because there are far more people around the world who own a smartphone than own a PC or console, there is actually more chance of a scene being created for the right mobile titles. Once there is a demand for events, the organizers will step in and be able to attract sponsors that allow the events – and the communities – to flourish.
Diversification in Esports
The way that mobile games have taken over esports should be applauded, if only because they have made that world far more diverse. It only makes sense that if games and consoles are expensive in the first place, there are huge demographics who will be missing out on the opportunity to participate.
With greater diversification, the gaming and esports worlds can better reflect the players, and different groups will bring their own ideas and developments to the fore. Gaming was in danger of becoming a far more homogenous place a few years ago, but the rise of mobile titles has definitely changed that.
The Future of Mobile Gaming
Somewhat ironically, North America and Europe have actually found themselves behind the curve as mobile gaming and esports have taken off, allowing the scene to grow in places that maybe hadn’t experienced as much involvement previously. The success of titles like Clash Royale, PUBG Mobile, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has meant that those wealthier regions are now only catching up.
Although some of the mobile games may not be as technically advanced as other more traditional esports titles, they have proved popular, and that has fueled the rush to grow the scene even more. Soon, it may well be the case that more people will play mobile esports titles than PC- and console-based games combined.
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