Gaming and digital streaming have experienced an unprecedented surge thus far in 2020, and esports is at the front of that charge.
Stories about record growth are nothing new for esports and gaming audiences. Recent years have seen competitive gaming grow to new levels never seen before, with records being broken every year in live event viewership, prize pool offerings, and more.
What’s more, that growth has been seen across a variety of games. While some games do dominate the esports landscape, including League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Dota 2, many others also contribute. From Rocket League to Overwatch, growth in esports has proven out as a trend across different games and regions of the world.
In 2020, there has been a new and unexpected source of additional growth for the industry. Many individuals have grasped the opportunity to occupy their minds through gaming, among other things, and as a result, digital hobbies that can be pursued from home have rocketed in popularity.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a clear example of this effect. CSGO has seen record numbers of players in recent weeks, and the peak number only continues to climb. It is now among the most played games ever on Steam.
This growth isn’t just limited to competitive gaming aspects, either, and there are suggestions that some major gaming services have been unable to rise to the challenge. Riot Games and Electronic Arts have experienced interruptions due to the massive numbers of players attempting to access them simultaneously.
Likewise, digital betting platforms like online casinos have also seen spikes in growth and activity. To ensure the number of site visitors continue to rise, successful online casinos have been made to get creative in order to stand out from the crowd. 777 Casino has done this through implementing a unique retro them in its design, while the platform itself plays host to a range of high quality casino games.
What’s unclear is how long this surge in the popularity of digital gaming will continue for. As the producers continue to meed the increasing demand, that demand is likely to continue growing. For now, the digital space is the place to be. Gaming as a whole, including esports, is at the forefront.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
