How advanced technology drives the esports industry forward

By William Davis

|

May 23, 2022

Reading time: 4 min

In the last several years, the esports sector has expanded significantly compared to its early days. It’s easy to think that esports culture is similar to traditional sports, but it’s instead evolved into its own kind of community and industry. Esports represents the intersection of technology and sports entertainment, so technological leaps have only made esports more popular. Here are some of the big developments that have caused esports to grow rapidly over the last few years.

High-definition graphics are crucial for spectating esports

When it comes to online games, graphics can make or break a game’s chances of being a hit. The graphics in games used to be pretty rudimentary with either low-quality 3D graphics or simple pixel-based sprites. Compared to modern games, early video games can look like a completely different medium.

But as technology has improved, video game graphics have progressed to a whole new level. Now models and textures can be extremely high-resolution with incredibly complex animation. The graphics of today’s games are so lifelike that it can be difficult to discern the difference between digital games and real life gaming. For example, it’s easy to watch someone play FIFA and mistake it for an actual soccer match.

Improved graphics makes games easier to look at and understand, which is crucial for a spectator game. Big esports from Dota 2 to Apex Legends rely on technological advances in graphics to improve their games for players and viewers alike.

Faster internet connections means more access to esports games

The availability of high-speed internet is another aspect that has helped the esports sector develop faster. Fast connections have made competitive multiplayer games like Halo and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive work better and improve the overall user experience. An esports-related advancement in internet connection is currently ongoing with the arrival of 5G networks. New internet standards will help mobile esports compete against their console and PC counterparts.

In the late 1900s and early 2000s, a standard internet connection wasn’t good enough for gaming. When players used a dial-up modem to play World of Warcraft, for example, there would be a lot of lag,making it difficult to play. However, the game becomes more fluid with a faster internet connection. Also, better worldwide connections have led to more individuals watching esports worldwide. Aspiring esports pros also have access to more competition thanks to the rising speed of the internet.

Augmented and virtual reality esports could be the future

AR and VR strive to massively transform the esports sector with top-notch advancements that make games more intriguing and immersive. These breakthroughs in technology open up a ton of new design space for competitive gaming as well. 

Computerized characters in a virtual reality game can interact with the actual environment with augmented reality. AR-powered games merge the real and virtual worlds for a more immersive experience. AR and VR are both revolutionizing the way video games are played in a big way. The esports scene for VR is only just beginning, but there’s a ton of interest that grows by the day.

During gameplay, they help establish an imaginative setting, which makes the player feel like they are there. It creates a virtual environment where gamers can get lost in. The current generation of technology is just the start. In the future, VR and AR could become just as common as other gaming platforms.

Gaming helps create and mold artificial intelligences

Artificial intelligence has become an important technology in the esports industry. Dota 2, which is one of the more complicated esports, famously pit pro teams against a computer-controlled opponent called OpenAI. The AI was able to beat several pro teams while losing to others, showing that AI can compete with the most skilled gamers in a very complicated setting. 

FalconAI offers AI-powered solutions to help esports participants, such as those who play League of Legends, improve their performance. Many esports teams, including Team Liquid, utilize machine learning to construct better practice regiments and goals.

By observing and analyzing esports competitions, AI technology plays a powerful role in the growth of the industry.

Safer, easier payments means more potential talent

 

In the past, online payment options were risky at best and suspicious at worst. This made it easy to deceive or hack consumers, especially for digital products like software and video games. The primary concern was personal information and security data becoming public. However, it is now simple and secure to pay online.

The proliferation of licensed app stores and secure payment options has made it quite simple to purchase items online. Moreover, blockchain technology has enhanced this security even further. Crypto wallets do not request personal information and their payment history cannot be altered or hacked. Therefore, gamers can pay for games and in-game extras safely and efficiently. This means that more people can play games, which in turn means more potential pro players for the esports world.

Technology and esports go hand in hand

The increasing commercialization of esports has attracted numerous firms to the industry. Technological advancements have driven esports’ growth throughout the years, including tech ventures like Weaver, which used AI, 8K, VR, AR, and other technologies to provide esports fans with new ways to watch. 

Developments in technology, such as the rise of streaming and improved connections, have been a critical element of the sector’s growth. However, investment from firms has also been a driving force behind the proliferation of competitive gaming. Many of the best online casino platforms have partnered with esports teams and added their matches to the sportsbooks, allowing gaming fans to play alongside their favorite teams.. 

Undoubtedly, there will be further innovations and technologies in the future. Technology will continue to improve esports throughout time, whether through new services, improved game design, graphics, artificial intelligence, or whatever exciting advancement comes next.

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