The esports ecosystem experienced transcendental growth in 2020 due at least in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, and is poised to act as a spring board for even further growth this year. With traditional sports largely sidelined last year, stadiums closed to fans, and people starving for personal interaction, gamers and spectators alike have turned to esports in record numbers. According to Newzoo, a prominent esports analytics company, 22% of the internet population participates in esports, and global gaming revenue is expected to hit
Building on the tremendous growth in 2020, here are some trends that some prominent members of the esports community are forecasting for 2021.
Significant Shift in Brand Advertising.
Convergence of esports with Mainstream sports.
Other industry experts have predicted that the world will see also greater convergence between traditional sports and esports, with professional football teams launching their own esports teams.5 For example, in
Growth of Esports in Popular Culture.
On
Increased Fragmentation and Evolution.
Other industry experts such as Spiketrap have observed that more and more people are streaming a greater variety and volume of content than ever before.13 For example, according to one source, 42% of the
Increased Participation in the Ecosystem.
Still other industry experts have observed an unprecedented increase in player participation within the esports ecosystem. Esports One, for example, has witnessed a rampant rise in virtual currency, rankings, badges, skins and image banners, as player-members seek to "flex" their muscles and show off their skill to their friends and fellow competitors.16 As esports mature, and more games are supported by more titles, Esports One predicts that there will be more opportunities for sponsorships, integration, and tournament prizes.17
In short, as tumultuous and dynamic as 2020 was socially, politically and epistemologically, 2021 promises to be an unprecedented year in the esports world.
FOOTNOTES
1 https://secure.outsiderclub.com/299076?msclkid=3270be3ec8d81c46bfa7e1de34b4f7d0
2 https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/enthusiast-gaming-s-online-gaming-festival-eglx-watched-by-over-12-million-fans-1029837940
3 Id.
4 https://www.thegamingeconomy.com/2020/12/07/predictions-2021-esports/
5 https://www.thegamingeconomy.com/2020/12/07/predictions-2021-esports/
6 https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/267267002/eagles-become-first-nfl-team-with-esports-tournament-provider
7 https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/267267002/eagles-become-first-nfl-team-with-esports-tournament-provider
8 https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/24/entertainment/travis-scott-fortnite-concert/index.html
9 https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/28/21239034/faze-clan-studios-film-tv-projects
10 https://twitter.com/fazeclan/status/1273692097384714240
11 https://nba.2k.com/2k20/en-US/news/first-ever-nba-2k-players-tournament/
12 https://www.thegamingeconomy.com/2020/12/07/predictions-2021-esports/
13 https://www.thegamingeconomy.com/2020/12/07/predictions-2021-esports/
14 https://livestream.com/blog/62-must-know-stats-live-video-streaming#:-:text=Nielson%27s%20U.S.%20Video%20360%20Report.rise%20from%2025%25%20in%202017
15 https://www.thegamingeconomy.com/2020/12/07/predictions-2021-esports/
16 https://www.thegamingeconomy.com/2020/12/07/predictions-2021-esports/
17 Id.
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