The Biggest eSports Trends to Watch in 2022
Hey Startups,
It’s now time to turn our analytical eye to 2022’s biggest trends in esports and games live streaming.
The technology and gaming industries have been increasing in recent years. New games and platforms are released every year, and the eSports industry is only getting bigger.
Yes, you read that right. eSports is now a billion-dollar industry, and it’s only going to get bigger in the years to come. Many experts believe that eSports will eventually surpass traditional sports in popularity.
As per a recent study, the global esports market share valued at $957.5 million in 2019. These astounding figures have grown to approximately $1.08 billion today — a hike of over 10% in the last two years — no wonder this count will hit $1.65 billion by 2024.
With this rapid growth, there are bound to be some changes and esports trends in the industry. Like every business field, the eSports industry is also susceptible to change. Every year or even every few months, something new happens in the world of eSports, and we call it “trending”.
Read Also: How eSports App is Transforming The Gaming Market
So, what’s trend in eSports for 2022? What special changes should you expect to see in the coming year?
What are the latest trends in esports?
You’ll find out in this post. Here, we’ll discuss the latest eSports trends to watch for in 2022 so that you can stay ahead of the curve. So, let’s get started.
Top eSports Trends 2022
1. Online Social Betting App for Gamers
A new online social betting app has been introduced recently, aiming to be a better solution than traditional gambling platforms like casinos and lotteries. The intention behind the development of this new platform is to create an environment where people can gamble without spending any money or risking their data on what they could potentially lose.
This app is still in development and is not yet available to the public, but it is already making waves in the industry. It is being developed by a team of experienced gaming and gambling professionals who have created something new and innovative. The app will allow users to place bets on their favourite games, teams, and players.
A recent example is Zomato’s online social betting platform ZPL (Zomato Pro League). This app lets users place bets on their favourite teams and players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other cricket tournaments.
2. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency in eSports
The use of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency in eSports is one of the biggest trends to watch out for in 2022. Many experts believe that integrating these two technologies will significantly impact the way we play and bet on games.
Blockchain is a distributed database that allows for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof transactions. On the other hand, cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography to secure transactions.
Combining these two technologies will allow for the development of new platforms and services that will revolutionize the way we gamble on games. Many startups are already working on this trend, and we can expect to see more in the coming year.
3. Growth of Mobile eSports
Mobile eSports is another big game app development to watch out for in 2022. The growth of mobile gaming has been exponential in recent years, and this trend is only set to continue in the coming year.
As per the latest report, the global mobile gaming market is expected to reach $139.5 Billion by 2026. This growth is being driven by the increasing number of people playing games on their smartphones and tablets.
This trend is also being fuelled by the rise of 5G technology, providing gamers with faster and more reliable mobile internet speeds. We can expect to see more mobile eSports tournaments and events in the coming year.
4. Rise of Cybersports
Well, do you know what is cybersports? It is a new form of competitive gaming based on online multiplayer games. The term was first coined in 2001 by Russia, and it has been gaining popularity in recent years. They declared this interesting sport official two decades back.
Now, cybersport is not just a new form of gaming but also an upcoming trend in the eSports industry. This new form of gaming is becoming increasingly popular among gamers and spectators alike.
The rise of cybersports can be attributed to it being more accessible and convenient than traditional sports. Moreover, it is also more affordable and offers a higher level of excitement and adrenaline.
Today, we can see many cybersports tournaments being held worldwide. The best examples of such games are the Over watch World Cup, the League of Legends World Championship, and the Dota 2 International.
5. Fantasy Game for Short-Term Play
Fantasy games have been around for a long time, but they have only recently gained popularity in the eSports industry. These games allow players to create and manage their teams of professional gamers.
The most popular fantasy game in the eSports industry is Draft Kings Fantasy eSports. This game allows players to draft their teams of professional gamers and compete against other players worldwide.
Now, the rise of fantasy games in eSports can be attributed to offering a more convenient and shorter-term play option for gamers. Moreover, these games are also more affordable plus exciting.
6. Wager Matches for Bigger Winnings
The next big esports trend in 2022 is wager matches. Wager matches refer to the matches in which players bet on their favourite teams and players. This type of betting has been around for a long time, but it has only recently gained popularity in the eSports betting app industry.
Wager matches offer bigger winnings and more excitement for both gamers and spectators. The best examples of such games are the Wall Street Journal Cup and the North American Championship Series. Here, we can see many teams from all over the world competing against each other for a massive prize pool.
Read more: What You Need To Know About Sports App Development — Features & Cost
Esports Industry Market Growth Trends
As competitive video games continue to integrate into popular culture, global investors, brands and media outlets are all paying attention. There are consumers too. In fact, according to our estimates, the monthly esports viewership will be 29.6 million in 2022, an increase of 11.5% compared to 2021.
The esports industry’s pop-culture has helped power the explosions in export investment and revenue. Esports has hit this stratosphere in large part because of the social component of live streaming and gaming. Video gaming-specific streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming provide fans with direct connections to players and teams, while more mainstream social ones allow those connections to flourish. Some esports organizations such as FaZe Klan are also aggressively moving into areas such as consignment, giving their brands more notoriety than if they were stuck to exports alone.
Rick Yang, partner at NEA — a venture capital firm that invests in esports — underlined this in a conversation with Insider Intelligence: “I really think of esports as the mainstream of gaming, or gaming. Highest. Pure idea of pop culture urgency in being a player versus being a player to compete on the level.” It is essential to think of esports opportunities in this way — including gaming, media, pop culture and commerce — as it highlights opportunities beyond gaming events alone.
Export Industry Revenue Stream Statistics
As a result, the industry has seen a huge increase in investment from venture capitalists and, more recently, private equity firms. According to Deloitte, the number of investments in exports doubled in 2018, from 34 in 2017 to 68 in 2018. This is also reflected in the total dollars invested: investment in 2018 is $4.5 billion, up from just $490 million a year ago. A staggering 837% growth rate per Deloitte. These investments are distributed to players throughout the ecosystem — from esports organizations to tournament operators, to digital broadcasters — allowing it to function and grow.
The pop-culturalization of esports has helped power the explosions in esports investment and revenue.
The net result is that esports has matured from its roots in arcade gaming to today’s complex digital ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the latest esports trends that we can expect to see in the coming years. With so much growth and new opportunities on the horizon, it is an exciting time to be a part of this industry.
Do you think that eSports will continue to grow in popularity? What esports trends are you most excited about?
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Let us know in the comments below.
