It was only a couple of years ago that Esports (or electronic sports) was at its ultimate peak. Stadiums filling up with thousands of people just to spectate a multimillion-dollar tournament. This enterprise came to a screeching halt when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. With many pro-Esports players stuck overseas in lockdown and many extreme state regulations, the world of sports didn’t look the same. Much like other sports organizations, many wonder if they will ever go back to the good old days.
Is Esports Still Alive?
Many industries are adapting to the current climate. Stadiums require proof of vaccination, specialized seating, mask requirements, all trying to keep people safe as well as saving their businesses. For Esports, it’s been easy to adapt. Competitive gaming is already an online-based tournament, all you need is a platform for your audience to view it on. With online streaming platforms on the rise, Esports audiences have been flocking to many of these sites such as Twitch and YouTube to view their favorite tournaments and the money is still there. With viewership in the thousands, there has been little to no loss in sponsorships to fund the tournaments.
Will It Return to Normal?
We like to believe that many Esports tournaments will return to regular stadiums in the coming months. Implementing the same safety and PPE regulations that many other sports industries have utilized. Unfortunately, many Esports producers have also considered that many professional gamers are overseas, making it difficult to travel considering many countries are still in lockdown. Adding to the list as to why so many producers are still settling with being based on streaming platforms. Regardless of what happens, there will always be a desire and need for gamers to be competitive, and when there is a need, an industry is present.