Technology changes everything. That is especially true in the gaming industry as companies capitalize on the changing gamers’ interests. When developers first started building video games, they probably couldn’t have imagined what this would have become.
Not only have video games developed in big ways, but people can play online casino games such as poker, slots, blackjack, and other casino games. It’s part of the benefit of the COVID-19 pandemic for an industry that capitalized on people being at home more often.
But the development and emergence of video games and esports began decades before the pandemic hit. Here’s a breakdown of the different elements that have made gaming a competitive industry.
Internet provides spark
When the internet launched in the 1990s and wireless internet expanded into the 2000s, it changed the dynamic of video games. No longer did people have to gather under one roof to play together. It was still the preferred method while console and game developers figured out how to best cater to the evolving times.
Once they did, though, it changed the game significantly. People were able to stay at home and play games with their friends who were at their homes. Being able to chat at parties was something that allowed for this change.
Then there was the whole process of teaming up and being able to connect to the same game. At the time, it was still relatively casual compared to today’s gaming climate. Yes, people wanted to win their games, but it was more about having fun in a casual setting with friends.
But wireless internet was the start of the industry expansion. Selling more consoles meant selling more games. All those extra sales added up to adding more staff and increasing the development rate for consoles and games. That eventually led to a more competitive gaming environment.
Early broadcasting
It wasn’t long before tournaments were being played. Madden was an early popular one where individuals competed, and the games late in the Madden Bowl would be broadcast on ESPN. This was the first evolution of the competitive gaming nature, where cash and other prizes are on the line each week.
Beyond that, Rocket League could be seen on television, and other titles began negotiating their deals. Now games are streamed on Twitch and YouTube as the preferred viewing options.
The competitiveness allowed for the formation of gaming teams, kind of like how professional sports teams formed their leagues one day and expanded from there. Esports grew, and the accessibility to view those games really benefited the industry.
The early broadcasting allowed casual gamers to visualize themselves in those situations and learn tips from those professionals, or even the amateur tournaments, which has allowed for greater growth.
Streaming enhances things
Every day people can build their communities. A lot of people do that in a variety of ways. Content creation has opened so many doors, whether it is someone who is doing it full-time or those who just do it because they were gaming anyway.
The content creators have enhanced their competitiveness. So many are playing the game for hours on end and developing sharp skills at specific titles to form their niche audience. They also create content of helpful tips for their viewers and community members, and even those who happen upon their videos, to find ways to improve at the game.
Furthermore, there are often smaller competitions that the streamers will host to help develop a connection to their community. This has been a big reason for the latest competitive boom. Many viewers know each other, creating a natural competitiveness and bragging rights in the end.
COVID changed things
The world shut down with COVID-19, a deadly virus, sweeping across the globe. With people left inside their own homes other than to shop for groceries, people needed a form of entertainment. For some, it was a relief after being laid off, temporarily or in full, from their jobs.
At any rate, it allowed those to play for hours at a time to stay connected to their friends. So a competitiveness was built out of that. It’s crazy how technology changed things.
