cybersport has been
a reality for
a long time

Which games fall under e-sports: an overview of the most popular disciplines?

Home » blog » Which games fall under e-sports: an overview of the most popular disciplines?
В киберспортивном мире каждую секунду что-то меняется: появляются новые проекты, изменяются правила, устанавливаются новые рекорды. Вопрос о том, какие игры входят в киберспорт, волнует и новичков, и профессионалов.

Every second something changes in the world of e-sports: new projects appear, rules change, new records are set. The question of which games belong to e-sports concerns beginners and professionals alike. Projects that have become popular form entire industries, attract a large number of fans and offer e-sports players huge prize money.

By 2024, the e-sports industry reached $1.5 billion in revenue and the number of spectators exceeded 500 million. The prize pools of major tournaments such as The International and League of Legends Worlds continue to grow, encouraging young players to turn professional.

Main eSports disciplines: which games fall under eSports?

The field includes many disciplines, each with its own audience and popularity.

MOBA games: Dota 2 and League of Legends are in the spotlight.

MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games dominate the eSports world because of their team dynamics and spectacle. The most popular are:

  1. Dota 2: tournaments like The International collect the biggest prize pools in the industry. In 2023, for example, the total prize pool exceeded $40 million and Team Spirit emerged victorious, winning $18 million. Aspects such as strategy, choice of heroes and their skills and coordination with the team are important in the game.
  2. League of Legends (LoL): Riot Games regularly hosts the World Championship, where professional teams from around the world compete for the title of best. In 2024, the Worlds tournament attracted a record number of viewers and surpassed the mark of 5 million simultaneous viewers. The tournament was won by the T1 team, which showed brilliant tactics and a high level of individual skills.

These games are part of eSports as games that define the industry and attract viewers’ attention because of their strategic depth, teamwork and dramatic outcomes.

Shooters: CS:GO and Valorant top the charts

First-person shooters have always been particularly popular among cyberathletes. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Valorant dominate the genre:

  1. CS:GO: Valve continue to host large tournaments with prize pools of up to USD 2 million. ESL and Blast Pro Series tournaments attract thousands of fans from around the world. In 2024, Team NAVI won the Paris Major, a testament to excellent strategy and outstanding skills.
  2. Valorant: the game developed by Riot Games is rapidly gaining popularity and is already an established player in the top disciplines. The VCT Masters 2024 saw a new record number of participants, confirming the rapid growth of the game. Team Fnatic won the VCT Masters with their superior tactical decisions and coordination.

Which games fall under eSports? Of course, shooters are on this list. They are appreciated for their fast pace, high individual skill and spectacle.

Battle Royale and combat: PUBG and Fortnite

The Battle Royale genre is also making its presence felt in the industry. Here are two of the most popular games in this genre:

  1. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is attracting attention for its realism and strategy. The 2024 PUBG Global Championship brought together the best teams from around the world, with a total prize pool of more than $6 million. Team NewHappy won this tournament by showing excellent tactical and survival skills.
  2. Fortnite Epic Games continues to attract players with its colourful tournaments and huge prize pools. The Fortnite World Championship gives participants the chance to win a share of the million-dollar prize pool, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year. In 2024, Bugha is once again among the top players, confirming his status as one of Fortnite’s top stars.

Specific disciplines and their influence on the popularity of eSports

Main eSports disciplines: which games fall under eSports?The popularity of e-sports games is determined not only by the quality of the games themselves, but also by their accessibility, spectacularity and community support.

Which games are popular in e-sports?

The question of which games are popular in e-sports can be answered based on several factors:

  1. Accessibility: many of these games are free-to-play, which contributes to their popularity among the general public. Valorant and League of Legends are available for free, which ensures a constant influx of new players.
  2. Entertainment: Dota 2 and CS:GO tournaments attract millions of spectators with their dynamic and exciting gameplay. For example, the 2024 ESL Pro League CS:GO final had more than 1 million viewers.
  3. Developer support: Games that are actively supported by developers, such as Fortnite and LoL, receive regular updates to maintain audience interest. Riot Games invests millions of dollars in developing the eSports scene, making tournaments increasingly attractive to participants.

What games are played professionally: how are tournaments organised?

E-sports tournaments are events in which professional players compete for big cash prizes and the title of best. For example:

  1. The Dota 2 International: an annual tournament with the biggest prize pool in the world of eSports. In 2023, the prize pool was $40 million and Team Spirit once again finished in the top three.
  2. League of Legends Worlds: the most important tournament of the season, featuring the best teams in the world. Team T1 won the title in 2024.
  3. ESL Pro League CS:GO: prestigious championship featuring the best teams in the world. In 2024, Team FaZe Clan achieved great results and won the championship title.

These leagues give top players the chance to showcase their skills, win big cash prizes and gain recognition on the world stage.

The best eSports games in 2024: which top games are making their appearance in the eSports industry

Every year the popularity of eSports games changes, but in 2024, several projects confidently take their position in the rankings.

Let’s take a look at the most popular eSports games in 2024:

  1. Dota 2: the biggest prize pool and a long history of successful tournaments. The International remains the most important event in the eSports world.
  2. CS:GO – remains popular thanks to the regularity of major tournaments and Valve’s ongoing support.
  3. League of Legends – a rich history and the support of a huge community, as well as significant investment in the scene.
  4. Valorant – a new favourite, rapidly gaining popularity among players, with numerous tournaments and active developer support.
  5. PUBG – realistic gameplay and large tournaments attracting thousands of participants. PUBG remains one of the most recognisable brands in the Battle Royale genre.

Conclusion

The best eSports games in 2024: which top games are making their appearance in the eSports industryIn summary, it should be noted that the answer to which games fall under e-sports varies depending on preferences and interests. It is important to realise that this industry has a huge destination with leagues, tournaments and millions of fans worldwide. In 2024, e-sports games continue to gain popularity and cyberathletes are showing an ever-increasing skill level.

Related posts

Valorant transports players into a dynamic space where every second influences the outcome of a round. Beginners are not confronted with a single mechanic, but with dozens at once: shooting, economy, team coordination, micro-positions, and skill management. To make getting started easier, it is important to choose the right character. The best Valorant agents for beginners are not the most spectacular ones, but those that help you understand the mechanics of the map, the movements of the team, and the nature of interaction.

Why choosing the right agent is crucial for beginners

Every decision an agent makes influences the perception of the game. A bad start can lead to bad habits: aggression without information, advances without cover, pointless trades. The best Valorant agents for beginners allow you to focus on the basics – position, targeting, synchronisation with teammates – while contributing to the overall strategy.

Features of a suitable hero:

  1. Simple, intuitive abilities without the need for micromanagement.
  2. The ability to influence the game in every round (not just with the Ulta).
  3. Supporting the team through control, reconnaissance or healing.
  4. No dependence on precise timing coordination.

Role categories: How to choose the best Valorant agent for beginners?

Why choosing the right agent is crucial for beginnersBefore making a choice, it is important to understand how the roles in the game are structured. The best Valorant agents for beginners usually represent classes with simple functions and sustainable benefits, regardless of the player’s level.

Types of roles:

  1. Duelist – initiates, makes initial contact, requires precise shooting and an understanding of risks.
  2. Controller – restricts vision, cuts off space, ensures a safe exit.
  3. Initiator – reveals positions, provides information to teammates, plays via reconnaissance.
  4. Guardian – protects, holds the zone, works with traps and slowing.

The starting five: universal solutions

The best Valorant agents for beginners, making it easier to get started, promoting understanding of the game and minimising mistakes:

  1. Sage (Guardian). Access to healing, reviving, erecting a wall and a slowdown zone. Suitable for developing team play, room control and point control. Does not require perfect reaction, compensates for allies’ mistakes.
  2. Brimstone (Controller). The smoke screen falls exactly on the mini-map. Minimal mechanical actions – maximum control over the map. The ult blocks the bomb and blocks passages. Allows beginners to focus on positioning.
  3. Killjoy (Guardian). Trap, turret, slowing pulse. The game revolves around defence. The turret provides information. Strong positional play. Ideal for learning the principles of defence and space control.
  4. Skye (Initiator). Masters reconnaissance, healing and lightning. Has a flexible set, but requires moderate coordination. Teaches beginners to observe allies and open rounds based on information.
  5. Phoenix (Duelist). Simple abilities: lightning, wall, self-healing. Ideal for players who want to develop their aggressiveness without getting lost in complicated combinations. Mistakes are forgiven, the style is active.

Principles of interaction: how abilities work for the team

The best Valorant agents for beginners are not distinguished by individual actions, but by their contribution to the overall game advantage. Each round does not require a hero, but a link in the system. The abilities in Valorant reinforce team play, control the map, and create a favourable moment for conquest, defence, or taking the initiative. It is a mistake to consider abilities as a substitute for weapons. The correct approach is to use them as a coordination mechanism.

The influence of abilities on the course of a round:

Control zone. Abilities create virtual boundaries. A wall or smoke changes the map, restricts passageways and forces the enemy to change their route.
Time. Even a second gained by slowing down or distracting the enemy can determine the outcome. Abilities control time: they force the enemy to wait and delay their planned actions.
Information. Reconnaissance is the basis of strategy. Blinding, noise, pinging, voice contact with the agent — everything works as a data collection system.
Distracting attention. The presence of a trap, turret, drone or clone forces the enemy to distract themselves, reducing their accuracy or slowing their movement.

Scenario applications:

  1. Holding a point – Killjoy sets up a turret and a trap, the enemy is slowed down, loses momentum, allies take up their positions.
  2. Attacking the point – Brimstone covers two lines of fire with smoke, Skye uses a flashbang – and the team advances without taking damage.
  3. Counter-initiative – Sage blocks the path with a wall, the slowdown breaks the rhythm, the enemy retreats and leaves space.
  4. Reteak – Phoenix uses a flashbang, drawing attention to himself while the second player emerges from the background.
  5. Fake and distraction – Smoke and a turret at one point feign an attack while the team works on the other side.

Mistakes when learning: typical pitfalls for beginners

Even the best Valorant agents for beginners are useless if the player ignores the context of the battle. Each hero has a set of actions that require a precise understanding of the situation. The main mistake is trying to play a single-player shooter and forgetting the common task.

Aggressive style in unsuitable roles

A beginner chooses a duelist, cannot retreat in time, does not wait for support, and rushes forward as if participating in a kill race. This approach leads to a bad habit – ignoring the macro game. Even an agent with an aggressive profile requires conscious movements, synchronisation with flashes, and knowledge of economics.

Mechanical exploitation of abilities

Sage builds a wall just because the round has started. Killjoy places the turret in the first spot that comes to mind. Phoenix throws a flash without checking the angle. All of these are chaotic actions without understanding the goal. The ability to use abilities for a specific task is a skill that can only be developed with a conscious approach.

Inattention to the mini-map and sounds

The map constantly transmits information: pings, sound waves, movements of allies. The best Valorant agents for beginners only reach their potential when the player reads the room. Who is pushing, who is waiting, who is staying in the background – all of this is visible. Ignoring information turns even a strong agent into a nobody.

Abandoning the support role

Many beginners find support boring. They prefer to shoot rather than heal or set traps. This leads to an imbalance: the team has four duelists without smoke, without healing, without control. The result is failed attacks, loss of initiative and an inability to hold points.

How to minimise mistakes: the step-by-step learning method

The best Valorant agents for beginners require step-by-step learning. Mistakes are inevitable, but with the right learning structure, they become lessons.

Steps:

  1. Focus on one role – the beginner selects an agent and plays at least 20 games in a row, tracking each use of the ability.
  2. Analyse the applications – after each game, an analysis is carried out: which abilities worked, which didn’t, and why?
  3. Transition to map reading – the agent remains the same, but the focus shifts to the map: where to place it, at what time, how not to hinder allies.
  4. Communication with the team – the player learns to coordinate their abilities: ‘I’ll smoke in 3 seconds’, ‘I’ll cover the right’, ‘I’ll heal after the attack’.
  5. Combinations with others – the next level is synchronisation: flash + pass, heal + swap, tower + angle.

How to choose the best Valorant agent as a beginner

The starting five: universal solutionsThe best Valorant agents for beginners do not work on effects, but on progress. They teach you to observe, understand, and feel the map and the pace. The heroes do not require highlights, but form the foundation on which the entire competitive structure of the shooter is built. The right choice accelerates growth, prevents burnout, and transforms an ordinary gaming platform into a learning platform.

The world of cybersports is waiting for a great event – Overwatch Champions Series 2025. The tournament gathers the best squads from all over the world. They are ready to compete for record prize money and the title of champion. For the first time, Overwatch 2 will be an arena for unprecedented strategic struggles, tactical shifts and unexpected discoveries. The championship will determine the strongest and will be an indicator of the current game balance, which will change under the influence of the latest updates.

Overwatch Champions Series is important not only for players, but also for the entire community. The tournament sets the direction of Overwatch 2 development in cybersport in 2025, reveals new mechanics, forces developers to adjust the balance of heroes, and analysts – to make new predictions. The intrigue of the season is off the charts: who will surprise the audience, and who will lose ground?

The teams that will fight for victory

The OWCS 2025 EMEA Stage 1 regional stage becomes the first major test for the top competitors in Europe, Middle East and Africa. The main contenders for the championship have already been determined. But due to high competition and changes during the season, the composition of the teams continues to change.

Titled teams such as Spacestation Gaming and Houston Outlaws traditionally occupy the top of the table, demonstrating stability and a high level of coordination. Newcomers to the scene are also ready to impose the fight, presenting unexpected tactical solutions. The new meta-gameplay has forced coaches to rethink strategy, emphasising teamwork and the intelligent use of ultimatum abilities.

Player rosters have been revamped, and the dynamics of the game have changed with them. The young talents who broke into professional Overwatch 2 bring fresh ideas and create non-obvious game situations that the titans of the scene are not always ready for. Overwatch Champions will feature names that no one took seriously until recently.

OWCS 2025 EMEA Stage 1 schedule: when and where to watch the matches

What will be the Overwatch Champions Series tournament that will be held in April 2025The tournament will start in April 2025. An extensive broadcast programme with analysis, commentary and live studio coverage has been prepared for viewers. The competition format includes a group stage and subsequent play-offs. The groups are formed randomly. The participants’ ratings for previous seasons are taken into account. The matches take place in Best-of-5 format, while the playoff finals are Best-of-7.

The matches can be followed on Blizzard’s official platforms, Twitch and YouTube, where the organisers promise high-quality broadcasts with access to additional statistics. For the first time, the championship will feature an interactive analysis function, allowing viewers to track players’ movements in real time and compare performance in specific matches.

What prizes await the winners

OWCS 2025 EMEA Stage 1 prize money is impressive, making it one of the most prestigious events of the season. Teams will be raffling off more than $2,000,000. This motivates participants to give their best.

The funds are distributed as follows:

  • The winner receives the largest share – about 40 per cent of the total amount;
  • the  finalist will receive 25 per cent;
  • 3rd and 4th place clubs will share the remainder of the prize pool.

Overwatch Champions confirms its status as a tournament that can change the lives of professional players. The impressive prize money attracts cyber athletes and the investment opens up new opportunities for the development of the Overwatch 2 cybersports scene.

OWCS 2025 EMEA Stage 1 favourites and underdogs: who will surprise

Among the obvious leaders of the OWCS 2025 are the teams that have dominated over the past few seasons. Their experience, chemistry and stability allow them to feel confident even in the most intense matches.

The Overwatch cybersport tournament often brings surprises. In the OWCS 2025 EMEA Stage 1 category, we can single out teams (underdogs) that have not shown outstanding results in the past, but this year are showing incredible progress. Their success is attributed to new strategies, adapting to changes in the meta and unexpected solutions in the game.

The contenders for victory will face teams that work on innovative tactics, breaking the usual patterns of the game. When analysing the Overwatch Champions Series 2025 participants, it’s not yet possible to single out clear winners, as even the strongest teams risk being at a disadvantage due to changes in the game balance.

Key playoff matches: who will go next

The OWCS 2025 EMEA Stage 1 playoffs will be a real test for the competitors who are capable of claiming the championship. This stage is all about individual skills and teamwork.

The strongest teams in the OWCS face off in matches where each round is decisive. Playoff qualifiers show how well players have prepared for the tournament, sorted out their opponents and adapted to unexpected scenarios.

The Overwatch Champions Series is becoming an arena where tactical thinking and interaction become more important than mechanical execution. Mistakes are not forgiven, and any flaw in strategy can cost a club a chance at the finals.

Conclusion

Key play-off matches: who will go further awayOverwatch Champions Series 2025 is an event that is shaping the future of the cybersports scene. Its influence goes beyond individual matches in cybersport, leaving a mark on the history of Overwatch 2. The championship reveals new leaders, gives talented players a chance. It shows what strategies will dominate in the near future.

The Overwatch Cybersports Tournament has become more than just a competition, but a reflection of the evolution of the game and its community. The stakes are high, the competition is intense, and the results are unpredictable.