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