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

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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.

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Technology moves forward and trends change, but cybersports has long held a place of honour in the lives of millions of people. Cybersport championships gather entire stadiums, and some tournaments attract audiences more than the finals of popular sporting events. Choosing a game in this context becomes the most important step to the top of success, because each project is a separate world with its own rules, peculiarities and mechanics. Let’s take a look at what professionals play today and what top cybersport games have earned their popularity.

Cybersport hits: popular games that have conquered the world

Popular cybersport games have long since become not just entertainment, but a real way of life for many players. The top projects are known all over the world. Each of the games has unique mechanics and offers completely different ways of interacting with the game world. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Dota 2 is a symbol of strategic mastery

A complex strategy game that combines a deep tactical component and unique character abilities. The annual championship of The International has become a symbol of success for many professionals, and the multi-million dollar prize money attracts both new teams and veterans of the scene. Dota 2 is not just a popular game, it is a true stage for displaying skill and strategic depth.

League of Legends – dynamics and teamwork at the highest level

The cybersport game LoL is characterised by faster-paced gameplay and an emphasis on player interaction. Riot Games, the developers of the project, actively support competitions by creating an extensive ecosystem of tournaments and leagues. LoL World Championships gather millions of spectators from all over the world, and the game allows you to demonstrate not only personal skills, but also teamwork at a high level.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – speed, accuracy and strategy

A game in which reaction speed, shooting accuracy and teamwork make the difference. Simple and clear gameplay attracts many players, and the huge popularity of CS in cybersports is due to its accessibility and the ability to instantly start the game (without a long learning curve). Not only individual qualities are important here, but also strategy and tactics, which determine the outcome of each round.

Legends of the professional scene: the best cyber sports games

Not every project can boast a huge return on the part of players. We will list those that have truly become legendary. These are cyber sports games that offer a unique balance of complexity and depth:

  1. StarCraft II is a classic among real-time strategy games. A game that requires not only lightning-fast reactions, but also the ability to predict the opponent’s moves. Professional StarCraft II tournaments attract spectators with their dynamism and high level of skill. Against this backdrop, every victory is the result of hard work and a deep understanding of the gameplay.
  2. Valorant is a relatively new game, but it has already managed to take a place among the best. Riot Games managed to create not just another shooter, but a full-fledged cybersports project with a deep strategy and colourful characters.
  3. FIFA is one of the few sports simulators interesting in the world of cybersport. Here accuracy and calculation are important, and each match is an opportunity to demonstrate your skill and ability to read your opponent. FIFA tournaments are often organised as part of major sporting events.

Secrets of successful selection of a cyber sports game

Cybersport games: top projects and legendary tournamentsGames vary in genre, style, and player requirements, and each of these aspects plays a key role in the selection process. Genres of cybersport games include:

  • Strategies;
  • shooters;
  • sports simulators;
  • many other areas.

It is important to keep in mind that some projects require advanced tactical thinking and teamwork, while others require reaction speed and individual skills. For beginners, it is better to start with more accessible games like Rocket League or PUBG, where you can get an idea of the basic aspects of cyber sports and understand your strengths.

Another factor to pay attention to when choosing a project is developer support and regular updates. The success of a cyber sports game largely depends on how often the creators add new content, fix bugs and listen to the community. An example is Fortnite, where regular updates keep the audience interested and create new challenges for players.

Cybersport tournaments: the arena for true champions

Competitions play a key role in shaping the professional scene. Without them, no cybersport game would reach the level of global recognition.

The International is the pinnacle of the cybersport Olympus

The International is the biggest Dota 2 tournament that annually gathers the best teams from all over the world. The prize funds break all records, attracting the attention of not only players but also big sponsors. Winning The International for a team is, without exaggeration, the pinnacle of a cybersport career. The event is comparable to winning the Olympic Games for any athlete.

League of Legends World Championship – the epicentre of global confrontation

A real spectacle, organised on an unbelievable scale. The professional teams that make it to the tournament undergo a strict selection process, which makes participation there a symbol of the highest level of skill. The arenas where the final matches take place are comparable to the venues for major sporting events, which emphasises the status of cybersports in the world.

PGL Major in CS – the battle of the titans in the world of shooters

PGL Major in CS also attracts a huge audience and offers colourful matches where every detail matters: from weapon selection to team tactics. Tournaments form real fan communities around the games, and cyber sportsmen become idols for millions of people.

Cybersport teams in games

Players join teams to achieve better results, while coaches and managers help to coordinate actions, develop tactics and maintain physical fitness. It is teamwork that becomes the determining factor on the road to victory.

Some of the most celebrated are:

  • Team Liquid;
  • Natus Vincere;
  • Fnatic.

These names are known to anyone who has ever been interested in cybersports. Teams have achieved success through cohesion, hard training and a willingness to continuously learn. it is worth knowing that a team consists of more than just players. Analysts, coaches and even physiotherapists play a huge role. Thanks to them, team members can concentrate as much as possible on their main task.

Games in cyber sports require teamwork, especially projects such as Dota 2 and CS, where success depends on each participant. Teams develop tactics, train for hours and constantly analyse mistakes in order to demonstrate the best results at tournaments. This is how legends emerge.

Conclusion

Cybersports teams in gamesProfessional players choose the best projects that give them the opportunity to show their skills, participate in major tournaments and work in a team with like-minded people. Cybersport is a world where everyone can try their hand and achieve success, you just need to take the first step and choose your game. Perhaps it’s time to try yourself and become part of this exciting world.

Beginners in Dota 2 are confronted not only with the game, but with an entire system. Unknown mechanics, more than 120 heroes, dozens of roles and objects, hundreds of combinations, three lanes, the fog of war, a 0.5-second dynamic. A mistake in choosing the starting character slows down progress. Under these circumstances, the characters determine the comfort of the first 100 games for a beginner in Dota 2, their resistance to mistakes and the ability to focus on the basics.

Wraith King: the unsinkable commander on the front line

Wraith King exhibits a perfect balance between attack and survival. The hero operates on the front line, constantly dealing damage and returning to battle after death thanks to his ultimate ability. The list of characters for beginners in Dota 2 includes Wraith King because of his minimal mechanical actions and maximum usability in battle.

Initial effectiveness

His abilities allow him to maintain control without micromanaging: stunning a target, passive aura over skeletons, automatic health regeneration. For the carry role, Wraith King simplifies item synchronisation: three slots are enough to dominate the mid-game. A positioning mistake does not lead to instant death, making the hero ideal for beginners.

Sniper: ranged damage with simple controls

Wraith King: the unsinkable commander on the front lineWith Sniper, you can focus on aiming and positioning without having to engage in close combat. This makes him one of the best heroes in Dota 2 for beginners, especially in the mid lane. His playstyle is based on dealing damage from a safe distance. At the same time, you work on your map awareness, choosing the right moment to attack and understanding the line of sight. Sniper helps beginners master the mechanics of the mid lane, feel the rhythm of farming, assess risks and use items such as Dragon Lance or Hurricane Pike correctly.

Crystal Maiden: control and support without strain

Crystal Maiden provides control over the battlefield and support for the team. Her ultimate ability deals damage within a certain radius, her slow blocks the movements of enemies, and her passive ability restores the mana of allies. In low-ranked team play conditions, the hero helps to stabilise team fights.

The list of characters for beginners in Dota 2 includes Crystal Maiden thanks to her predictable position, her clear function, and the ease with which her abilities can be executed. The hero is ideal for learning to support: placing wards, helping at the right moment, managing resources.

Dragon Knight: stability and versatility

Dragon Knight holds any line, maintains the initiative in battle, and easily adapts to any playstyle. He has a high armour index, regeneration, fire breath for farming, and transformation into a dragon for pushing. His resistance to magic allows him to stay in battle longer.

As one of the best heroes for beginners, Dragon Knight reinforces understanding of the map, teaches you how to position yourself in the line, and familiarises you with push times. The clear logic of the items (Power Treads, Blink Dagger, Black King Bar) and the versatility of functions make him an easy character to master.

Riki: stealth as training in patience

Despite his invisibility from the first levels, Riki requires a precise understanding of the map. This hero stimulates awareness, intuition, reaction to objects, and develops tactical thinking. If you make a mistake, punishment follows immediately, but if you play well, you control the enemy’s rear. Lists of characters for beginners in Dota 2 rarely include Riki, but in the right hands, he helps develop crucial skills: choosing the target, the moment of attack, the correct retreat. The hero is suitable for those who want to learn to play aggressively but accurately.

Learn quickly by playing: list of characters for beginners in Dota

The initial stages of learning Dota 2 determine the speed and quality of further growth. An incorrect choice of hero at the beginning makes it difficult to understand the basic mechanics, reduces interest, and complicates team play. Complex characters with active abilities that require precise timing and quick reactions overload the mind. For example, heroes with various transformations or delayed spells require an accurate assessment of the situation, something a beginner cannot do in their first 20-30 games.

In contrast, simple characters offer a more accessible format: simple controls, understandable roles, and predictable skill responses. The beginning of the game becomes a learning zone, where new rules are explained every minute: the line is not just a direction, but a place to calculate position, assess enemy pressure, and work with resources. Understanding these elements comes faster when there is no mechanical overload and the logic of the skills is clear.

In addition, the first victories with these characters reinforce motivation. Every team fight won, every successful ultimate, every correctly chosen item tree creates a cause-and-effect relationship.

Systematic approach

Structured learning is based on roles. Each character for beginners in Dota 2 has a specific area of responsibility and forms an independent set of skills. For example:

  1. Carry requires skilled farming, assessing threats, timing to come out of the forest, and purchasing important artefacts before the 20th minute. This teaches the player to save, not to be greedy, and to avoid excessive aggression without items. Once he senses the right moment for battle, Carry begins to set the pace for the entire team.
  2. The support learns to analyse the situation globally: seeing where an ally is struggling, when to place vision, how to defend against a gank, when to sacrifice yourself to save others. Here, team discipline, understanding of the macro game, and initiative are important. Especially with heroes who can change the outcome of a fight with a single spell. Support strengthens observation reflexes and prioritisation of actions.
  3. Mid laners develop the habit of thinking ahead. Control over runes, rotations, the constant threat of the enemy jungler, the need to balance farming and pressure: all of this promotes flexibility, mobility and the ability to read the map. The role of the mid laner teaches the player to analyse when to come to the rescue and when to put pressure on the towers.

Each position develops certain muscle and tactical reflexes. At the same time, the tips for beginners in the game always contain the same principle: simplify your thinking. Don’t jump into complex combinations, don’t try to repeat e-sports moves, don’t strive for statistics. It is much more important to remember 4-5 behaviour patterns of the hero, learn two starting configurations and respect the frequency of use of the skills.

Direct link between the decision and the result

Dota 2 is based on choices: where you position yourself, who you attack, when you retreat, what you buy, who you ignore. Every action has consequences. The number of decisions in a battle is limited by your attention span. A beginner with an overloaded mind chooses slowly and makes mistakes more often. Gradual learning creates an environment in which fewer decisions are made, but those decisions are of higher quality. By reducing the density of actions, accuracy increases and reflexes are strengthened. This is where the characters for beginners in Dota 2 come in handy: they limit the number of possible mistakes.

Example: a hero with only one active skill only has to make one decision: to use it or not. A character with three active skills that require direction, range and timing creates dozens of combinations. Without a solid foundation, the beginner simply loses the rhythm of the battle. Instead of focusing on the mini-map and the positions of the enemies, the player focuses on the buttons and loses. And losing without understanding the reasons is demotivating.

Beginner characters in Dota 2 as a stepping stone to understanding the game

Crystal Maiden: control and support without strainA hero in Dota 2 is not just a damage model. It is a tool to develop your thinking skills. A wrong choice excludes you, a right choice opens up the game. The characters for beginners in Dota 2 make the game more accessible, form a stable game logic and explain the mechanics without overwhelming you. In highly competitive environments with complex objectives, players who choose a solid foundation progress to the next level more quickly.