The Biggest Esports Games Every Gamer Should Know

Esports is an integral part of this industry, with global users of over 200 million. Each year, numerous gaming tournaments are held across the globe. With their growing popularity, their prize pool also increases, going to millions. Due to their vast popularity, they are also attracting sponsors from the gaming-related markets and more conventional brands like RedBull, Nike, etc. 

With a plethora of games around, let's take a look at the biggest hits in the Esports world which generate millions in revenue and whose players win millions in prize money-

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO)

This game requires no introduction even to non-gamers, such was its popularity. Developed by Valve Corporation together with Hidden Path Entertainment and released in 2012. It is a First Person Shooter, just like its predecessors in the counterstrike series. The gameplay is simple; there are two teams - terrorists and counter-terrorists which fight in fast-paced small matches to plant or defuse bombs and save hostages.

With over 20 million players in 2020, its major tournament has been sponsored by Valve, a game developer from the US, since 2013. Across all matches, the total prize money awarded is nearly 100 million to date.

League of Legends

One of the most famous games in Asia by Riot games is a multiplayer, real-time, action-strategy game, commonly called MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena). Its gameplay is similar to DOTA. There are two teams to destroy the other team's 'nexus'. Each team can have 3 to 5 players. Its world championship is one of the most significant esports events by viewership and has a prize pool of 2 million dollars. 

In 2009, the captivating game awarded over 75 million dollars in prize money to top players like Sang Hyeok Lee, Ho Seong Lee, and Jun Sik Bae.

Fortnite

This Epic Games product is popular due to its versatility and colourful graphics. With three different game modes - Save the world, Battle Royale, and Creative - it has something for everyone. This 2017 third-person shooter is unique because a player can not only shoot and attack but also build walls, stairs etc.

Its biggest tournament is the Fortnite World Cup taking place annually from 2019. In 2019 it had a prize pool of 15.1 million, the biggest of 2019. Overall it has awarded winnings over 89 million dollars to top players like Kyle Giersdorf and Harrison Chang.

Dota 2

Launched by Valve Corporation in 2013, this sequel to Defense of the Ancients: All-Stars, is immensely popular in North America and Europe. It is a battle arena game in which teams of 5 compete against each other. The objective is to destroy a thing called 'ancient' in the enemy's base. There are many different characters that a player can choose, with each one having different powers and weaknesses.

This game's most crucial esport event is The International, with winnings going off the charts. Top players like Johan Sundstein, Jesse Vainikka and Anathan Pham have won millions. The total prize money awarded till now is a whopping 225 million dollars.

Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)

This battle royale game developed by UBG Corporation is arguably the best Battle Royale game. This game promises endless fun with balanced gameplay, good maps, and a plethora of weapons and tactics. The main gameplay includes battle royale matches against 100 other players. One can play solo or in teams of 2 or 4. 

You can play this 2017 game either in the First-person or third-person. The biggest tournaments of PUBG include the Global Championship and the Nations Cup. The total prize money won to date is over 22 million dollars.