Introduction

An Introduction to a

 world wide phenomenon

The picture above showcases a tournament for the computer game Dota 2 that had over 10,000 people attend and a 18,000,000$ prize pool. 

Many video games today have vast competitive scenes with many followers and devote fans. Some people don't even play the games and just participate as a spectator sport. Others choose to try to be the best at specific games and become very successful. 

So just how big is this gaming thing? Let's start with this: 205 million people watched or played Esports in 2014 -- meaning that if the Esports nation were actually a nation, it would be the fifth largest in the world. And while eSports have long been biggest in Asia, especially gaming-mad Korea, North America and Europe now claim 28 million eSports fans and the number is growing by 21 percent a year.

 The signs of success already mirror the achievements of major sports. Game tournaments sell out giant arenas, and some attract at-home audiences larger than those of top traditional sporting events. Madison Avenue’s highest fliers, like Coca-Cola and American Express, have lined up as sponsors. Prize money has soared to the millions of dollars, and top players earn six- or seven-figure incomes and attract big and passionate followings, luring a generation of younger players to seek fame and fortune as gamers.