The esports industry has grown tremendously in terms of reach and viewership over the years. Esports, which was once considered a subset of sports culture, is now a full-fledged industry. Technological advancements have played an important role in keeping this industry vertical interesting, and they are one of the major drivers behind this expansion. Corporates are using eSports for marketing purposes, which goes on to highlight the potential of the industry. Read more to see how companies are partnering with eSports for strategic marketing positioning.
During the period 2020-2025, the mobile gaming market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14%. This increase is attributed to factors such as increased smartphone penetration and increased adoption of advanced technologies for game development, according to experts.
Technological advancements behind the growth of eSports
The following are some technological advancements that have aided in the global expansion of esports.
Gaming hardware upgrades
Processors, monitors, input devices, audio systems, mobile phones, streaming equipment, and other specialized hardware devices are all part of the hardware evolution. Hardware advancements have improved the overall gaming experience and elevated it to a new level, making gameplay more engaging and realistic.
Fast internet connections
Access to high-speed internet is one of the factors accelerating the growth of esports. The overall gaming experience has been impacted by the availability of high-speed internet connections over 3G/4G spectrum and broadband. In the past, a standard internet connection was grossly inadequate, and gamers experienced lags while playing. Fast internet connections, on the other hand, now ensure that gameplay is seamless.
Easy internet access contributes to the growth of a larger gaming community with a highly targeted esports audience. Global smartphone population is covered by a high-speed 4G network, and 5G is on the way, which will strengthen the foundations of online esports even more.
Smartphones easily accessible
The growing popularity of smartphones has propelled the esports phenomenon to new heights. The larger In India, 80 percentage of gamers use mobile devices. The only reason for this growth is the availability of low-cost smartphones.
The availability of low-cost smartphones and lower data costs boosted mobile gaming adoption even more. Gamers now have the option of buying high-end gaming mobiles on a budget without sacrificing camera, display quality, or other gaming-specific features.
Smartphone manufacturers have begun to develop smartphones that are optimized for mobile gaming and pro-gaming.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
With top-notch advancements for immersive and exciting game experiences, AR and VR have set out to bring dramatic change to the esports sector. These new technology advancements aided in the development of 3D gaming effects.
AR and VR have transformed the proportions of gameplay significantly. They help in the creation of an imaginative scene during games, which stimulates the bodily presence of the gamer. It provides gamers with a fully immersive virtual environment. This is only the beginning, since there will be many more breakthroughs in the future.
Artificial Intelligence
People would never have guessed that AI would play such an important role in the gaming industry. This cutting-edge technology is now beginning to make an impact. Artificial Intelligence-powered solutions are allowing data-driven judgments to be made by watching and analyzing esports competitions.
AI technologies are currently being used by teams and players to better their gaming strategy. FalconAI, for example, has offered AI-powered solutions to assist esports players in improving their abilities in games such as League of Legends and Valorant, among others.
Cloud gaming
Cloud gaming is about to change the way people play games. It will eliminate the need on local hardware for gaming. Tech heavyweights are working on Cloud gaming systems like Google Stadia, which will allow players to play games on low-end devices with only a fast internet connection as a requirement. There will be no more high-priced gear or long downloads. Cloud gaming allows gamers to stream visuals to their devices while storing and processing data on cloud data centers.
It is time to take advantage of esports technology
The success of commercialization in conventional sports has served as a model for esports. Brands, property holders, and developers have imitated or adapted what they regard as a successful model. And it’s worked up to this point.
The early days of esports commercialization were mostly pushed by game publishers such as Riot Games and Activision Blizzard, who established franchise leagues and provided additional financial options for teams and individuals.
However, there have been few examples of marketers, rights holders, or developers using the characteristics of esports that distinguish it from conventional sports. Only when these benefits are appropriately exploited can the industry’s growth be truly accelerated. The most significant benefit of esports is its extensive understanding of digital platforms, technology, and automation. Despite all of the rhetoric about conventional sports adopting more innovation, esports technology can be used in ways that few other forms of entertainment can. It’s also one of the only sports in which the majority of the public grew up with the internet and expects personalized material at their fingertips. The use of technology is the link between achieving fan expectations and providing a connection between companies and fans.
