Esports is a fairly new term. It was coined some 20 years ago in 1999 when the Online Gamers Association (OGA) came up with “eSports.” The word was quickly adopted as a blanket term to cover any video game competition that requires players to demonstrate sufficient skills to outplay an opponent.
Today’s spelling of the term has changed from “eSports” to “esports,” but its essence remains the same. There are dozens of video games that require an aptitude that goes well beyond what people are naturally capable of cultivating through casual play.
As a result, esports games are almost intuitively recognized. However, for a game to become a true esports, it needs to meet specific criteria, including popularity among its communities and, not least, a sustainable funding method.
Many video gaming companies are trying to enter the esports space today, seeing it to inspire interest in their games and even overcome some development flaws. Only the best and most promising pass muster, though.
Nevertheless, decades of trial and error have produced a long list of esports games to pick from even today. Whatever game you choose to play and however seriously, is up to you, but if you are going to play video games competitively, we recommend picking from the list of esports games below. For your convenience, we have listed them under their respective genre.
Esports Real-Time Strategies
The first genre we will look at is the type of esports games that require the biggest commitment as they are very hard to master. Real-time strategies require muscle memory, the ability to think quickly on your feet, and great concentration.
We would argue that this is perhaps the most entertaining esports genre to watch as anyone who has spent a few weeks trying to play better can appreciate what RTS players at the top level are capable of.
1. StarCraft: Broodwar
- Release date: March 31, 1998
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
StarCraft may also be considered one of the most defining genres of our time when it comes to esports games. The competitive scene that was built in South Korea and radiated outwards towards the rest of the world is one of the reasons why we have esports today.
The original launched on March 31, 1998, and was followed up by Broodwar, an equally popular expansion. StarCraft cultivated some of the best RTS players of our times, people who would play countless hours to train muscle memory, develop strategies and always be one step ahead of their opponents.
A StarCraft player once famously answered the question of what he did in his free time with the line: “I play other races, of course.”
2. StarCraft II
- Release date: July 27, 2010
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
The success of arguably the best RTS game of our time led to a continuation, and Blizzard Entertainment followed up with a new game launched on July 27, 2010. StarCraft II was immediately set with high expectations from the esports community, but the game failed to mark South Korea.
Many professionals were split and chose to play the original, which was alive and well. Through continuous efforts, though, StarCraft II remains a significant title in the esports ecosystem. While the game doesn’t come close to the popularity of the original, it is still a highly recognized title.
Today, ESL continues to host events that attract anything from 10,000 to 20,000 viewers for even some of the smaller competitions on Twitch, and StarCraft II viewership is still overall steady.
There are challenges the game has been slow to address, that’s for sure, but so far as RTS games go, StarCraft is a defining moment in esports history. After all, the original was televised and received a status of national sports in South Korea.
First Person Shooters in Esports
First-person shooters are one of the best-documented and arguably genres video gaming has to offer. When it comes to competitive gaming, though, there are a few that truly stand out. Half-Life and Quake had all the makings of esports, but numerous other games have survived them. Instead, the most prominent of which is Counter-Strike.
3. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Release date: August 12, 2012
- Developer: Valve
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the continuation of the original game and one of the most prominent competitive titles today. Organizations such as BLAST Premier and ESL have long hosted tournaments and events focusing solely on the game. While the game’s player base is not the largest out there, CS: GO has an amazing staying power.
Even today, there are continuous improvements that go into development, but above all else, it’s the continuous support of the community that has kept the game going. Valve has been trying to create better conditions for players through better decision-making on a development level, and BLAST Premier has been expanding the list of covered regions.
The premise of CS: GO is very simple. You have a team of terrorists and counter-terrorist, and your squad goal is to eliminate the opponents, plant, or diffuse a bomb, depending on which side you are playing.
4. Valorant
- Released: June 2, 2020
- Developer: Riot Games
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Valorant is Riot Games’ first foray into first-person shooters and one that has been highly successful if the numbers are any indication. Valorant was the #5 most-watched game in May 2021 in terms of total Twitch hours, according to Newzoo, an analytics firm.
From the very start, Riot vowed to develop the game as organically as possible and allow the competitive ecosystem to grow at its own pace. Esports hours watched in May 2021 for Valorant stood at 11.2 million as a clear indication that the strategy had been working.
Valorant comes with gameplay and mechanics that remind us of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Still, Riot has successfully implemented numerous “agent abilities” that allow you to channel spells around the map and turn the tide of battle in split seconds.
Regardless, Valorant takes a lot of skill in actual aiming, shooting, and even the smart use of abilities, and it’s perhaps a little more appealing to some players precisely because it mixes so many interesting mechanics successfully.
5. Call of Duty
- Released: 2003 – Present
- Developer: Infinity Wards (Since 2003), Treyarch (Since 2005)
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
The Call of Duty franchise is one of the most successful in gaming history, and if you have been a gamer in the past 20 or so years, it’s unlikely that you haven’t heard or even played it. Call of Duty is not about a single game today but rather a series of games. The most recent games are the same ones that feature in the Call of Duty League (CDL). They are developed by Infinity Wards, Treyarch, and Raven Software, for the most part.
Developers pass the baton on a rotating basis. Regardless of the genre’s long development lineage, the Call of Duty League (CDL) was only established in 2019 and was inspired by the Overwatch League (OWL). The inaugural season was held in 2020 and played on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare for PlayStation 4.
Competitive Call of Duty has been focused on console play but shifted to PC for the 2021 season, which was played on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The Atlanta Faze defeated the New York Subliners and became the 2021 CDL champions.
6. Overwatch
- Released: May 3, 2016
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment, Iron Galaxy
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Overwatch is a game that we have a soft spot for and for several reasons. For starters, the game is one of the first franchised esports games, so to speak. Essentially, the game focuses on FPS mechanics but with a fantasy twist. Officially, Blizzard refers to the game as a “hero shooter.” Call it, either way, the success of Overwatch as a game lies in several things.
The game is immensely fun and easy to get into, but at the same time offers a depth of the experience that allows talented players to continually improve their game and set new standards for “meta,” referring to the optimal way of playing a given hero.
At the same time, there is the franchised model with the Overwatch League (OWL)’s slots worth anything between $20 million and $60 million, which has attracted a lot of advertisement and revenue for the company and is also one of the first mass-scale definitive attempts to bring esports fans in live arenas.
Well, the movie has been successful, and Overwatch 2 is following in the footsteps of the original franchise with a new game introducing some excellent changes to the gameplay, competitive setup, and more.
7. Rainbow Six: Siege
- Released: April 7, 2015
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Rainbow Six: Siege is a fairly new competitive game that has had its following for a while now. Ubisoft’s renewed efforts since around 2018 to bring the game to an A-level of competitive gaming has done the community justice, though, and today Rainbow Six Siege is a viable first-person shooter played as an esports. It’s just as intense as CS: GO but relies on a more realistic approach to SWAT combat warfare.
R6 has a different dynamic than most games, and players who seem to lack patience may find it a bit slow. Regardless, it’s one of the defining shooters in esports, and if Ubisoft continues to support the product, Rainbow Six Siege may become a permanent face of the esports canon.
Ubisoft also runs the Rainbow Six Invitational, which is the crowning event of the competitive season with a seven-figure prize pool that tends to go up every year.
Battle Royales in Esports
The battle royale genre was not really meant to happen, or at least not to the extent it has. First-person shooters were long the dominant form, but over the years, players grew weary of the next FPS game and craved combat action on a greater scale. This is where battle royales enter, the games designed with constantly shrinking maps that force dozens of players to play against each other in teams or solo, guaranteeing an action-packed experience for all.
8. Fortnite
- Released: July 21, 2017
- Developer: Epic Games
- Platform: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows
One of the most popular games of all time, Fortnite is a PC gaming phenomenon that quickly sprawled to all other platforms. The game requires a lot of skill and ingenuity, and it has produced some of the most entertaining influencers out there, including Marshmello, Ninja, and Myth, to name a few.
The game’s esports status has long been debated, mostly because there have been complaints about the way Epic Games has hosted events, with servers often struggling to take on the load. In the 2020 Epic vs. Apple lawsuit, numerous testimonies indicated that the company has indeed overestimated what it may realistically earn.
Nevertheless, Fortnite has the necessary backing in purely financial terms, with Epic Games disbursing millions annually. The game itself takes a fair bit of skill to play on the highest level. But hey, what is Fortnite?
It’s a unique blend of how good you are thinking on your feet through a unique feature that allows you to collect materials and build surreal structures that you can use as a shield from enemy fire or even overcome map obstacles. The map is constantly shrinking, so you have to rely on collecting supplies and being the quicker and deadlier shot.
9. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
- Released: December 20, 2017
- Developer: PUBG Corporation, KRAFTON
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Stadia
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) preceded Fortnite, and PUBG Corp. even contested Fortnite as a “knock-off” to which Tim Sweeney, Epic Games CEO, responded on the lines of “if you had invented Fortnite, you would own Fortnite.” That is not an exact quote, but it is a fairly accurate assessment of what Sweeney meant. He meant that games will always have something to learn from each other, and instead of suing, companies should focus on improving their products.
The good news is that PUBG is its own game, and so is Fortnite. PUBG stands out with its gritty realism that appeals to millions of players around the world. Survivalism is deeply rooted in PUBG, and the game has a great tactical element that comes with action-packed skirmishes, land mines, all sorts of vehicles zip-zapping throughout the terrain, and generally nail-biting fights.
PUBG’s fame as an esports game is pivoted on several factors. First, there is the depth of engagement in fights. Then, PUBG Corp. and KRAFTON have expended significant efforts to make their game truly competitive and invest much in the way of prize pools which is what determines the status of a game as an esports title in the first place.
MOBAs in Esports
Massive online battle arenas or MOBAs are a genre that wasn’t taken seriously until 15 or so years. The most prominent member of this genre is, of course, Dota or Defense of the Ancients.
MOBAs are fascinating battle arenas where hundreds of characters and thousands of abilities meet, with players trying to secure the most resources and outplay the opponent in a bid to wreak havoc on their home base. The premise does look simplistic, but the genre is an exhaustible inspiration of gaming creativity and one of the most intense ones when it comes to esports.
10. Dota 2
- Released: July 9, 2013
- Developer: Valve
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Dota 2 is the successor of the Warcraft 3 map modification by the same name. Created by map modders long known by their monikers as Ice Frog and Pendragon, the game is one of the most famous esports titles. It was the first to allocate a seven-figure prize pool to an esports event, with The International offering $1 million for its inaugural season. The International is essentially the World’s Cup finals in Dota 2, and today’s prize pool has reached $40 million for a single event, not counting the prize money allocated to qualifiers known as Majors.
Dota 2 can be a little overwhelming at first, but the good news is that you can benefit from many learning scenarios where you play against AI and get to learn the abilities of individual characters over the years. Overall, the game is fun and accessible after clocking in some time on it, and it’s definitely one of the most significant esports titles of our times.
If you are looking to get any good at Dota 2, you must know that there are hundreds of talented hundreds of thousands out there, so the competition is definitely big, but then again, there are $40 million and more on the line. Every year!
11. League of Legends
- Released: October 27, 2009
- Developer: Riot Games
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
With Dota 2 dominating headlines, the MOBA genre was born in earnest, and this is how Riot Games came to be. The company thought that MOBA was too restrictive and punishing to new players, and thus, League of Legends was created. League of Legends is another fantasy title with a much milder atmosphere and vibrant design.
The almost cartoonish look of the game made it very appealing to casual and competitive players alike, allowing it to amass popularity that soon dwarfed Dota 2. While some competitive features were removed from the game, such as the ability “to deny” a creep at first, League of Legends felt and played just as competitively on the highest level.
Today, League of Legends is one of the most significant esports games we have, and it will continue to be so. It’s not just that, though. The game’s unique world has inspired other games, and not least Wild Rift, a mobile version of League of Legends, and Legends of Runeterra telling us a little more about the lore of Riot Games’ world.
Digital Card Games in Esports
Card games were a sport long before they went digital. In digital card games, you mostly have to pay to collect the best cards, which is what Magic The Gathering is, but then again, there is a fair degree of skill. That is how these games have come to be, and today, they have their dedicated following and prized tournaments. The skill here admittedly has to do with a knowledge and understanding of card games that resemble poker, but you can rest assured that you need to be a savvy player to top the ladder board, and hence why we believe these games are esports!
12. Hearthstone
- Released: March 11, 2014
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android
Hearthstone has a casual look about it, but this Blizzard Entertainment gem can be played as competitively as you want it to. The game is very easy to get into and uses a very simple card game mechanic that may not come with a lot of originality but surely creates a unique and popular world.
As a result, Hearthstone has won millions of fans worldwide, and not least because it made sure to be available for PC as well as Android and iOS. Everything about the game is quite interesting, from the way you design your decks to the arenas that allow you to prove your skill.
Of course, as is the matter with digital card games, over the years, the cost of entry has increased slightly, but this shouldn’t worry you as there are some very affordable packages to get started. When you consider the fact that Hearthstone is free to play, there I no reason why you shouldn’t spend a bit to get your cards.
13. Magic: The Gathering
- Released: September 27, 2018
- Developer: Wizards of the Coast
- Platform: Android, iOS, Macintosh operating systems, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Magic: The Gathering is the hardcore classic of all collectible card games, and now, it’s available on various platforms. You can play MTG online, and while the game has a darker and more competitive edge, this has not stopped players from all over the world from participating and continually trying to win some of the bigger tournaments out there.
As an esports ecosystem, MTG is fairly new, but competitive Magic has been around for decades, with players first playing in the physical world before taking things digitally. We enjoy Magic: The Gathering, and so long as you are prepared to allocate some small budget to the game, we do believe that you will appreciate this game as an esports gem.
Mobile Esports Games
The future of esports is in mobile games. This statement is almost scandalous when you consider that most esports are played on PC or, failing that, consoles. However, there has been a huge shift from developers in recent years towards the mobile segment as a way to reach new audiences.
And, since people who play mobile games do love esports, companies have decided to explore this narrative. In fact, many games already have mobile versions, including Fortnite and PUBG, and depending on when you are reading that – Valorant. Even League of Legends got a mobile version. Below you will find a list of only the mobile esports games that were designed as such from the very start.
14. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Released: July 14, 2016
- Developer: Moonton
- Platform: Android, iOS
The success of League of Legends echoed across the world, and soon after the game released, Moonton, the developer behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, decided to give the MOBA genre a spin of its own. The game became an immediate success in Southeast Asia, and it attracted a loyal following of players who appreciated it perhaps even more so than they did League of Legends.
While there were some clear and undeniable parallels between Mobile Legends and League of Legends, Moonton stood by its product and not least because there were many fans who really wanted the game to develop as a fully-fledged esports. Well, the good news is that it has, and the game remains extremely popular in Asia, although it definitely has a few honest rivals to look out for.
15. Wild Rift
- Released: 2020
- Developer: Riot Games
- Platform: Android, iOS
Riot Games took a fair bit of time before it decided to branch into mobile gaming, but when it did, Wild Rift, League of Legends mobile alter-ego has been borne. The game doesn’t quite enjoy the same status as an esports just yet, but it’s definitely getting there. Riot is using a familiar strategy and is focusing on developing the game organically.
Wild Rift already has a sustainable player base, and while mobile esports games are certainly somewhat new in the west, they are slowly picking up numbers in Asia, which could be what Riot is attempting to do.
In any event, Wild Rift is a high-quality product based on the League of Legends metaverse and creating unique gameplay experiences with characters ported gradually over the mobile version so as to allow players time to learn all there is about it. Once again, the learning curve for this Riot title is mild, and mistakes aren’t punished as severely as in other titles on the market.
16. Arena of Valor
- Released: October 14, 2016
- Developer: Garena
- Platform: iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Arena of Valor is another crack at the MOBA game genre for mobile platforms. Known as the international version of Honor of Kings, another mobile MOBA with enormous popularity in China, Arena of Valor is currently not quite as popular as other mobile esports games, but it’s getting there.
The game has a unique universe of characters and heroes who have their distinct, yet familiar and intuitive abilities. To make things even better, there has been a constant stream of funding for the title with the prize pool sitting at $500,000 for each annual event. Just like with regular MOBAs, you team up with four other characters, besides your own, and try to annihilate the opponent’s base.
The game’s success has clearly been focused on more mobile-friendly markets such as India and Southeast Asia, although it was originally designed to appeal to players in Europe and North America. Well, Arena of Valor’s bid has been a success because it maintains a healthy player base and continues to develop as an esports.
17. Clash of Clans
- Released: August 2, 2012
- Developer: Supercell
- Platform: Android, iOS
Clash of Clans is one of the best mobile esports games out there developed by Supercell and continually featuring in events and tournaments around the world. In fact, Clash of Clans is one of the first games in the mobile esports space, too and while the game started as a purely “freemium” game where players were incentivized to buy special currencies to boost their attacks, the game quickly spawned a healthy competitive ecosystem.
In reality, Clash of Clans doesn’t take refined motor skills you would need in other games, but you still have to make the right calls in order to inflict maximum damage to your opponent’s clan and bring home the biggest plunder. The game’s success has allowed Supercell to disburse $1 million prize pool for an annual crowning event that is actually enjoying a lot of attention.
To get an idea of how successful Clash of Clans is as a game just consider the average monthly base which is around 130 million people globally!
18. Brawl Stars
- Released: June 15, 2017
- Developer: Supercell
- Platform: Android, iOS
Brawl Stars is Supercell’s latest mobile game and one of the biggest hits in mobile esports. Now, the game didn’t exactly start as a competitive game on a tournament scale, but it has quickly moved up to be one. As a result, Brawl Stars is regarded as a competitive game, and there are many great things you can do in it.
Yet, the game has a casual element to it, and even if you are not a cut-throat competitor, you will still find the game enjoyable. In essence, Brawl Stars pits players in three-versus-three teams, with each player using unique guns and weaponry, as well as skills, to eradicate the opponents.
It’s a fun and somewhat wacky game, and Supercell did allocate some serious funding to kickstart the esports ecosystem, but the game’s long-term success as a mobile esport will depend on whether the community remains steady and funding continues.
19. Clash Royale
- Released: March 2, 2016
- Developer: Supercell
- Platforms: Android, iOS
Clash Royale is one of the early-day mobile esports games and definitely a worthwhile game, especially if you enjoy mobile gaming in the first place and have a competitive nature. The game is predicated on you successfully destroying the enemy’s base while defending your own from the waves of “creeps” that your opponent sends to lay siege to your castle, destroy your towers, and ultimately claim your kingdom.
Clash Royale doesn’t require so much physical skill or quick reflexes as it does a carefully planned-through strategy and the ability to act quickly if something goes off-script. We enjoy the game and believe that it’s one of the truly awesome mobile esports out there with a fairly proven status already.
Sports Simulators in Esports
Sports simulators have become quite popular over the years, and not least thanks to EA’s efforts in developing the FIFA and NBA2K franchises. With the additions of NFL and NHL games, the sports simulator genre has really picked up steam, and today, many of these games are even trying to compete with established video games. Esports doesn’t necessarily have to do with shooters, MOBAs, or RTS, it seems.
20. FIFA
- Released: 1997 – Present
- Developer: EA Vancouver
- Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Google Stadia, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
FIFA is one of the most iconic sports simulator series. Published by EA for over a decade now, the game is definitely one of the most memorable titles there is. Since at least 2018, the company has been making significant efforts to promote FIFA as an esports game. In fact, EA stated on numerous occasions that it is hoping to achieve recognition and viewership similar to League of Legends.
While the company acknowledged that the sports simulator might struggle a bit and this target is probably out of reach, it did reaffirm its commitment to maintaining the game’s esports status. FIFA has indeed attracted numerous competitive players, and today many professional soccer teams around the world field players who can represent them.
The FIFA eWorld Cup Finals are always exciting to watch, and participants are rewarded accordingly with hefty prize purses offered to the winners. While the idea of a sports simulator esports title is a little new as a whole, the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely highlighted some of the benefits of embracing sports simulators as a continuation of the mainstream sports experience.
21. NBA 2K
- Released: November 10, 1999 – Present
- Developer: 2K Games
- Platform: 2K Games, 2K Sports, Visual Concepts, PROXIMA BETA, Virtuos, 2K China
The NBA2K is an interesting phenomenon, and so far as sports simulators go, it’s fair to say that it’s the one to be fully adopted by a mainstream sports body. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and its commissioner Adam Silver welcomed the NBA2K as a “part of the family,” referring to the fact that the organization was serious about featuring esports as a fully-fledged aspect of the experience.
As a result, NBA2K has achieved a full status of an esports title as part of the basketball ecosystem. Many teams in the NBA today have hired full-time and salaried players to represent them, and the salaries start at around $36,000, meaning that each player can make a comfortable living while focusing entirely on their NBA2K career.
It’s a rare privilege to have a fairly low-key game such as NBA2K offer a financially solid career path that allows players to focus on their training and drive results and engagement for the franchises they represent.
22. Rocket League
- Released: July 7, 2015
- Developer: Psyonix
- Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems
Rocket League does not exactly fit the type. Calling it a sports simulator would be a bit of a stretch unless there is a sport out there where you drive sports cars and bounce a huge soccer ball around. That is the premise of Rocket League, which is predicated on soccer but takes the experience a notch further by adding a distinctly fantastic element, replacing players with vehicles.
Regardless of its seemingly quirky nature, Rocket League is more or less a sports simulator, and it offers a highly entertaining gaming experience and a well-developed esports ecosystem. The game feels a little more casual than other hardcore esports, and you may actually find it a lot of fun to play or even try becoming good at!
