When it comes to comparing traditional sports to eSports, there’s still room for debate. Twenty years ago, the idea of comparing a video gamer to an athlete like LeBron James would have been shot down immediately. However, gamers like Shroud and xQc have helped solidify eSports ‘athletes as bone fide champions.
Sure, they don’t have the same physical prowess as a LeBron or a Bukayo Saka, but they rely on a delicate balance of motor skills, accuracy, and quick-thinking—three skills an athlete couldn’t live without. Slowly but surely, eSports are finding their place amid the world’s most competitive pursuits. The fact that the International Olympic Committee has launched an Olympic Esports branch should say as much.
Similarly, even sportsbooks have started to offer lines on eSports. For example, a welcome bonus from Bet365, a sportsbook that has overwhelmingly focused on the big leagues, can be used for eSports lines. Newcomers will have the choice between betting on League of Legends, CS: GO, and Dota 2 competitions. Similarly, long-time sports bettors can easily test the waters by tapping on that ‘Esports’ category.
But what about the finer differences between these two wholly different (and yet wildly similar) worlds of competition? Let’s dive in and explore the differences between eSports and traditional sports.
Every Game is its Own Unique World
Esports is usually listed under a single category for many publications and websites. You’ll see it listed beside basketball, football, and more for more general news sites. But in reality, game types (MOBA, FPS, sports simulation, etc) are basically like different sports under the larger umbrella of eSports. Though they’re clumped together, they’re incredibly distinct—and you need to know the nuances to fully appreciate what you’re watching.
Before you start watching basketball, for example, you need to have a solid understanding of how the game works, how popular leagues like the NBA and EuroLeague work, and a bit about the teams you’ll be watching. The same is true for eSports. In other words, jumping from a stream that covers CS: GO to Dota 2 might not be as straightforward as you think, as these are two very different games—just like basketball and ice hockey, for example.
eSports Weighs a Little Heavier on Stats
Esports don’t allow for quite the same degree of individual style as traditional sports. While video games tend to offer plenty in the way of customization, many of the world’s top gamers are more focused on results than style. That means there’s usually a heavier emphasis on stats.
Think of it like baseball. Baseball is a game of micro-outcomes, similar to eSports. To understand what’s happening from a broader perspective, spectators must take a step back and dive into the data behind the most elite teams and players. This will help you truly appreciate what’s happening in the game—or even keep track of what’s happening as the match unfolds.
In fact, learning the ins and outs of how player and team performance is gauged in each tournament type should be your first assignment as a new eSports fan. Remember that some competitions might also allocate points differently or have different rules. Think of this like the example above of the NBA being a bit different from the EuroLeague despite both focusing on basketball.
eSports Has a Stronger International Twist
As we outlined above, the world of eSports is incredibly varied and global. You can follow a variety of leagues, from regional competitions to domestic leagues to international championship series. In other words, there’s a global tournament on par with the FIFA World Cup or Olympic Games every single year—and for every single popular game.
This might be one of the more disorienting elements of moving from traditional sports into eSports. By comparison, few traditional sports leagues dip into international waters (aside from the two mentioned above). But in the world of eSports, anyone can host a league.
For example, both Riot Games and Valve host international championship series. Entrants are based on a few different criteria, including their performance in regional and domestic leagues. Along with global championships, most spectators focus on following the tournaments and leagues that are specific to their region.
