By The network mode in Doom 2 served as the catalyst for the growth of modern esports, but Quake was the actual game changer. Less than a year after Quake’s release, the USA welcomed the first professional esports league, and the industry grew exponentially.
Esports originated from this region and then moved to China, Southeast Asia, and South America. The first of these are Africa and the Middle East, but there is no doubt that they are about to develop a passion for esports. There are still countries and even entire continents where the number of esports players and viewers are less. We outline the contributions of five nations to the growth of esports.
South Korea
In this nation, Starcraft has developed into a true cult. South Korea continues to adore the game and host competitions that are still attended by a sizable audience even today, whereas in the rest of the globe it has faded into obscurity. Many Koreans are present across a variety of genres; they have strong positions in Overwatch, PUBG, and League of Legends, where this summer’s LCK Summer 2022 will feature Korean teams competing for a spot at the Worlds.
China
Nearly every other more or less well-liked discipline has leaders among the Chinese. It makes sense that China is closely monitoring esports given that the country has the largest esports fanbase in the world, with around 250 million fans. The second rank is highly deserved because Chinese champions and organizations can be signed up for a very long period and have a lot to offer in the field of esports.
USA
It was difficult to decide between the US and China. Esports are not as popular in America as they are in China, and the infrastructure behind them appears to be lacking. On the other side, the US continues to be the largest esports market, despite historical advantages such as the fact that the majority of significant tournaments, organizations, and champions are held in the US. The 2022 World Championship, the largest League of Legends competition, will likewise be held in the USA.
Sweden
Esports are being developed throughout Europe unevenly, with the north being significantly more advanced than the south. First and foremost, we should draw attention to Sweden, which is home to several well-known esports personalities as well as a number of significant organizations, like Ninjas in Pyjamas, Alliance, and another tournament organizer, Dreamhack, who is in charge of numerous big contests. This has a significant impact on Sweden’s ability to stand out among other European nations and propel it to the fifth spot on the list.
Ukraine
Esports in Ukraine have a long history; at the first World Cyber Games, Ukrainians demonstrated advanced skills in Counter-Strike and Quake, and after Warcraft’s introduction, it attracted a large number of competent Ukrainian players. The Cyber Sports Arena, one of the best stadiums in Europe, is located in Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine.
As Barcelona is well-known in football, Natus Vincere is the equivalent in esports. Despite having a population of only 42 million, the Ukrainian squad boasts a 50 million-person audience. Gold at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021 is one of the team’s most recent awards.
