The esports industry continues to grow in market size and popularity. Revenues are soaring, while online viewership is ballooning. While there’s plenty for first-time audiences to enjoy, long-standing followers can also look forward to some exciting new developments courtesy of technological advancements. Virtual reality looks set to redefine the way we experience online events, while artificial intelligence is overhauling content creation production and providing esports teams with a powerful recruitment tool. Below, we’ll explore the biggest innovations that look set to shape esports over the next few years.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Over the past decade, viable virtual reality technology has become readily affordable. With more budget-friendly headsets entering the market, VR games have become commonplace, rather than the rare exception. Going forward, expect to see VR titles become firm fixtures of esports schedules. VR’s close cousin, augmented reality (AR), is a less tested take on the technology. Before we can predict AR and its applications for esports, we’ll first need to see how well augmented reality games fare commercially.
However, it’s not just games that can be enhanced by virtual and augmented reality. In fact, it’s esports audiences who will be the first to benefit from the tech. Companies like Virtex are creating new ways for viewers to engage with their esports. Virtex Stadium, an immersive virtual platform, has already been put to the test by high-profile titles like Counter-Strike 2. Esports events aren’t always the easiest to get to, while high ticket prices can lock out many younger spectators. With virtual stadiums like the one developed by Virtex, remote viewers can fully engage with the action.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has countless applications, including many within the esports sector. AI is actively used by developers to create more dynamic gameplay. Non-playable characters have long been a staple of video games, but these roles have largely been computer-controlled enemies or random encounters. With AI technology rapidly evolving, it’s now becoming possible for developers to include AI-driven characters that assist players, rather than work against them. However, such technology needs to become the standard before esports organizers are likely to include games with this feature in tournament schedules.
Behind the scenes, there’s a lot more that AI can do. It’s an incredibly useful coaching tool, giving players unrivalled insights into their performance. This
dramatically flattens the learning curve for rookies, while established pros can finely tune their playing strategy. Organizations can also use AI to scout for new talent. Machine learning algorithms can trawl through vast sets of data to find the most promising candidates for team selection, saving precious time and money on unsuccessful hires.
Mobile Gaming Developments
Advancements in smartphone technology have led to a boom time for the mobile gaming market, with an outlook that’s never looked healthier. In 2024, the global market size was valued at approximately $98 billion. By 2027, it’s estimated to be worth more than $118 million. As of 2024, it’s estimated around 3 billion people play games on their mobiles, with around half that number concentrated in countries within the Asia-Pacific region.
With everyday handsets now more than ever before, the gap between mobile games and console-based titles is growing ever more marginal. Unsurprisingly, mobile titles have gained traction within the esports sector. Even for long-standing fans of competitive gaming, mobile esports presents a fresh entertainment stream.
The usual heavyweights like Counter-Strike and LoL aren’t in charge here. Instead, it’s games like PUBG Mobile, Hearthstone, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang that dominate. That’s not to say the old favorites aren’t represented. League of Legends: Wild Rift has been available to iOS and Android users since 2020, with a console version in the pipeline. Prefer the original? Head to 1337PRO to find out how well your favorite LoL team is doing at the League of Legends World Championship or get the latest LCS schedule.
The Next Era for Esports
While AR and VR technology will undoubtedly transform gaming experiences over the next decade, it’s smaller strides forward that will have the biggest impact on the esports sector. It’s the roaring appetite for mobile gaming that will have the most significant effect on the industry. Mobile gamers already outnumber console and PC ones, with more mobile-only players set to join them as 5G connectivity becomes more accessible. Mobile games are already an established presence within esports, with several titles boasting prize pools that dwarf the offerings of traditional titles.