ESport: An Enthusiasm Without Previous

The struggle rages among video game enthusiasts like League of Legends, Overwatch or FIFA, the eSport has entered by the big door. For several years the movement has grown and it seems that all the indicators for the 2017 vintage are green: this will be the year of eSports.

Some Key Figures on eSports

• 1,000,000 euros: Some players exceed one million euros of annual income, as the Korean star Faker. He is the "Messi" of the video game "League of Legends"
• 43,000,000: This is the number of people who watched the world's most popular game championship, League of Legends
• 1,000,000,000 euros: the price at which Amazon bought Twitch, the streaming reference platform allowing an audience to watch other people playing video games

The world of football debuts in eSports

2017 will also be the arrival of football clubs (virtual) on the scene of eSports. 9 months ago, the PSG announced its arrival in a fanfare in the universe of the eSport, and that, with the blows of millions. The results have not yet been as expected (as in "real" football), because, and this may surprise more than one novice, competition is keen on the international scene.

Still in the field of football, another famous club has managed to get involved in this 100% digital universe, Schalke 04 (based in Germany).

By the end of the year, many clubs will launch their eSport team. Concerning the French clubs, strong rumors announce the arrivals of LOSC, FC Nantes or even AS Monaco. The craze is there!

Partnerships with industry experts

Some clubs will launch by themselves, but others, seeing the difficulties of the PSG, will surely choose to associate with existing organizations. Last year, the two largest French companies were bought out, namely Eclypsia and Millenium.

In addition, fund raising and takeovers for eSports structures are increasing, demonstrating investor interest. These are true "professionals" of this nascent sport, they have all the skills to allow the new entrants (soccer clubs in particular) to take a place of choice.

Other protagonists have come "in the game" as TF1 who decided to incubate GamersOrigin, and Orange who recruited "Shaunz" as Ambassador Gaming Esport (well known figure of the eSport).

Traditional actors intensify their investment

Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturers are also redoubling their efforts.

Still on GamersOrigin, these "video sports" experts are sponsored by Nahimic Audio (integrated audio optimization software), by Shadow (cloud computing solution) or by KLIM, a young French gaming device manufacturer (mouse, keyboard, ... ). Yes, just as footballers have their shoes, "gamers" have their equipment dedicated to be more efficient!

How to become e-Sportif?

Between the Millenials and those looking for a possible reconversion, here are some elements to become a champion of sport 2.0.

In the first place, you have to start ... .young! Most players become professionals between 16 and 20 years old, and, started playing very early. Retirement often takes place around 25 years: the main reason is the "lassitude of the game".

Indeed, unlike a traditional sport, it is often necessary to train more than 60 hours per week. After a few years, it is not surprising that many lose the pleasure of playing. Also, their body is strained because the wrist problems are recurring (the famous carpal tunnel syndrome that has cut short many careers).

It is also necessary to be (very) well equipped, namely to have a powerful computer as well as a mouse with a precision sensor and a preferably mechanical keyboard. For some games, a high performance helmet is also essential.

Clearly, there is an alignment of stars in the world of eSports. 15 years after the networked parties in the shadows (the "LAN parties" of which I was a big follower ...), Gamers have never been so trendy!

Finally, even the French academy has announced the entry of the word eSport in the dictionary. Sustainable or simple passing mode?