Esports, which officially means electronic sports, is one of the hottest pop cultures all over the world according to JW Web Magazine. Simply put, Esports are video games that are played in a highly organized competitive environment, according to an article written by Harvard University.
Video games are becoming more popular every year. The Sports and Outdoor Inspirer says that the video game industry now generates more revenue than the film and music industries, and gaming is no longer just a hobby for many. Professional gamers are finding their way into professional Esports and compete against each other in competitions for high prize money.
Asians are known for being competitive with this line of sports. According to the 2021 report of Niko Partners, Asia is the world’s largest and most important region for esports, accounting for more than 54 percent of the 1 billion-dollar global esports market.
In Asia, there are certain esports games that are more popular than the others. Here’s a list of the Top Six (6) Most Popular Esports Games in Asia this 2022:
DESKTOP GAMES
Photo: Active Player
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO)
Esports fans continue to love CSGO. And win.gg is asking – What’s the main reason for this? Is it because of its fanbase and gaming community? Or is it the million-dollar tournaments? Or perhaps, the ease of playing it?
Added win.gg, CSGO hasn’t lost its luster compared to other games. This game is straightforward and has an intuitive gameplay. The entire game revolves around the concept of “kill or be killed”. Players use guns and other weapons we all have seen in the news.
Also, the appeal of CSGO goes beyond playing the game and placing bets. Skins and items have created a following and a world of their own.
All these factors and many other dynamics are contributing to the success and popularity of CSGO.
Photo: DotEsports
- League of Legends (LoL)
It’s appealing to find a free-to-play game that isn’t pay-to-win. Perhaps, that’s exactly the first charm of LoL. But added leaguefeed.net, the company still makes money because many of the players put real money towards skins. In fact, players end up paying more than what they would have paid for a subscription.
According to League Feed, another reason this type of free-to-play model is popular is because people are hesitant when it comes to trying out a new game – they fear that they will end up wasting money on a game that they really don’t like. However, with LoL, you can play a couple of matches and determine if you like it or not, and then players can share it with their friends, without pressuring them to spend money on it.
Other reasons are – Its competitive nature; the regular updates; the games are short; and it’s multiplayer, so you can play with friends.
Photo: Strafe
- DotA 2
DotA 2 is popular with video game players. But according to the ESTNN website, that’s not all. DotA 2 betting is widely considered to be a pillar of the esports world. Whether people are placing wagers on the winner of a global gaming tournament, or betting on the final score.
Another key factor that has consistently driven the popularity of DotA 2 is the fact it’s completely free to download. Making it much more accessible than other games on the market. And there’s no need to purchase anything. All the cosmetic upgrades only affect the appearance. Players who choose to invest in these won’t be at a strategic advantage. It’s a true level playing field.
Added ESTNN, it’s a team game. And the sense of community is a vital aspect of many game franchises. The collaborative aspect has cemented the success of tournaments, social media livestreams, and chatty YouTube channels, all of which make sure there’s an ongoing dialogue about DotA 2.
Another important factor that is working to its advantage is its complexity. For some players, the complexity of the game is off-putting – but for many more, it’s its USP. The strategic gameplay can be challenging and this makes it hugely rewarding.
MOBILE GAMES
Photo: Active Player
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML:BB)
Dubbed as the mobile version of DotA 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is so popular because of its simple gameplay. And it offers vast tutorials to get new players onboard quickly.
Other factors contributing to its popularity are the intuitive game control and good graphics. As per gameslol.mx – for some people, when it comes to playing a game, the graphics aspect is a huge aspect. And Mobile Legends does this in a way that its contemporaries fail to do so.
It is also playable with friends, available in all game modes. But perhaps, the most interesting part is this – All of its heroes are created based on the various countries they are from. That smells fun.
PHOTO: Esports Observer
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
Player’s Unknown Battleground, more commonly known as PUBG, can be played on PC, tablet and smartphone. It is a battle royale game which means that it is an online multiplayer game based on the concepts of ‘survival’ and ‘last man standing’.
As per Tech Gaming Report, the graphics of this game are the best part. And the game mechanics, meanwhile, are impressive. This is a highly entertaining game with lots of features. Added, you keep playing this game, you will be levelling up. This means you get to experience the game in all its sophistication. You get to try new weapons, new dresses and new maps. You will experience the joy of finding your name on top of the leaderboard. You will also get plenty of ranks and rewards for completing challenges and missions.
As a footnote, live streams have made PUBG more popular. There are so many reasons why this eSport game is popular.
PHOTO: Switchplayer
- Arena of Valor (AoV) / King of Glory (KoG)
Arena of Valor is the version of the West of China’s hit game Honor of Kings (also known as King of Glory). According to Pandaily, it is such a viral mobile title both in and out of China because of the ample localizations it added to cater to the Western audience.
Added Pandaily, AoV’s art style and character designs mostly included heroes or mythical creatures with European and American features. Instead of embracing a more traditional Chinese style of clothing, characters generally appear more technologically advanced, beastly, or superhero-like while radiating an aura of justice around them. And instead of including popular characters from SNK’s King of Fighters such as Shiranui Mai, which is definitely a popular choice among players across Asia, Tencent opted for characters more well known in the West such as DC Universe’s Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
We are just scratching the tip of the surface. As of right now, there are hundreds of popular eSports titles. And aside from that, another popular area is eSports betting. This field is where Oriental Game comes in. With over 10 years of experience, 100 business partners and 200 products installed, all the necessary areas are covered.
Asian players occupy a particularly dominating position in almost all eSports, according to an article by The Game Haus. And similar to these Asian players, partnership with OG Sports will surely result in a fruitful partnership – lucrative and definitely fun!
Sources:
https://jw-webmagazine.com/esports-games/
https://hir.harvard.edu/esports-part-1-what-are-esports/
https://nikopartners.com/esports-in-asia/
https://www.ispo.com/en/trends/top-5-most-popular-esports-games
https://leaguefeed.net/why-is-league-of-legends-so-popular/
https://estnn.com/why-is-dota-2-such-a-popular-game/
https://gameslol.mx/faq/mobile-legends-bang-bang/what-makes-mobile-legends-popular/