Super Mario changed the world of entertainment as we know it with a hop and a skip. Nintendo’s iconic plumber brought about a new era of gaming and continues to thrill and excite audiences to this day. Mario may be one of the most recognizable video game characters of all time. But in this new age of gaming even he has some steep competition.
We live in what can only be described as the Golden Age of gaming. Video games look better than ever. New technology enables developers to create smooth and simple controls that boost the gameplay to a whole new level. Even independent creators have an easier time creating top-quality games. It is no surprise that eSports has attained new heights.
The Growing Success of eSports
Competition has always been a core of gaming. Arcade games were known to have an analog multiplayer option which often allowed players to go toe-to-toe in skill and strategy. Fighting games were especially built on this sense of competition. That is why it shouldn’t come as a shock that the eSports movement as we know it today spawned from Street Fighters II. But what was once a grassroots movement growing in local communities became an international event that is broadcast worldwide.
The professional gaming scene today is not unlike the sports industry. Players get special training and dedicate their lives to a game of their choice. It would not be a disservice to call these people athletes. There are high-skill online events, from eSports leagues to global poker tournaments that require the participants to be truly invested in the game that they’ve chosen. The amount of time they put into improving their skills is truly a wonder to behold. Yet the professional gaming circuit has still not reached its height.
Expert broadcasters and gaming enthusiasts predict that eSports is only going to get more popular in the future. Innovative approaches to gaming are likely to boost people’s interest in gaming. Video games are expected to go mainstream. Naturally an interest in eSports will grow. We might see a future where sports bars host watch parties for the latest Counter-Strike 2 event or where fans of League of Legends get just as passionate about certain teams as soccer fans do.
A Record-Breaking Year
The eSports World Cup is one of the most recognizable events in the competitive gaming circuit. All the more impressive that it is only a recent event. The 2025 iteration of the EWC was only the second edition of the tournament. It took place in Saudi Arabia and managed to break new ground in the gaming industry. The event’s prize pool was a record-breaking $70 million, establishing eSports as a legitimate market that fans and bettors ought to keep their eyes on.
The event managed to bring together 2000 players across 25 teams. The incredible pros went head to head in over twenty of the world’s most popular games. Standout titles included Apex Legends and Counter-Strike. Some may be surprised to learn that even chess had a spot in the second edition of the EWC. Excitement could be felt throughout the streets of Riyadh and gamers from all over the world tuned in to watch their favorite teams face off.
The excitement is not just reserved for the eSports World Cup. The FC Pro 25 World Championship also took place this summer in Saudi Arabia. EA’s standout soccer series is returning in 2026 with a new installment. Gamers are looking forward to the new features which the company has announced. The World Championship was a perfect time to celebrate the past title in the annual series.
What to Look Forward to in eSports
We must look towards the future if we are to have a successful competitive gaming scene. That means discussing the events to come. That is why we are happy to report that the EMEA Masters Summer 2025 is going to be broadcast online this September. League of Legends fans can tune in on their PCs or smartphones and watch the best players in the world clash in a hardcore display of skill and strategy. We don’t need to explain how popular the MOBA franchise is. The release of Arcade further boosted LOL’s popularity and brought new fans to the series.
Halo Studios certainly expected that same kind of boost from the live action television show from 2022. Unfortunately, the fans did not connect with that series as deeply as League fans did with arcade. The production was largely criticized for its departure from the lore that made Halo such a unique franchise. But the game’s success endures regardless. Fans are thrilled for both the Halo Championship Series 2025: FaZe Major tournament in September and the Halo World Championship in October. Though a location has not been announced for the former we know that the latter will take place in the United States.
The success of Marvel Rivals proves that fans are not growing tired of super heroes or MOBA games. Already there are eSports events centered on the hero-based battle royale. The Marvel Rivals Ignite grand finals are set to take place in November of this year. A lot of gamers are excited to see who is going to make it to the top.
