eSports growth stats are out of this world

The eSports sector has progressed tremendously in terms of both viewership and income over the years. The widening audience has primarily led to revenue increases — and not simply because those watchers generate income but because corporations are investing in eSports marketing, both directly and indirectly, since they see the possibility of reaching a vast and engaged audience. This has led to the industry’s rapid financial development and eSports growth, which has only been hindered by COVID 19’s restrictions on major public eSports events.

Global investors, companies, and media sources are all paying heed as competitive gaming video content continues to blend into mainstream culture. Customers are feeling the same way. As per the forecasts, there will be 30 million monthly viewers in 2022, up 11.5 percent from 2021.

eSports has also blossomed in various other areas, many of which are interconnected in some manner. Let’s take a look at the stats and how the eSports sector is evolving, and what the future could hold for this industry.

With growth comes monetization

The popularization of the esports industry has aided in the explosive growth of esports investment and income. The social component of live broadcasting, advertisements, and gameplay has helped propel esports into the stratosphere. Twitch and YouTube Gaming with ads, for example, provide fans with a first-hand connection to the teams and players, while more popular social media sites have allowed those ties to blossom. Certain esports groups, like FaZe Clan, are also vigorously expanding into areas such as advertisements and merchandising, offering their brands greater popularity than if they had stayed only focused on esports.

As a result, the industry has witnessed a significant increase in investment and revenue from venture capitalists and, more frequently, private equity companies. According to Deloitte, the percentage of investments in esports more than quadrupled in 2018, rising from 34 in 2017 to 68 in 2018. This is reflected in the total amount invested: According to Deloitte, investments increased by 837 percent year on year in 2018 to $4.5 billion from $490 million the previous year. These investments are allocated to ecosystem stakeholders ranging from esports organizations to event administrators to digital broadcasters, enabling the ecosystem to function and expand.

Getting immersed in the market

New technology, more competitive gaming video environments and devices, an influx of new players, and the advent of ad-supported free-to-play MMOs have all contributed to in-game advertising being the favored revenue strategy for many game creators. In-game advertising enables brands and marketers to send dynamically customized ads into video games that complement the esports experience, opening up this internationally diversified audience to marketers of all sizes, regardless of ad budget.

Esports provides a platform for marketers to reach out to hybrid audiences of people from all backgrounds, ages, genders, and places. The wonderful thing about esports fans is that they come from all walks of life and every portion of the world.

Another benefit is that marketers may fulfill their greatest advertising fantasies in esports settings. Have you ever imagined your company’s logo splashed over a sports stadium, the back of a Lamborghini, or your favorite player’s uniform? Esports allows businesses to do so for a fraction of the expense of doing so in the real world, while the audience stays as engaged and massive.

In-game advertising in esports also provides sponsors with critical user data, segmentation, consumer closeness, immersive media platforms and experiences, and clear insight into their return on investment.

With this ecosystem aggressively expanding and adapting at a rapid rate year after year, and new fans popping up worldwide, advertisers must establish an esports strategy to remain relevant for coming generations of valued and deeply engaged customers.