The video game industry and esports sector have both undergone extensive developments in recent years. With the rapid advancement in hardware capabilities and streaming technology, esports is no longer the reserve of video game enthusiasts. Although streaming platforms continue to contribute to the rapid rise in esports popularity, the advent of mobile esports also been reshaping the landscape considerably. Below, we discuss some of the biggest trends to watch out for in the esports sector this year and beyond. 

The Rise of Competitive Console Gaming 

Although console gaming has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the esports sector, it has struggled to match the dominance of PC gaming. This looks set to change with the introduction of next-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. These cutting-edge consoles tower over previous hardware from the tech giants, with unrivaled graphical performance and a far more seamless approach to hardware upgrades. Don’t be too surprised to see PlayStation 5 become the standard for esports console gaming in the next couple of years. Sony’s new console dominated sales in 2020 and consumer appetite for this console still remains high.

Esports Embraces Augmented Reality 

Augmented reality is by no means a new thing, but technology has been developing at a rapid pace in recent years. As the esports sector continues to grow, augmented reality and VR technology are likely to become more ubiquitous. Sales of VR hardware and software continue to soar, with the introduction of the next generation of consoles making it far more affordable for everyday gamers to access first-rate augmented reality experiences. Even if tournament competitions don’t embrace VR technology as a staple of competitive play, augmented reality is likely to become synonymous with everyday gaming. After all, every player has an avatar, and personalizing these avatars through augmented reality will improve the way gamers can communicate with each other as they play. 

A Move to Mobile 

Mobile games have soared in popularity in recent years, with mobile titles becoming a staple of esports competitions in Asia. Currently, the biggest games that fall into this bracket are simply ported versions of regular titles, such as PUBG Mobile. However, with high-end mobile devices becoming far more affordable and accessible, developers are taking note and producing titles exclusively for the mobile market. Don’t be surprised to see mobile games penetrate the esports sector in the years to come, with significant revenues projected by 2025. The success of PUBG Mobile is just a taste of things to come. You only need to glance at platforms like 1337PRO to see there is a healthy appetite for mobile esports. 

Another boost to mobile esports will be the continued roll-out of 5G networks. Although 5G mobile networks are currently accessible to some, they are unlikely to become mainstream until 2022 at the earliest. Once 5G becomes the standard, esports can capitalize on this technology. Ready access to 5G will allow mobile users to enjoy fast download speeds and superior streaming capability. All this is essential when it comes to playing cooperative games. Once the 5G roll-out has been completed, expect to see more conventional esports titles being released for the mobile market. 

Increased Audiences and Engagement 

With console sales continuing to soar and more people turning to mobile platforms to engage with esports, overall esports viewership is anticipated to rise considerably. In fact, the global esports audience is expected to total almost 580 million by 2024. This increased viewership will also lead to more diverse demographics. It’s almost certain that more female users will be joining the fray as mobile esports becomes more the standard, while the accessibility of mobile devices will also bring more young adults into the ranks of regular esports players. This diversification of demographics will undoubtedly have a direct impact on representation among professional teams and leagues.