The rise of esports took the world of video gaming by storm, transforming what was once a niche pastime into a global sensation. In fact, esports is now considered a legit sport in many quarters, rivaling many professional ones with a massive fanbase. Professional esports players today compete against each other in global tournaments while being broadcast to millions of audiences. These events even attract massive betting action, offering punters opportunities beyond the regular mainstream wagering markets. You can click here to wager on your favorite esports competitions or other betting options.
Like traditional sports, esports come in different forms known as genres, each with unique gameplay, mechanics, and strategies. These genres have evolved over the years, shaping the competitive video gaming landscape today. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular ones. Let’s dive right in!
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
The Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) is one of the most popular genres in the world of competitive gaming today. Some consider it a subset of the broader real-time strategy (RTS) genre. The MOBA gameplay typically pits two teams of five players (in most cases) against each other to battle it out on a predefined battlefield map. Each player controls a single character (typically referred to as champion or hero) with unique abilities that can improve and level up as the game progresses.
The main aim of gameplay in MOBA titles is for a team to work together and destroy the opposing team’s base while defending their own. While there may be differences in the actual MOBA games, the gameplay remains similar. Notably, the genre emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and real-time decision-making.
Some of the most popular MOBA genre esports games include:
- DOTA2
- League of Legends
- Arena of Valor
First Person Shooter
The first-person shooter (FPS) is another popular genre in the competitive video gaming world. This genre puts you right in the middle of the action by presenting a first-person point of view. The gameplay is often fast-paced and involves teams and players carrying firearms and all sorts of weapons. While it may differ from one FPS title to the other, the objective of these games often revolves around a firefight across a map to gain as many kills as possible. The purpose can also be to achieve some form of objective. Furthermore, the gameplay can be large-team-based or individual free-for-all.
Some of the most popular FPS titles in esports competitive gaming include:
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO)
- Valorant
- Call of Duty
Real-Time Strategy
The real-time strategy (RTS) genre has been a staple in video gaming for many years and has only gotten more popular with the emergence of esports. RTS games typically involve a lot of tactics and strategy as players are often required to gather resources, construct bases, and build armies, and command them in battles. The goal of the gameplay here is to outmaneuver the opposition’s armies and gain dominance over the map area. All competing players in RTS perform these actions in real-time.
RTS games require strategy planning, quick decision-making, multitasking, proper resource management, and adapting to ever-changing situations. Some of the most popular games in the RTS genre include:
- Starcraft II
- Age of Empire 4
- Warcraft
Battle Royale
Battle Royale is one of the most sought-after genres in video gaming, including esports. The main objective of games in this genre typically revolves around survival while killing and looting as many players as possible. During the gameplay, many players are dropped onto a map where they must scavenge for resources and weapons while fighting to stay alive and eliminate opponents along the way.
A notable feature in the gameplay is that the map shrinks and gets smaller as time passes. This usually forces encounters between players, resulting in intense battles until only one man is standing.
Some of the most popular options in the Battle Royale esports scene include:
- PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds)
- Fortnite
- Apex Legends
Fighting
The fighting genre is one of the classic variants of video games that have been on the scene since the beginning. In this genre, you will typically find a 1v1 fast-paced combat action where players compete against each other using specific characters. Depending on the particular game and chosen character, players can use kicks, punches, and special skills to reduce the opponent’s health bar and defeat them. However, there are some titles where you just have to kick the opponent off the stage to beat them.
Some of the most popular esports games in the fighting genre include:
- Street Fighter
- Morta Combat
- Tekken
Closing Thoughts
Esports has evolved significantly over the years, spanning different genres, from multiplayer online battle arenas to first-person shooters and real-time strategy. Each genre typically offers a unique blend of gameplay and competitive experience to players of varying preferences and play styles.
However, it is noteworthy that developers are not restricted to the set styles. So, as competitive gaming continues to evolve, we expect to see more exciting genres.