A case study of the rampant growth in the eSports industry

Sep 7, 2015 13:28 GMT  ·  By

Ever since video games have featured competitive modes, dedicated players have wanted to show that they’re the best. As far as Romanians are concerned, and especially younger people eager to show their potential, the competitive gaming industry, eSports in particular, has proven to be a great destination for them and their friends.

While video games as eSports have proven to be hugely popular in the last few years, thanks to the advent of streaming platforms like Twitch and huge competitions, it’s important to remember that such tournaments have existed for quite some time.

The World Cyber Games, the Electronic Sports World Cup, and many other organizations like the Romanian team at PGL have provided passionate players with the means to prove their abilities not just for bragging rights but also for various awards through their competitions.

Many people can brag online when it comes to frags, kills, goals, and other virtual accomplishments, but very few have actually taken the next step by entering professional competitions. Many years ago, when ideas like Dota 2’s The International or League of Legends’ Champions Series were just bold projects, different internet cafés organized their own tournaments, mostly to get people inside their establishments.

Romania played a key role in the past

Even so, slowly but surely, the Romanian eSports scene has grown, thanks to talented players who are active even nowadays in certain titles, both as actual players and as organizers, casters, or managers.

Romania occupied an important role when it came to some franchises, such as FIFA, thanks to individual players, but also in the realms of Dota 1 or Counter-Strike 1.6, thanks to several notable teams. I’m sure a lot of local gamers but also those in other countries remember the name The Elder Gods, as the organization provided some of the most talented European players in those two games.

The present is more about creating an eSports community

Nowadays, things aren’t going that well, as the professional scene hasn’t proven the best to nurture the development of teams. Even so, a few individual players are still sought up by international organizations.

However, thanks to efforts like those from PGL, who organize Dreamhack tournaments under license in Bucharest and, starting this fall, in Cluj Napoca, the community around eSports is growing by leaps and bounds. The general public can enjoy a variety of the greatest teams and players when it comes to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, League of Legends, Hearthstone, or even Heroes of the Storm.

Arguably even more important is the presence of amateur tournaments, such as the High School Cup in League of Legends, which teaches younger players that they can not only put their video game skills to good use but that they can reach eSports rewards in their own country.

Romania’s growth proves the international appeal of eSports

Romania isn’t the only country in the world where eSports are growing by leaps of bounds. Poland in Europe, Malaysia in South East Asia, or even Brazil in Latin America are among the many territories that are starting to make a name through professional teams or through their community on a global stage.

They can’t compete, just yet, with behemoths like Korea, for StarCraft, Sweden, for Counter-Strike, or others like Russia, Germany, or the US, but large organizations shouldn’t underestimate them. Actual event planners should notice the success of local projects like Dreamhack Bucharest, while teams should do more to engage the communities in order to get loyal fans and even some potential players.

As further testimony of the Romanian scene’s growth, you can check out some of the official images from Dreamhack Bucharest 2015 in the gallery below as well as on the official Flickr account.

Dreamhack Bucharest 2015 (6 Images)

The main crowd at Dreamhack Bucharest 2015
Fans at Dreamhack Bucharest 2015The main hall at Dreamhack Bucharest 2015
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