What is Esports?
Esports, short for “electronic sports,” refers to the world of competitive video gaming.
Unlike the casual gaming experience you might have playing a game with friends, esports is a full-fledged industry, complete with professional players, organized teams, and even live broadcasts of gaming events.
According to Newzoo’s Global Esports Market Report, the esports market generated $1.38 billion in revenue by the end of 2022, showcasing its rapid growth in popularity and mainstream acceptance.
Esports spans a variety of video game genres. Here’s a brief look at some examples. We’ll get more into the specifics later:
- First-Person Shooters (FPS): Games like “Counter-Strike” and “Overwatch”
- Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA): Think “League of Legends” or “Dota 2”
- Real-Time Strategy (RTS): Games such as “StarCraft”
- Sports Simulation: Titles like “FIFA” and “NBA 2K”
- Battle Royale: Games including “Fortnite” and “PUBG”
With a handle on what esports is, let’s delve into its fantasy counterpart.
What is Fantasy Esports?
Fantasy esports takes the concept of traditional fantasy sports and applies it to the competitive gaming world.
Basically, you act as a team manager, drafting a roster of professional esports players and earning points based on their real-world performances in matches and tournaments.
Just like in fantasy football or baseball, your success hinges on your skill and ability to predict which players will perform well in upcoming games.
Platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel have even introduced dedicated sections for fantasy esports, allowing fans to participate in daily or season-long leagues.
The games you can draft for fantasy leagues are as diverse as the esports world itself, ranging from League of Legends to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
What is the Difference Between Fantasy Esports and Fantasy Sports?
While the core mechanics of fantasy esports and traditional fantasy sports are similar, there are some key differences that set them apart. For starters, the metrics used to score players can be vastly different.
In traditional fantasy sports like football, you might earn points for touchdowns, field goals, or yards gained. In contrast, fantasy esports metrics can include in-game actions like kills, assists, and objectives completed.
Another distinction lies in the frequency of actual games, and tournaments. Traditional sports have seasons, often lasting several months, with games occurring weekly.
Esports, on the other hand, can have multiple tournaments and matches in a single week, offering a faster-paced experience for fantasy participants.
Here’s a quick rundown of some differences:
- Scoring Metrics: Traditional sports focus on physical achievements, while esports metrics are often tied to in-game actions.
- Game Frequency: Esports often has a higher frequency of matches, allowing for more dynamic fantasy play.
- Player Knowledge: Esports may require specialized knowledge of games, characters, and meta-strategies, unlike traditional sports where general sports knowledge often suffices.
Popular Esports Fantasy Games
The world of fantasy esports leagues is expanding, offering fans a new avenue to connect with their favorite games and players.
While the concept of fantasy leagues has been around in traditional sports for some time, its esports counterpart is a newer phenomenon that’s quickly gaining traction.
So, which games are currently the most popular? Let’s take a closer look.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends, developed by Respawn Entertainment, has become a sensation in the battle royale genre. The game is set in the Titanfall universe and features a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities.
The game has its own series of tournaments, known as the Apex Legends Global Series, which offer substantial prize money. The game’s unique characters and abilities make it a compelling choice for fantasy esports enthusiasts.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
The Call of Duty series has been a mainstay in the esports community for years. The latest version, Warzone 2.0, is an updated sequel that launched alongside Modern Warfare II.
This new version introduces a fresh map and game mode, making it the go-to choice for top-tier players in high-stakes competitions.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is a cornerstone in the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) world. The game is renowned for its complex gameplay but offers enormous financial rewards in its annual Dota 2 International tournaments and there’s tons of Dota gambling sites to participate in as well.
With a roster of over 100 playable Heroes, the game provides a diverse landscape for fantasy esports.
League of Legends (LoL)
League of Legends stands out as the most popular game for fantasy esports. Various competitions, including LoL Allstars, LoL LCK, LEC LoL, and LoL LCS, offer fantasy gaming options. Platforms like DraftKings even offer cash prizes for LoL fantasy gaming. And you can take part in League of Legends betting on other sites as well.
CS:GO
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has been a staple in the esports community for quite some time. It’s one of the few games available for fantasy gaming on platforms like DraftKings.
In this game, players earn points for kills and assists but are penalized for deaths. You play through several CSGO rounds before a winner is declared.
Now that we’ve explored some of the standout games in the fantasy esports world, let’s pivot and delve into the events that make all this excitement possible.
Top Fantasy Esports Events
Fantasy esports events serve as the battlegrounds where your hand picked fantasy teams can vie for glory. These events often parallel actual esports tournaments, doubling the thrill.
Here are some top-tier fantasy esports events to keep on your radar.
Apex Legends Global Series
This is Apex Legends’ official tournament series, complete with hefty prize pools. It’s a must-participate event for fans of the game.
Dota 2 International
The Dota 2 International is a high-stakes affair, often featuring prize pools that reach into the tens of millions. It’s a magnet for the world’s best Dota 2 players.
LoL Championships
Various League of Legends championships, such as the LoL Allstars, LoL LCK, and LEC LoL, offer fantasy esports options. These events represent the zenith of LoL competitive play and the esports industry and are ripe with opportunities for fantasy gaming. For instance, the League of Legends World Championship just took place in October, where 22 teams competed in total.
CS:GO Majors
These are the crown jewels in the CS:GO competitive calendar, featuring top-tier teams and substantial prize money. The CSGO Majors are a prime venue for fantasy esports gaming.
Call of Duty Championships
These yearly events mark the climax of the competitive Call of Duty season. With fresh iterations like Warzone 2.0, these championships are becoming increasingly appealing for fantasy esports.
How to Play Fantasy Esports: Quick Start Guide
So, you’re pumped about fantasy esports and can’t wait to dive in, huh? Well, you’re in the right place. This quick start guide will help you begin playing fantasy esports in no time.
Step 1: Choose Your Platform
First things first, you’ll need to pick a platform to play on. DraftKings is a popular choice and one of the pioneers in the fantasy sports scene in the U.S.
They offer a wide variety of esports contests, including Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) which focuses on a single competitive weekend or session.
Other platforms like Twire Fantasy and DraftBuff also offer daily fantasy esports and options, so you’ve got choices.
Step 2: Create an Account
Once you’ve chosen your platform, you’ll need to create an account. This usually involves providing an email address, creating a username, and setting a password.
Some platforms may also offer promotional bonuses when you sign up, so keep an eye out for those.
Step 3: Understand the Game Types
Different platforms offer various types of fantasy esports games. For example, DraftKings offers DFS esports competitions, which are short-term games that focus on a single event or weekend.
Understanding the types of games available will help you decide which ones you’d like to participate in.
Step 4: Draft Your Team
This is where the real fun begins. You’ll need to draft a team of players from the available pool. The key here is to balance your team with both star players and underrated talents who could surprise everyone.
Platforms like DraftKings even offer drafting for specific games like League of Legends, CS:GO, and Dota 2.
Step 5: Enter a Contest
After drafting your team, it’s time to put them to the test. Enter a contest that fits your interests and budget. Some contests are free to enter, while others require a buy-in. Choose wisely!
Step 6: Track Your Progress
Once the contest starts, you can track your team’s performance in real time. Points are usually awarded for various in-game actions like kills, assists, and objectives completed. The aim is to accumulate as many points as possible to climb the leaderboard.
Step 7: Claim Your Winnings
If your team performs well and you find yourself at the top of the leaderboard, congratulations! You’ll be eligible for cash prizes or other rewards, depending on the platform and the specific contest you entered.
Getting Started with Fantasy Esports Betting
You’re now well-equipped to dive into the world of fantasy esports. But what if you’re also curious about esports betting or even casino games? Well, you’re in luck. CSGO500 is a fantastic platform where you can not only engage in fantasy esports and CSGO betting but also try your hand at casino games. Plus, they roll out the red carpet for newcomers with a welcome bonus of 100% up to $1000 and toss in 50 free skins to boot.
If live casino games are more your speed, Rollbit has got you covered. They offer live games like CSGO roulette and slots that’ll give you that real life casino feel right from the comfort of your home. And to sweeten the deal, they offer free coins as a welcome bonus.
So whether it’s daily fantasy games, esports, esports betting, or casino games, there’s a world of excitement waiting for you. Enjoy!
