We live in a digitized world when modern technologies are deeply integrated into all aspects of our life. Now the Internet facilitates many processes such as commerce, education, medicine, business, and sports is not an exception. There exist many kinds of sports, and modern technologies will not replace them but add another activity – eSports. People play video games, create their teams, and compete with each other in tournaments to gain recognition and awards. Gamers devote all their time to their favorite occupation, and eSports is both their hobby and work. Those who are not into gaming find eSports competitions enthralling.
Table of Contents
Content Summary
Why is eSports so Popular?
eSports and Data Analytics Connections
Improvement of Live Streamings
Streams Monetization
Tactics Analysis
Betting Industry
The Future of Data Analytics in eSports
Conclusion
eSports’ digital nature involves the application of such cutting-edge technologies as data analytics, artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing, machine learning, and APIs. In 2021, the global eSports market was valued at over $1.08 billion, which is an almost 50% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the eSports industry’s global market revenue was forecast to grow to as much as $1.62 billion in 2024. Thus, the gaming industry and, in particular, eSports is a profitable and promising industry that’s why data analytics plays a crucial role in its successful operation. In this article, you’ll find how data analytics influences eSports and what is its future.
Why is eSports so Popular?
Every person has probably heard of one of these games like Minecraft, Dota, Counter-Strike, Sea of Thieves, League of Legends, etc. They are known as MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online games), and they attract millions of gamers worldwide. It is reported that in 2016 there were 40 million active users generating $165 million in profit. In 2020 Minecraft revenue amounted to over $420 million with 131 million monthly active users. These stats illustrate esports’ high demand in the market.
Dedicated gamers hold eSports competitions annually worldwide. Many of them are broadcasted, but some are available to the public with the help of a screen recorder. The global eSports market has risen dramatically from $865 million in 2018 to $1566 million in 2021, and the revenue is expected to grow every year. eSports audience increases exponentially, and experts predict 347 million occasional viewers and 297 million enthusiasts in 2022.
Gamers feel like sportsmen competing in great tournaments with millions of viewers and mind-boggling prizes. They also need to train hard before the competition and show everything they can to win the game. They are sitting in front of the computer screen but experience the same emotions and excitement as sportsmen. People are crazy about eSports because:
- It’s as thrilling as any other sports;
- Games are accessible, and any person can become a participant or active viewer;
- There is a vast majority of gaming options;
- Video games have high quality;
- They give the possibility to socialize and interact with like-minded people from all corners of the world.
eSports and Data Analytics Connections
eSports uses data analytics to estimate current performance and define ways to improve future results. Traditional sports rely on data analytics for boosting player and team performance, strategic planning, and past game analysis. eSports participants and stakeholders use data analytics for gameplay optimization and modernization that can ensure victory. AI-assisted data analytics is used for the examination of recorded matches when the data is thoroughly gathered and sorted. Generally speaking, data analytics in eSports is kind of an intersection between the world of gaming and software development. Data analytics is categorized into four types:
- Descriptive: this data type allows to analyze live data and provide its effective visualization.
- Diagnostic: it enables us to get the reason for what’s happening by isolating unnecessary and confusing information.
- Predictive: This type makes people predict possible outcomes with the help of algorithms and technology.
- Prescriptive: using this type, we can take relevant actions, applying advanced analytical techniques.
Let’s explore how data analytics is applied in the eSports industry!
Improvement of Live Streamings
Data-based content creation is a key tool for eSports streaming companies. The platforms with clear graphics representing the data make it more attractive to users and improve their experience. Special tools allow extracting raw data converting it into visually aesthetic graphs making the complex data perfectly grouped and categorized. Raw gameplay data may be streamed directly to the user’s PC, allowing them to enhance the viewing experience by interacting. It’s possible to perform many actions like changing camera angles, interacting with virtual objects, going back in time, and even more. Thus, data analytics is an indispensable tool for making live streams more enthralling.
Streams Monetization
Brand sponsorships are the main source of eSports revenue. AI-driven data analytics may be leveraged by streaming companies to improve the quality of their products. Using different insights and reports on a stream’s performance data, the chances are high that more sponsors will channel their funds into the streaming company. Many of these companies use advanced technologies to impact the viewers, for example, speech recognition, chat monitoring, video frames, streams of audio. The data obtained from user engagement allows sponsors to evaluate the current situation and decide whether to finance the project.
Tactics Analysis
Data analytics is extremely important in eSports, as it helps to understand the tactics and strategies used by a competitor and win the game with the help of the extracted information. Thus, you can analyze performance, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, that in general make a huge impact on your success. Viewers can understand each team’s tactics with data analytics. Advanced analytic results such as spatial data processing, streaming analytics, predictive analytics, graph data processing, text analytics help to better strategize and improve performance and skills.
Betting Industry
There are many countries where eSports betting is legalized and operates under governmental regulations. With data analytics, gamblers have the possibility to have a clear understanding of gameplay trends. They can decide what will be the best time and place to place their bets. Every betting company needs to have the analysis of eSports data to avoid any risks and make money.
The Future of Data Analytics in eSports
There are plenty of ways of data applications in eSports, but we should mention defining optimal ways to manage in-game resources and money. It will be crucial for dealing with regular patch updates and game changes.
Data analytics is expected to evolve over time, and by the end of 2024, 75% of organizations will move to fully operationalize big data strategies. It means a dramatic increase of streaming data and analytics infrastructures by an estimated 500%.
Application program interfaces (APIs) are used to connect devices and data that facilitate gamers’ interaction. With cloud technologies, APIs make communication between players and fans more engaging. In the future, every market segment will need data analytics as it enables effective operation, audience, and client engagement, making the whole business successful and profitable.
Conclusion
Now you can see that data analytics is crucial for the eSports industry that rapidly develops and gains popularity worldwide. Data analytics helps players and teams enhance tactics and performance, increase revenues, and augment audiences, third-party partners, and transactions. It may seem complex and unnecessary, but it is an indispensable tool for your success if used properly. Resort to the help of specialists to avoid unpredicted outcomes and make your way into the thrilling world of gameplay.