Just like that, a year has evaporated before our eyes. For those unaware, it’s been officially one year since the swap to online competition due to known reasons. Accordingly, the entire esports industry has had to respond and adapt to overcome this obstacle. Here at esportsguide we’re taking a step back and evaluating how our featured esports scenes are doing, specifically, at the current Esports Trends.
In order to do so, we’ve forged a criteria. Indeed, our featured esports will be split into certain categories depending on the State of the Community. This will consider the following criteria:
- Cancellation or postponement of events – how much of an effect did this have on the scene? Were online alternatives well organized? Major events have a major effect on the calendar year.
- Restructuring of leagues
- Overcoming potential cheating and online difficulties
- Frequency of the events
- Level of viewership
While I’ll try to elaborate where possible, we’re aiming for a concise approach. And with regards to context, we’ll be considering esports trends as of this month, March 2021.
Striving in the Online Environment
- League of Legends
- DOTA 2
- Call of Duty
- Rocket League
- PUBG and PUBG Mobile
To begin with, I think it’s safe to say that the esports scene that overcame the conditions the best has to be League of Legends. Pushing to pull off the incredible Worlds 2020 event in a LAN environment, despite any potential mishaps, was extremely courageous and outright successful too. Otherwise, competitive LoL is continuing as per normal, with the regions approaching the Spring Playoffs shortly.
Secondly, I’d have to rank Call of Duty after League of Legends. Indeed, the second season of the Call of Duty League is already reaping tonnes of success – increased viewership and heightened competition thanks to the organizers adapting to community feedback. Accordingly, online competition is being held appropriately, with the first Major taking place this week!
Over in DOTA 2, the story isn’t exactly the same. Last summer, many were considered over the cancellation of The International and the restructuring of the Dota Pro Circuit 2. However, with enough time, Valve has reorganized the community and things look to be back on track – the first major of the year by PGL arrives this month.
Grouping Rocket League, PUBG and PUBG Mobile together, I’ll happily say that these three scenes are also on track to keep up the pace and have looked despite the online difficulties. Specifically, PUBG Mobile continues on its quest to raise the ceiling for mobile esports following the success of the PMGC in January.
Looking to Rebound – Esports Trends 2021
- Overwatch
- CS:GO
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Fortnite
This is a tough category to create – one for esports that are currently struggling.
CS:GO stands out for me. Initially, things were going alright, acknowledging the difficulty of playing such a title online. However, things starting falling apart with the amalgamation of cheating scandal after cheating scandal – especially the endless coaches on the stand. Bearing this in mind, competitive integrity in the community has seriously suffered and with alternatives such as VALORANT, the scene isn’t at its best right now.
Moreover, competitive Overwatch is suffering from massive stagnation. With the longest post-season ever, with no action in several months at all, the season will be underway within the next two months. Beyond that, updates have been scarce for the title. Following a third season with record-low viewership, this upcoming season needs to compensate for what the community has gone through since March.
Like DOTA 2, Fortnite also suffered the loss of the main event of the year. Yet, in this regard it harmed Fortnite more as it was in a worse situation to begin with. Epic Games is struggling to keep the esport exciting and as we’ve discussed here on the site, we’re not too sure where this scene is going. However, the community is hopeful.
Finally, Rainbow Six Siege also falls in this category, unfortunately. Issues revolve around the cancelled Six Invitational for this year, the postponement of the Six World Cup and the merging of leagues due to lack of viewership for Canada.
Steadily Growing
- VALORANT
- Garena Free Fire
- Hearthstone
- StarCraft I & II
- Kings of Glory/Arena of Valor
- FIFA
This category is dedicated to esports that were already on the rise prior to the online transition and in this regard, the online switch didn’t do much to deter this process.
Specifically, VALORANT and Garena Free Fire, these prospective esports in their early days are steal hosting events and making leaps forward thanks to an eager community.
Otherwise, the remaining esports have either remained at their level without much reinvention, still enjoying a fairly active community.
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