Welcome to the world of eSports ...
The sport of the future? —
Welcome to the world of eSports ...
PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Though alien to many of us, competitive gaming is a worldwide phenomenon.
The sport of the future? —
Though alien to many of us, competitive gaming is a worldwide phenomenon.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
Top video-gamers are household names and many millions more tune in to watch bouts via online streaming network Twitch.
The sport of the future? —
Top video-gamers are household names and many millions more tune in to watch bouts via online streaming network Twitch.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
In Korea, a "PC Bang" -- where young gamers gather to play and "train" -- can be located on almost every block.
The sport of the future? —
In Korea, a "PC Bang" -- where young gamers gather to play and "train" -- can be located on almost every block.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
The 2015 "Call of Duty" European Championships were held at London's Royal Opera House.
The sport of the future? —
The 2015 "Call of Duty" European Championships were held at London's Royal Opera House.
Rob Stothard/Getty Images
Many fans dress up in outlandish costumes for eSports events. Some wear the replica shirts of their favorite team, just as in conventional sports. G2 Sports<em> </em>founder Carlos "ocelote" Rodriguez tells CNN: "Ten years from now, people will be wearing G2 eSports jerseys."
The sport of the future? —
Many fans dress up in outlandish costumes for eSports events. Some wear the replica shirts of their favorite team, just as in conventional sports. G2 Sports founder Carlos "ocelote" Rodriguez tells CNN: "Ten years from now, people will be wearing G2 eSports jerseys."
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
It's not just boys fueling eSports' inexorable rise. In the U.S., 28% of so-called "Esports enthusiasts" -- players who watch multiple times per month -- are female. Here, members of an all-female computer gaming team, "QWER," compete in the "Ladies Battle" League of Legends competition in Seoul in 2016.
The sport of the future? —
It's not just boys fueling eSports' inexorable rise. In the U.S., 28% of so-called "Esports enthusiasts" -- players who watch multiple times per month -- are female. Here, members of an all-female computer gaming team, "QWER," compete in the "Ladies Battle" League of Legends competition in Seoul in 2016.
ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images
Just over half of male enthusiasts are aged between 21-30 -- curiously enough, the ages a sportsman is at his peak. "When I was a kid, I wanted to be a professional footballer player, that was my big goal in life," pro gamer Olof "Olofmeister" Kajbjer tells CNN.<br />
The sport of the future? —
Just over half of male enthusiasts are aged between 21-30 -- curiously enough, the ages a sportsman is at his peak. "When I was a kid, I wanted to be a professional footballer player, that was my big goal in life," pro gamer Olof "Olofmeister" Kajbjer tells CNN.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
As computers become ever more prevalent, eSports becomes arguably the world's first intercontinental sport. A kid in the Maldives can initiate a game against a 40-year-old in the snow-capped Russian mountains in a matter of seconds.
The sport of the future? —
As computers become ever more prevalent, eSports becomes arguably the world's first intercontinental sport. A kid in the Maldives can initiate a game against a 40-year-old in the snow-capped Russian mountains in a matter of seconds.
Rob Stothard/Getty Images
And it's not just games like "Counterstrike," "Starcraft" and "League of Legends" that are taking off. In a curious twist, <a target="_blank" target="_blank">professional football teams</a> have begun signing pro FIFA gamers.
The sport of the future? —
And it's not just games like "Counterstrike," "Starcraft" and "League of Legends" that are taking off. In a curious twist, professional football teams have begun signing pro FIFA gamers.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Tickets often sell out in a matter of minutes for eSport events. The chants of the gathered crowds are not dissimilar to those heard in football stadiums.
The sport of the future? —
Tickets often sell out in a matter of minutes for eSport events. The chants of the gathered crowds are not dissimilar to those heard in football stadiums.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
But it's the online audience that's making the difference: this year's "League of Legends" championship drew nearly 30 million viewers, in line with the combined viewership of the 2014 MLB and NBA finals.
The sport of the future? —
But it's the online audience that's making the difference: this year's "League of Legends" championship drew nearly 30 million viewers, in line with the combined viewership of the 2014 MLB and NBA finals.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
"When you look at the state of the video games today and how much more processing power they have now compared to when I was playing video games, it really makes a massive difference," Formula E's ex-F1 driver Bruno Senna tells CNN.
The sport of the future? —
"When you look at the state of the video games today and how much more processing power they have now compared to when I was playing video games, it really makes a massive difference," Formula E's ex-F1 driver Bruno Senna tells CNN.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Above, eSports players compete in a 2007 Seoul tournament. Fast forward a decade and one U.S. college -- Robert Morris University -- even gives scholarships to video game players, forming the nation's first varsity eSports squad.
The sport of the future? —
Above, eSports players compete in a 2007 Seoul tournament. Fast forward a decade and one U.S. college -- Robert Morris University -- even gives scholarships to video game players, forming the nation's first varsity eSports squad.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
The game is changing. Are eSports here to stay? Have your say on<a target="_blank" target="_blank"> CNN Sport's Facebook page</a>.
The sport of the future? —
The game is changing. Are eSports here to stay? Have your say on CNN Sport's Facebook page.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images