Levelling up: A look into the growth and future of esports in Asia

Online gaming was once seen as a niche hobby, but with the rise of esports, it has become a global phenomenon. This growing industry has taken Asia by storm, boasting millions of passionate fans and players. And the growth of esports in the region is just getting started.

What exactly does the future hold for esports in the continent? Take a closer look into the popularity of esports in Asia and its growth potential.

Bet using crypto on esports here

How did esports start in Asia?

In countries like South Korea, PC cafes were a huge trend in the 1980s and 90s. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that the scene started to be recognised.

Major Asian esports groups and events began to form, attracting the attention of video game players. Soon, esports expanded to other parts of Asia. Leagues became more competitive, offering huge prize pools on well-known games like Dota 2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike.

Big companies started sponsoring local teams and tournaments. As esports success in Asia grew, more people supported esports matches online and in person.

Fast internet connection and mobile gaming also helped esports spread quickly in the continent. Today, Asia is one of the biggest regions for esports, with many of the top players, teams, and tournaments coming from countries like China, South Korea, and Japan.

What are the major esports markets in Asia?

Asia dominates the global esports scene, boasting the largest esports markets by revenue and viewership. Some of the major players that boosted the esports gaming industry in Asia include:

China

China is not only the biggest country in Asia but also has the largest player base, viewership, and investments in esports. The country was also an early adopter of esports, with pro leagues and teams forming in the 2000s. This allowed the esports market to develop and grow more rapidly than in other countries.

The Chinese government has actively supported the growth of esports, seeing it as an emerging industry with economic potential. This has encouraged major streaming platforms like Douyu and Huya to host and broadcast esports content, expanding esports’ reach.

South Korea

Aside from China, South Korea is another pioneer in the development of esports in the 2000s. This allowed the industry to take root and grow over time.

PC gaming has also been extremely popular in SK for decades. With a strong foundation of players and government support, a full ecosystem for pro gaming developed.

This includes established leagues, sponsorships, and even career paths in esports, attracting top talent and keeping S.Korea at the forefront of competitive gaming. Some well-known leagues and tournaments in the country include League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) and Valorant’s VCT Pacific League.

Japan

While esports isn’t as huge in Japan compared to major players like China and South Korea, the country has an average of 75.6 million video game players. Japan is also home to the world’s biggest console gaming companies like Bandai Namco and Nintendo.

This shaped the types of games and genres that have become esports trends. These include franchises like Street Fighter, Tekken, Super Smash Bros, and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) that have become major esports titles.

One of the reasons why esports isn’t as big in Japan is because its laws around gambling and copyright make it difficult to organise and broadcast esports events in the country. However, its established gaming culture and influence in the esports scene make Japan a growing esports market.

Southeast Asian countries

Southeast Asia boasts a massive and rapidly growing mobile gaming market, perfectly suited for popular esports titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. There's also a surge in investment in esports groups, tournaments, and streaming platforms across the region. This financial backing fuels esports future, allowing for higher production value and attracting top-tier talent.

Some of the biggest esports Southeast Asian countries include:

• The Philippines

• Thailand

• Indonesia

• Singapore

Popular esports games in Asia

From multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) to first-person shooters (FPS), many game titles became leading esports competitions across Asia. Some of the biggest ones include:

League of Legends

Since its release in 2009, Riot Games’ League of Legends (LoL) instantly became among the most popular esports in Asia. The League of Legends Pro League (LPL) in China is one of the prime examples of the game's appeal.

To prove its dominance, one of LP’s strong teams, BiliBili Gaming fought for their position as reigning champion in LoL’s 2024 Mid-Season Invitational finals. Although they lost, their thrilling performance proves LPL’s dedication to investing in its teams.

Dota 2

Valve’s Dota 2 is another well-known MOBA game that marked its place as one of the reigning kings in the industry. Its complex mechanics, emphasis on teamwork, and constant meta-game evolution have resonated with a large player base in Asia.

Dota 2 was launched as an esports medal event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in 2022. China’s powerhouse team, Xtreme Gaming (XG), continued their hot streak, securing the gold medal. This win further proves the country’s strong presence in the Dota 2 scene.

Valorant

Valorant's release in 2020 was warmly welcomed in Asia because of its unique blend of Counter-Strike-inspired mechanics and Overwatch-like character skills. Its gameplay quickly resonated with a wide range of FPS players, heightening the growth of esports in Asia.

Riot Games is introducing a brand new Valorant Premier division in the summer of 2024. This acts as a final level in the in-game ‘Path to Pro’ program, offering aspiring Asian and international players a chance to compete for a spot in the Challengers Leagues.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is designed for mobile platforms that has become one of the top esports titles in Asia. Developed by Moonton, a Chinese gaming company, MLBB has found its greatest success in Asia, especially in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The game's mobile-friendly format, easy-to-learn mechanics, and frequent content updates have resonated with a large player base across the region. Also, one of its most popular tournaments, the 2024 M4 World Championship held in Jakarta, Indonesia smashed viewership records.

The peak viewership of the semi-final match between Blacklist International (Philippines) and RRQ Hoshi (Indonesia) hit a staggering 4.26 million viewers. This makes it the third most-watched esports tournament ever.

Counter-Strike

Valve Corporation’s Counter-Strike is an iconic tactical FPS that has been a staple in the Asian esports scene. Despite the rise of newer competitive titles, Counter-Strike maintained a strong and loyal following across the continent.

This cements its position as one of Asia's most popular esports games. Perfect World, Counter-Strike’s operator, is hosting the first-ever Major championship in Asia in Shanghai, China in December 2024. This is expected to be a game-changer, boosting interest and renewing the Asian CS2 scene.

Bet on live events using crypto here

Factors driving esports growth in Asia

Asia is a hotbed for esports growth, and various key factors are fueling this trend such as:

• Rise of mobile gaming → Mobile gaming has become extremely popular across Asia, driven by the widespread adoption of smartphones and increased access to high-speed internet. Many of the most popular esports titles like MLBB are mobile-based, making them accessible to a vast audience.

• Strong gaming culture → Countries like South Korea, China, and Japan, have a deeply ingrained gaming culture. Competitive gaming in these countries has been embraced as a mainstream entertainment and fostered a large and passionate fanbase. Esports streaming in the region through various platforms like Twitch and YouTube is also on the rise.

• Investments → Due to esports’s appeal, it attracted major investments from tech companies, media groups, and venture capitalists in Asia. This allowed the development of pro leagues, team organisations, and tournament platforms.

• Growing viewership → One of the biggest factors that made esports popular in Asia is the growing viewership of major tournaments. This further attracts the attention of sponsors, media rights holders, and broadcasters, fueling the industry's expansion.

How can esports grow further in Asia?

With the growth of Asian esports, many are asking how will esports change in the future. Esports in Asia is already a powerhouse, especially with the inclusion of esports in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

While some countries have invested in esports infrastructure, creating more high-quality training facilities across Asia would nurture talent and boost its competitive scene. Esports content can also extend beyond just high-level tournaments. Documentaries and player profiles will help broaden and strengthen esports’ appeal.

Experience esports betting like no other at Sportsbet.io

Show your support for esports growth in Asia by betting on the players and teams competing in highly competitive tournaments at Sportsbet.io. Bet using Tether (USDT) or other crypto for fast and hassle-free transactions. You can also bet on the go with our mobile app and claim bonuses and promos for a head start.

Frequently Asked Questions about esports in Asia

Learn more about esports in Asia with these FAQs:

Why are Asians so good at video games?

One of the reasons why Asians are so good at video games is because there is a strong cultural emphasis on competition and excellence in many Asian societies.

Why Asia dominates esports?

Asian countries were early adopters of esports, providing massive support and investment in the industry. This allowed the ecosystem to develop rapidly.

Start your crypto esports betting journey here

DISCLAIMER

The information provided by the blog above on Sportsbet.io is for general information purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation, warranty, or guarantee of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, or completeness of any information or betting tips on the Site.