Can ANY Game Be Esports?

Some games defy what we assume would make a good esports title. While many games are crafted with competition in mind, others have adopted a lively esports audience all their own in surprising ways.

What do you think of when you read the word "esports?" Most likely, you imagine a row of young men in matching team jerseys on stage, playing a highly competitive shooter like Call of Duty or MOBA like League of Legends with massive prize pools on the line.

You're not wrong.

But in our experience as esports tournament organizers, we've found that just about any game can become an "esport" as long as it has the following:

• Gameplay that is fun and challenging
• Gameplay that is entertaining to watch - skilled players in tricky situations and custom challenges
• A large enough player base to attract competitors
• A large enough audience to watch a tournament

Now throw in a prize worth fighting for and you've got yourself an event!

Esports Titles You Might Not Expect

Minecraft

Mojang's classic, open-world building and exploration game took on a life of its own with audiences the moment it was released in beta. Now a mega-hit published by Microsoft, the game continues to resonate with a variety of age groups and content creators.

BoomTV recently partnered with Microsoft to host the $30,000 Game Pass Has PC Games Invitational featuring Minecraft. An elaborate "escape room" was constructed, filled with intricate puzzles that had to be solved before moving on to the next challenge. The first team to complete the test won the grand prize. Throughout, we offered additional cash prizes for mini-challenges like "who can do the best impression of a Villager."

Thanks to a partnership with UrAverageConsumer, one player took home a custom, Minecraft-themed gaming PC for pulling off the "craftiest moment." After the competition, we opened the escape room to the public for a three-day community event - filling it with hidden Game Pass codes.

Farming Simulator

Farming Simulator has a thriving esports community, with teams sponsored by real-life farming equipment companies. John Deere, Krone, Hormann, Pottinger, and others have teams competing in the Farming Simulator League. In addition, top machinery manufacturers have their equipment featured in the game, similar to how car companies partner with Rocket League.

The object of the game is to plant and gather resources and invest in equipment to increase profits. To make things interesting, players must all work together on a specific task like bailing hay. It requires timing and communication to pull off successfully.

Osu!

Dean "peppy" Herbert's free-to-play rhythm game has grown into a global phenomenon, complete with mobile ports and even its own World Cup. The prize pools are modest ($150 per team member in 1st place) but that doesn't stop loyal players and community members from banding together to organize esports tournaments.

The most recent Osu!mania 7K World Cup took place last month, with the South Korean team rising victorious.

Why Not?

For brands, gamers can seem like a tough nut to crack. They often say they want one thing, but do another. It all comes down to entertainment. If you have an idea for an esports competition - even if it's outside the box - BoomTV can make any game event fun!

By?H.B. Duran

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BoomTV?partners with top developers, influencers, and brands to create unforgettable, life-changing experiences through the power of esports.?If you'd like to reach audiences in creative, meaningful ways, contact Stev Lawson: [email protected].