eSports

20 years of HyperX: How Has the Gaming Industry Changed?

Published

3 years ago

October 27, 2022

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Paul Leaman, Vice President EMEA, HyperX provides some insight into just how much the gaming industry has changed in the last 20 years.

Over the last 20 years the gaming industry has changed and grown exponentially. By 2026 it is expected to be worth $321 billion. Besides this financial growth, we’ve seen huge strides in the visual aspect: video games from 8-bit graphics to almost lifelike characters and the introduction of VR. But it isn’t just the look and feel of games that has changed over the last 20 years. The technology we use to game, how we consume our games and who games, have all evolved in ways that few could have predicted in 2002. Here’s a look at some of the most fascinating developments in the gaming industry and what has led us to where we are today.

Evolving tech – the rise of wireless

Rewind 20 years and the PS2 and Xbox were still relatively new consoles to the market, having both launched within two years prior. For those who are not familiar with them, what they will probably find most surprising by today’s standards is that they came with wired controllers. Fast-forward a mere six years and we truly saw the beginning of a new wave of gaming technology – the rise of wireless. Xbox, PS3 and Nintendo Wii, all came with wireless controllers as standard and it would be the start of the modernisation of how people gamed. Wireless became the norm rather than the exception for controllers, headsets, mice, keyboards and chargers. As the technology continues to expand, more users are upgrading to wireless gaming hardware. The wireless gaming headset market alone, is expected to grow by 996.69 million USD during 2020-2024.

For a long time, wired connections led the way for enthusiast gamers. Having a more reliable, stable, physical connection would give you the least amount of lag or delay. However, significant research and development in the modern space has meant this is no longer the case. The ability to deliver to near-zero latency connectivity in wireless hardware has paved the way for its rise. Another important determining factor for gamers switching to wireless is due to aesthetics. Gamers can now create clean and tidy gaming set-ups that seamlessly fit into the design of their room.

Wireless headsets are becoming one of the most popular wireless gaming technologies. They offer freedom to gamers, with no cables to get tangled up in and the ability to move and talk freely. In today’s market most wireless gaming headsets have been designed so gamers spend less time charging and more time gaming in complete comfort with ergonomic designs. The biggest question mark has always been battery life and battery life degradation. However, this year we saw the first headset with up to 300 hours battery life and now gamers even have the option of in-ear buds, perfect for gaming on the move. Which begs the question, what will be possible next?

Gaming as a force for good 

As the passion for gaming continues to grow around the world, it is no longer just seen as a hobby, but a thriving industry that is showing no signs of slowing down. Over 439 million people around the world tuned into esports events in 2020. This is a huge development from 2002 when competitive gaming was still very much in its infancy. While there is still a long way to go for gaming to be more inclusive, there have been huge strides taken in the last 20 years.

There is a long way to go to make gaming more inclusive for women and as it should be. However, over the last 20 years the industry has massively changed. There are now dedicated communities for women gamers, such as Sugar Gamers, r/GirlGamers and Women in Games International. These offer female gamers a greater voice and a safer space to make friends, share their experiences and learn more about the industry. We also have more female gaming ambassadors, that are improving women’s representation in games and communities specifically for female gamers. These play their part in facilitating a healthier environment and help pave the way to a brighter future for gaming.

Gaming is a great force for connecting different people, regardless of race, sexuality and gender. Gamers and the gaming industry is misunderstood by many, with typical stereotypes wildly outdated. In reality, the gaming community is over two billion globally and is very diverse and inclusive. For example, in the US alone, 65% of women between the ages of 10 and 65 play mobile games and research shows that 86% of UK parents game. If we think about COVID-19 and the global shutdown that ensued, gaming provided people with a way to stay connected virtually, even when they were physically isolated. Our research also showed that 50% of parents in the UK felt gaming improved their child’s mental health during lockdown and 52% felt their child coped better in lockdown because of gaming. And while we all need to stay on top of our screen time, gaming has a lot of benefits and can teach people values and skills. Multiplayer games foster teamwork and communication, gaming communities nurture belonging, and games can provide people a useful escape in troubling times. It is different for each person but ultimately, gaming has the power to be a force for good.

Online gaming

In the last 20 years, the world of online gaming has burst onto the scene and grown at a mindboggling rate. Since 2007, the online gaming market has continued to grow at a significant rate, with an annual growth rate of over 20% over the last five years. In the last 20 years, esports has gone from a vibrant niche to a central form of entertainment across the globe. Over 439 million people around the world tuned into esports events in 2020 and research from Nielsen found that 82% of global consumers played video games or watched video game content during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This meteoric rise has led to the opening of arenas such as the HyperX Esports Arena in Las Vegas. A multilevel arena designed to host every form of competitive gaming, the size and standard of the arena is one which historically was associated with traditional professional sports teams. Gaming is no longer just something people do in their spare time at home, it has place in a 30,000 square foot arena. We’re also seeing this level of growth as for many young gamers their idols and the “celebrities” they follow are no longer always in the traditional media. They’re streamers and content creators, such as Tim The Tatman or Valkyrae.

What to expect next

The transformation of the gaming industry over the last 20 years is nothing short of remarkable. The developments of huge online communities, the rise of gamers from all over the globe, from all different backgrounds, the constantly evolving technologies, and the growth of esports and online communities. Like any budding industry, it won’t stop here and it is going to be a fascinating journey. With the rise of new technologies, developing VR even further, completely immersive gaming; the possibilities are endless. And no doubt the next 20 years will be even more exciting.

Berlin Gaming Industry

Tom Achsel Joins FACTORY-C to Spearhead “Home of Indies” Communications

Published

4 days ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

tom-achsel-joins-factory-c-to-spearhead-“home-of-indies”-communications

FACTORY-C, the Berlin-based communications powerhouse specializing in gaming and esports, has announced the appointment of Tom Achsel as Event Communications Manager. Achsel will join the “Home of Indies” team alongside project initiator Christiane Gehrke, focusing on the platform’s global expansion and upcoming presence at Gamescom 2026.

With over a decade of experience in the tech and gaming sectors, Achsel brings a massive professional network and deep operational expertise to the agency.

A Veteran of the Berlin Gaming Scene

Tom Achsel is a well-known figure in the German development community. His career highlights include:

Games Academy: Served as Head of Marketing & Events at one of Europe’s oldest game development institutions.
Games Ground Berlin: Co-founded and led communications for the Berlin Gaming Festival, curating impactful B2B programs and speaker lineups.
IGDA Berlin: Serves as Vice-Chairman, strengthening ties between local developers and the global gaming ecosystem.

Christiane Gehrke, Senior Event Communication & Sales Manager at Factory-C

“Tom knows the indie scene from multiple perspectives and has a sharp understanding of the needs of indie developers,” said Christiane Gehrke, Senior Event Communication & Sales Manager at FACTORY-C. “He brings everything needed to support the continued development of Home of Indies.”

Scaling the “Home of Indies” Platform

Since its debut in 2022, Home of Indies has grown into a central pillar of the Gamescom Indie Area. The platform provides a shared booth for independent developers, lowering the barrier to entry for international studios.

2025 Growth: The booth expanded to 440 square meters, featuring over 50 games from a dozen countries.
New Features: The project recently added a dedicated Spotlight Stage, streaming booths, and professional networking areas via MeetToMatch.

As Event Communications Manager, Achsel will lead the outreach strategy for Gamescom 2026, ensuring that the creative diversity of the global indie scene receives maximum visibility among press, influencers, and players.

The post Tom Achsel Joins FACTORY-C to Spearhead “Home of Indies” Communications appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BlueBottle

BlueBottle Launches “League Broadcast” SaaS for Streamlined Esports Production

Published

4 days ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

bluebottle-launches-“league-broadcast”-saas-for-streamlined-esports-production

BlueBottle, the Munich-based esports technology innovator, has officially launched League Broadcast, its professional-grade production software, via a new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model.

Announced on January 7, 2026, this B2C release moves the platform from selective partner deployments and its long-standing beta phase into a publicly accessible tool for leagues, tournament organizers, and individual content creators worldwide.

Professional Broadcast Tools for All Tiers

League Broadcast is designed to automate and elevate the visual storytelling of competitive gaming, specifically targeting the League of Legends ecosystem. The software bypasses traditional API limitations by using low-level game data collection to provide real-time, high-fidelity visualizations.

At launch, BlueBottle has introduced a tiered pricing structure to suit different operational scales:

Tier	Status	Key Features	Target Audience
Free	Available	Core overlays, essential team/player data, basic game stats.	Grassroots creators & amateur streamers.
Basic	Available	Commercial usage rights, customizable pre-game elements, professional draft tools.	Semi-pro leagues & small event organizers.
Pro	Coming Soon	Advanced analytics, event-driven automation, premium production tools.	Professional leagues & high-scale live operations.

Supported by Creative Europe Media

The transition to a scalable SaaS model was significantly bolstered by funding from Creative Europe Media, the European Union’s flagship program for the audiovisual and creative sectors. This backing allowed BlueBottle to invest in:

Enhanced Stability: Hardening the software for 24/7 live environments.
Improved Infrastructure: Faster development cycles and dedicated customer support.
Accessibility: Lowering the barrier for European creators to produce “broadcast-quality” content that competes with high-budget international productions.

“This launch represents more than a new pricing model — it’s the moment League Broadcast becomes accessible to the wider esports community,” said Lars Eble, CTO at BlueBottle. “We were able to invest in long-term product quality… ensuring that our B2C customers receive the same level of reliability previously reserved for large partners.”

Strengthening the European Esports Ecosystem

By providing affordable, automated tools for real-time data visualization—such as dynamic gold graphs, inhibitor timers, and 3D in-world branding—BlueBottle is positioning itself as a core infrastructure provider for the digital media age. The platform allows smaller organizations to monetize their formats more effectively through professional-looking sponsor placements and deeper viewer engagement.

The post BlueBottle Launches “League Broadcast” SaaS for Streamlined Esports Production appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Akshat Rathee

Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone

Published

5 days ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

indian-esports-2026:-strategic-growth-and-the-asian-games-milestone

The Indian esports landscape is transitioning from a period of rapid “spectacle” growth to a phase defined by lasting institutional structure. Following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2026 is set to be the year where regulatory clarity, international competition, and domestic grassroots development converge.

The Impact of PROGA: Policy into Practice

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), signed into law in August 2025, has officially moved from policy to practice. Its primary contribution to 2026 is the explicit separation of esports from money-based gaming.

Legitimacy: By categorizing esports as a legitimate competitive pursuit, PROGA has unlocked state-level adoption and cleared the way for schools and colleges to integrate gaming into their sports frameworks.
Commercial Confidence: With a clear regulatory environment, brands in sectors like FMCG, automotive, and BFSI are now viewing esports as a stable, long-term youth engagement platform rather than a risky experiment.
Athlete Pathways: PROGA facilitates the creation of standardized national registries for athletes, ensuring that competitive integrity is maintained across grassroots and professional tiers.

The Asian Games 2026: A Global Stage

The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, serves as the most critical milestone for the ecosystem this year.

Medal Status: Esports will feature as a full medal event with 11 confirmed titles, including League of Legends, PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version), and Pokémon UNITE.
Indian Prospects: India’s best historical result (quarter-finals in League of Legends at Hangzhou) has set a high bar. For 2026, the focus has shifted toward high-performance training camps and long-term athlete mentorship to secure a podium finish.
Multi-Sport Integration: Participation alongside traditional athletes reinforces the narrative that esports is a viable professional career, further encouraging government investment through schemes like Khelo India.

Market Evolution and Key Trends

The Indian gaming market is projected to reach approximately $5.02 billion in 2026, driven by a massive player base exceeding 500 million gamers.

Trend	Impact in 2026
Mobile Dominance	Over 95% of the market remains mobile-first, fueled by 5G expansion and affordable hardware.
Beyond BGMI	2026 is seeing a push to diversify the market into fighting games, sports simulations, and PC titles to avoid “one-title dependency.”
Monetization Shift	Revenue is shifting from pure advertising toward battle passes, subscription models, and in-game progression.
Tier II & III Growth	Most new user acquisition is coming from smaller cities, demanding more vernacular and localized content.