eSports
20 years of HyperX: How Has the Gaming Industry Changed?
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.
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Global esports organisation GIANTX has come away from Madrid with a landmark victory, outstanding performances, and the affection of thousands of fans, after the Spanish capital turned into the European hub for esports over the weekend. The LEC Roadtrip, hosted by Movistar KOI — the organisation led by Ibai Llanos — proved to be a resounding success in terms of attendance and organisation. GIANTX, with roots in London and Málaga, played a starring role. Only a narrow defeat against the hosts prevented a perfect weekend. Now, the focus shifts back to Berlin, where GIANTX will fight for a place in the playoffs of the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), the continent’s premier esports league.
For the first time, the LEC temporarily moved its competition from Berlin to Madrid. The Spanish capital once again demonstrated the strength and passion of its esports community, particularly in League of Legends. Around 10,000 spectators filled the Madrid Arena over two days, witnessing four thrilling matches — all decided on the final map — alongside fan activities and community events. The success of the Roadtrip has reignited calls for more international esports events to be hosted in Spain.
GIANTX approached the weekend with two objectives: to improve their standings by securing key victories and to reaffirm their status as one of Europe’s most historic esports organisations, with more than 15 years of tradition and success. The support for GIANTX was immense, with fans travelling from across the country to gather in Madrid. While the team fell just short of a perfect weekend, they earned the respect and affection of the entire arena.
On the competitive front, GIANTX made a strong start by defeating G2 Esports, the historic powerhouse of European League of Legends. It was GIANTX’s first-ever victory over G2, following a tense three-map series that also played out heavily on social media. In the first game, Lot and Jackies led the charge with standout performances on Jax and Yone. Although GIANTX faltered in the second map after a promising early game, they pulled off an unforgettable comeback in the decisive third map, overcoming a formidable performance from G2’s superstar Caps.
Later on Sunday, GIANTX faced KOI in another fiercely contested series. After a standout performance with Tristana in the second game, GIANTX forced a third map but could not maintain their momentum. KOI, who had defeated Fnatic the day before, emerged victorious and closed out the weekend as Roadtrip champions. Fnatic, meanwhile, secured a win over G2 to salvage their weekend.
GIANTX proved itself a top-level contender at the Madrid Arena, but earlier inconsistencies during the Spring Split now weigh heavily in the standings. To qualify for the LEC playoffs, GIANTX must defeat Team BDS next weekend and Team Heretics the following one. The team currently holds a 2-5 record — results that do not fully reflect the positive performances seen in Madrid.
The post GIANTX wins Madrid’s heart during a historic weekend for European esports appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Oliver Niner, Head of B2B says that DFS remains a compelling vertical with huge growth potential especially if operators expand their offering into esports
The roll out of legal online and mobile sports betting across US states has presented a significant opportunity for operators, but the market has proved harder to crack than many anticipated.
The cost of customer acquisition is skyrocketing, building brand equity is taking much longer than expected, and there’s been a slowdown in new states embracing regulation and licensing.
This has led to a run of operators exiting the market as the numbers simply don’t add up.
But while this is happening, the daily fantasy sports space continues to thrive and remains a compelling opportunity for operators.
DFS has a unique legal standing in many states where sports betting is still restricted, allowing operators to reach audiences they otherwise couldn’t.
It also fosters deeper engagement with those who play – players aren’t just betting on outcomes; they’re actively managing lineups and pitting their knowledge and skills against others.
This is the perfect combination for retention and loyalty – something sportsbooks struggle to achieve with players easily swayed to join another brand simply because of a generous free bets offer.
There’s also an untapped opportunity in bringing the worlds of esports and daily fantasy sports together, allowing operators to connect with an entirely new audience.
Until now, traditional DFS brands have focused on the major sports, but the younger, digital-native audiences are more interested in esports such as CS2 and LoL than the NFL.
Why the DFS model works:
Before discussing how operators can get in on the esports DFS action, it’s important to understand why the DFS model works so well in the US, especially for those looking to diversify their offering.
The first is regulatory accessibility. DFS is legal in more states than traditional sports betting, allowing operators to enter markets where sportsbook licensing is unavailable or complex.
DFS has much lower acquisition costs while serving as a gateway to paid gaming. It often attracts a younger, more engaged audience at a lower CPA compared to traditional sports betting.
Strong user retention is another upside. Unlike one-off bets, DFS players return regularly to manage lineups, track stats and compete in contests, driving retention rates way beyond sports betting.
It’s also esports ready. Esports fans are highly engaged with player performance stats, making DFS a natural fit. It can then serve as an introduction to real-money esports betting when regulations allow.
The esports DFS opportunity to be explored:
DFS is an established and thriving vertical and while some operators offer esports within their proposition, it often lacks depth, innovation and mainstream adoption.
Esports fans are naturally engaged with stats, player performance metrics and in-game analytics, so easily segue into the DFS format.
Titles like LoL, CS2, Dota 2 and Valorant offer rich data sets that allow for creative and competitive fantasy formats, but most operators are yet to really get into it.
This leaves a major gap in the market and a huge opportunity for those who put together a compelling esports DFS product, especially as the popularity of esports betting grows.
What a compelling esports DFS product looks like:
The foundation of any esports DFS product is reliable, real-time data and the ability to provide a range of engaging contest formats.
This is where companies such as PandaScore come in. We provide operators with comprehensive esports data including player and team stats across all the major disciplines.
We supplement this with accurate odds and DFS pricing models, helping operators to set accurate and competitive odds – both our data and odds feeds are integrated seamlessly via API.
We also provide unrivalled market expertise; the team has years of experience powering esports betting which we leverage to ensure our partners can succeed with esports DFS.
In addition to markets and odds, players need to be able to access deep performance metrics so they can make informed decisions.
It’s also important for the operator to provide a smooth and intuitive experience via a seamless UX and mobile first approach to site and app navigation.
The diversity of the contests offered needs to be considered, too. This includes classic salary cap formats as well as pick’em games and more.
It goes without saying that social interaction needs to be baked into the experience through features such as leaderboards, private leagues and head-to-head challenges.
Operators need to get ahead in a rapidly evolving market:
The US sports betting and iCasino market is fast moving with the landscape constantly changing – just look at the conversation around sweepstakes casinos.
For me, DFS and especially esports DFS remain an underutilised growth channel that operators need to take advantage of.
As esports betting gains traction – PandaScore recently surpassed €1bn in bets through its platform – DFS serves as a vital entry point through which operators can build brand recognition and engage a digital-first audience primed and ready to play.
This audience might not be familiar with real-money betting today, but by providing them with an experience they are familiar and comfortable with, they can become the bettors of tomorrow.
At PandaScore, we are here to help operators capitalise on this opportunity with best-in-class data, pricing models and strategic support.
For operators, this means the numbers will always add up when it comes to esports daily fantasy sports.
The post Assessing the esports DFS opportunity in the US appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Hero Esports, an industry leader and the largest esports company in Asia, has announced its championship venues for the Asian Champions League (ACL) Grand Finals 2025 taking place May 16-18 in Shanghai. The landmark event will transform three of the city’s most iconic venues into battlegrounds for nine premier esports titles, cementing Shanghai’s status as the global esports capital.
The tournament is expected to attract 80,000+ live attendees across three venues, with global broadcasts reaching millions via Twitch, YouTube and TikTok. Participating teams will be competing for a total prize pool of $2 million. Selected ACL winners will earn direct entry to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—the largest esports event in history due to take place from July to August.
“Shanghai’s selection as our host city reflects its unmatched esports infrastructure and passionate community. By combining elite competition with DreamHack’s festival energy, we’re creating a new blueprint for global esports events,” said Jonny Wang, CEO of ACL.
“This is Hero Esports’ most ambitious project to date. The ACL bridges Asian talents with the world stage while delivering unforgettable fan experiences through cutting-edge production,” said Danny Tang, Co-Founder & CEO of Hero Esports.
The post Hero Esports Announces Venues for ACL Grand Finals 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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