Who Founded Esports? Unraveling the Origins of Competitive Gaming
The quest to pinpoint a single “founder” of esports is a bit like trying to find the first person who ever kicked a ball and declared it a sport. It’s a complex history with many influential figures. There isn’t one individual we can definitively label as the “founder of esports,” but rather a confluence of events, technologies, and individuals who collectively paved the way for its existence. If we are going to pinpoint a single even, most will agree that the earliest known video game competition took place on October 19, 1972, at Stanford University for the game Spacewar.
A Deeper Dive into the Pioneers
Esports’ roots can be traced back to the dawn of video games themselves. Early arcade competitions, like those surrounding Space Invaders in the late 1970s, hinted at the potential for competitive gaming. Atari’s 1980 Space Invaders Championship, attracting over 10,000 participants, is often cited as a landmark moment. This event, although rudimentary by today’s standards, showcased the appeal of organized video game competitions. This era saw the rise of Walter Day, who is often dubbed the “Father of Esports” due to his efforts in documenting and promoting arcade gaming competitions through Twin Galaxies, an organization dedicated to tracking high scores and establishing rules for fair play. Twin Galaxies helped legitimize competitive gaming and establish some structure around it. His tireless dedication to the emerging scene gave it vital early legitimacy.
In the 1990s, the rise of the internet and PC gaming ushered in a new era. Games like Doom, Quake, and StarCraft facilitated online multiplayer, allowing players to compete against each other from across the globe. This period witnessed the emergence of professional gamers like Dennis “Thresh” Fong, often regarded as the first professional gamer for his dominance in Quake.
The Rise of Structured Leagues and Tournaments
As esports gained momentum, organized leagues and tournaments began to emerge. The Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL), founded in 1997, played a significant role in structuring the competitive scene. This paved the way for later organizations like Major League Gaming (MLG) and the World Cyber Games (WCG), which further professionalized the industry. In 1999, League of Legends was launched, becoming one of the biggest eSports games in the world.
While there is no single individual founder, the combined contributions of figures like Walter Day, professional gamers such as Dennis Fong, and the organizers of early leagues and tournaments are what collectively established esports as we know it today. For more insights into the history and evolution of games and learning, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society and consider visiting GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Origins of Esports
1. Who is considered the “Father of Esports”?
Walter Day is often referred to as the “Father of Esports” due to his work with Twin Galaxies in documenting and promoting arcade gaming competitions, which helped legitimize the nascent competitive scene.
2. Who was the first professional esports player?
Dennis “Thresh” Fong is widely considered the first professional esports player, recognized for his dominance in Quake tournaments.
3. What was the first known video game competition?
The earliest known video game competition took place on October 19, 1972, at Stanford University for the game Spacewar, where students competed for a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone.
4. What role did Atari play in the early days of esports?
Atari’s 1980 Space Invaders Championship was a pivotal event, attracting over 10,000 participants and demonstrating the potential for large-scale organized video game competitions.
5. Which game is often associated with the rise of online multiplayer esports?
Games like Doom, Quake, and StarCraft were instrumental in the rise of online multiplayer esports in the 1990s.
6. What were some of the first major esports leagues and tournaments?
The Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL), Major League Gaming (MLG), and the World Cyber Games (WCG) were among the first major leagues and tournaments that helped structure and professionalize the esports landscape.
7. How did the internet contribute to the growth of esports?
The internet facilitated online multiplayer gaming, allowing players to compete remotely and fostering the growth of a global competitive community. Platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook helped broadcast live coverage to fans and allow them to interact with each other.
8. When did esports start gaining significant popularity?
Esports gained serious momentum in the 2000s, with the emergence of organized leagues and tournaments.
9. What are some of the top esports games currently?
As of 2023, the top esports games include League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
10. What is the oldest esport game?
The earliest known video game competition took place on October 19, 1972, at Stanford University for the game Spacewar.
11. What is driving the rapid growth of esports?
The accessibility of esports games on various devices, the availability of free online broadcasts, and the growing engagement of fans through online platforms are all contributing to its rapid growth.
12. How big is the esports market in the USA?
The largest market in the US is Esports Betting with a market volume of US$554.00m in 2023. With a projected market volume of US$871.00m in 2023, most revenue is generated in the United States.
13. What are some of the challenges facing the esports industry?
Challenges include maintaining profitability for leagues and teams, combating cybersecurity threats like DDoS attacks, and addressing concerns about player burnout and mental health.
14. What is the projected future of esports?
The future of esports is expected to continue growing, with increasing revenue, a larger audience, and greater professionalization of the industry. In 2022, the global eSports market was valued at just over 1.38 billion U.S. dollars. Additionally, the eSports industry’s global market revenue was forecast to grow to as much as 1.87 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.
15. Is it possible to start a career in esports later in life?
While younger players often have an advantage in reaction time and stamina, it is still possible to have a career in esports as you get older. It is possible to start a career in esports in your late 20s or early 30s, but you need to be very selective on what game you are looking to become a pro at.