When you think of online gaming, you usually imagine professional players glued to their computers and with headphones on their heads. However, that’s not exactly accurate. Gamers are now regularly using their smartphones to compete with each other, either in a casual setting or in a competitive environment.
Esports (short for electronic sports) has been traditionally dominated by PC and console games, with titles such as League of Legends, Defense of the Ancients (Dota) and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive leading the charge.
In recent years, however, a new contender has emerged in the horizon – mobile esports. Once considered a casual pastime, mobile gaming has transformed into a serious business. In fact, there are now dozens of mobile esports tournaments offering lucrative prizes to top players.
A Brief History of Mobile Gaming
The earliest known mobile game was a Tetris variant on a Hagenuk MT-2000 mobile phone in 1994. In 1997, Nokia introduced the extremely popular game Snake, which was pre-installed in most Nokia mobile phones.
Two years later, in 1999, the Japanese firm NTT Docomo launched the “i-mode” mobile platform. This innovation allowed mobile phone users to download games to their devices.
As mobile phone technology rapidly improved and handheld devices became ubiquitous, mobile games also became increasingly more sophisticated. The launch of Apple’s iPhone in 2007 and the App Store in 2008 drastically transformed the industry by making it possible for developers to produce more complex and challenging games.
In 2012, Candy Crush Saga was launched, heralding the “freemium” model which allows game developers to charge users for a better playing experience. For example, players can pay a small fee for the ability to play a game beyond the time limit set by the developer.
Nowadays, the most popular mobile games include PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends, Clash of Clans, Pokemon Go, and Free Fire.
Mobile Esports Tournaments
As more gamers flock to mobile games, mobile esports tournaments became increasingly more popular. Major esports organizations such as TSM, Team Liquid and FaZe Clan are now investing in mobile esports, and organizing leagues and tournaments with mouthwatering prize pools.
The PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) and the Free Fire World Series, for example, attract millions of viewers all over the world. The PMGC, which is organized by Tencent Games, offers a total prize pool of $6 million, making it one of the most lucrative esports tournaments ever.
Mobile esports have also made their way to sporting events such as the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). During the recent SEA Games in Cambodia, athletes competed for medals in mobile games such as League of Legends, PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
If you don’t have the requisite skill and ability to compete in these mobile esports tournaments, don’t worry. Thanks to GGBET, you can support your favorite esports teams and players, and win prizes in the process.
The Future of Mobile Esports
Many people prefer mobile games over PC and console games because smartphones are cheaper and more accessible than a desktop computer or a Playstation console. As mobile devices become more powerful, expect mobile games to be more complex and powerful as well. This is a good thing because players love a challenging experience.
The future of mobile esports and mobile gaming look bright. With technologies such virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) coming to fruition, mobile gaming will be more exciting in the years to come.
