10 Best Esports Games In 2023
10 Best Esports Games In You’re in the final match of the
World Championship. It was close up to this point, but things have taken a turn
for the worst. The enemy team is closing in and you’re surrounded. It’s all but
over.
Then, a faint glimmer of hope as a care package drops from
the heavens, a gift from the gaming overlords. You make a mad dash for it and
get there first. Inside? A tactical nuke! You grab the remote control and press
down on the button. Rockets rain from the sky, wiping out the entire enemy team
in a blazing ball of fiery fury!The crowd goes wild as you clinch the dub and
take home a cool $1 million.
Sound like a far-fetched dream? Not necessarily. As the best
eSports games grow in popularity, so do new and exciting possibilities. Just
think about titles likeFortniteandLeague of Legends, and how many pro gamers
got their start in these two games alone. For players willing to put in the
time, a career as an eSports professional or streameriswithin reach.
The first step? Knowing where to start, of course! That’s
where this list of top eSports games comes into play. In this article, we’ll
talk about the most popular titles, and show you some top-tier games you
might’ve missed. Sound like a plan? Let’s get started.
Drafting the Top Picks
Out of all the options, how did we choose which games to
feature?
We looked at three primary factors: popularity of the game,
number of events and tournaments, and estimatedamount of prize payouts. After
crunching the numbers, we decided on this top 10 list of eSports games. We hope
it serves as a comprehensive look at the competitive gaming scene in 2023.
Enjoy!
Let’s dive in and start with the 10th best and work our way
up to our #1 pick for 2023.
1. Super Smash Bros.
Every Nintendo fanboy knows aboutSmash Bros. Heck, even
casual gamers know and respect the esteemed franchise. What makes it so
popular? Smash Bros. combines characters from your favorite video game
franchises in an all-out brawl to the death. Pick from over 75 character, and
gear up for epic spats of Mario vs. Zelda, Pikachu vs. Pacman, or Sonic vs.
Joker. There are tons of different attacks, saving movies, and finishers that
make each match unique, and it’s always an exciting romp to see which player
(and character) takes the crown. What’s not to love?
That said, not allSmash Bros. titles were created equal,
especially when it comes to the competitive scene. In particular, two versions
stand out among the crowd:MeleeandUltimate.
Smash Meleeis the GameCube version of the game, which still
attracts a considerable following due to its hardcore mechanics.Smash
Ultimateis the latest Switch rendition, and its regular updates and DLCs make
it ideal for competitions.
As for the potential spoils? Don’t be fooled by the
relatively small amount of prize payouts.Despite endless controversy, Nintendo
still doesn’t sponsor official matches. That meansSmash Bros.tournament funds
areentirelycommunity-generated. Even so,Smashis so popular that
tournamentsalways attract top talent from teams like Cloud9, Evil Geniuses, and
Misfits.
2. PlayerUnknown’s
Battlegrounds
* Genre:Battle Royale
* Publisher:PUBG Corporation
* Prize Payouts:$21.5 Million
PUBGbrought the battle royale genre to the masses. While it
wasn’t thefirstBR hit,it was the first one to garner such a thriving player
base and following.
PUBGfollows a tried-and-true formula. One hundred players
drop into an island arena and fight to the last man standing, Hunger Games
style. Load up on guns and ammo, and fight ’til the death! You’ll need to chart
the 4 epic maps and use the environment to your advantage if you hope to
survive the encroaching storm. It’s an action-packed firefight that’ll push you
to the limit.
As for the competitive scene? Unlike most of my in-game
opponents, it’s alive and thriving. The 2019 PUBG Global Championship featured
32 teams and 128 total players duking it out for $6 million in cash prizes. And
2023’s Invitational promises an even bigger turnout, with all the typical
fanfare included.
3. Tom Clancy’s
Rainbow Six Siege
The Six Invitational 2020 just wrapped up. In first place, a
North American team called Spacestation Gaming took home $1 million in cash
prizes. Split five ways, that’s acool$200,000 each. Not bad for a day’s work.
Rainbow Six Siegeis a tactical shooter that follows the
typical team deathmatch format – with a few unique twists. Depending on the
mode,Six Siegefeatures various objectives, ranging from saving hostages to
defusing bombs. But one thing always remains consistent: you’ve got to work
together if you want to win. Use your comms to communicate enemy movement, strategize
your game plan carefully, and remain on high alert. Teamwork makes the dream
work, as they say. And with prize payouts hovering around $11 million, that’s a
big dream.
Although it released five years ago,Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
Siegehas gone from strength to strength, gaining new fans while keeping old
ones entertained. It’s the best eSports game on our list for players who enjoy
teaming with pals and working together, and we highly recommend giving it a
shot.
4. Hearthstone
Remember that Blizzard controversy awhile back? The one
about Hong Kong and China. Do you know where it all originated? At a
professionalHearthstonetournament! Yes,Hearthstonemaintains ahugeeSports
presence on the international level and is one of the most influential games on
the market.
What makes it unique? It’s literallytheonline card game.
Modeled after traditional tabletop CCGs like Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh,
players construct decks and use them to battle other players from all around
the world. There are tons of different ways to play, ranging from ranked
matches to team battles, to casual single-player campaigns. The unifying theme?
A mystical fantasy world inspired by Blizzard’sWarcraftmythology. And, an
assortment of minions, monster, weapon, and hero cards that you can use to take
out the comp.
Since its launch in 2014, total prize payouts exceed 20
million. If you’re seeking a mobile eSports game or just want something a bit
more casual, Hearthstoneis the way to go.
5. Call of Duty
Call of Duty– the game thatnever goes awaykeeps on giving.
The latest addition to the series is calledCall of Duty: Modern Warfare(yes,
again).
If you’ve played oneCoD,you’ve played ’em all, right?
Wrong.Modern Warfareintroduces several exciting new mechanics unseen in
previous iterations. There’s a greater emphasis on the physical environment and
map exploration, and the developers blurred the lines between Campaign and
Multiplayer modes.
And that’s not even the best part! Activision is soon to
release an exciting new Battle Royale Mode called Warzone! It’s rumored to
feature the same kill-or-be-killed mechanics on an entirely new map (complete
with an assorted array of new hazards, of course).
Since the first game’s introduction way back in 2003,Call of
Dutytournaments have paid out over $29 million in cash prizes. An impressive
number, to be sure. But that’s not the only good news! If the franchise’s
longevity is any indicator, new CoD players can rest assured knowing their
careers will still be relevant 10 years down the line.
6. Overwatch
Do you enjoy co-op games? If so, you’ll want to try your
hand atOverwatch, Blizzard’s action-packed team-based FPS.
What isOverwatch? It’s an online shooter that revolves
around heroes. Overwatch features over two dozen heroes, and each one is
unique. What’s that mean, exactly? Well, some specialize in offense, some in
defense, and some in wacky skills you don’t understand ’til you jump into a
match and try them out yourself. But no matter which hero you choose, the
mission is always the same: wipe out the enemy team and score the most points.
Oh, and keep a positive K/D, else you risk handing victory to your opponents.
Like many Blizzard games, the development team actively
supports the competitive scene, and potential winnings are generous to say the
least. If you enjoy classic comic-book-style heroes and fast-paced competitive
action, this is one game you don’t want to miss.
7. Dota 2
* Genre:MOBA
* Publisher:Valve Corporation
* Prize Payouts:$221 Million
What is it, exactly?Dota 2is a MOBA that pits two teams of
five against one another in a fight to the death. Your objective? To defend
your base while simultaneously inching your way towards the enemy “Ancient,” a
sacred structure and the source of their power. Destroy it, and your team wins!
Choose one of 117 unique heroes (each with their own magical move pools), enter
the game, and defend your lane to the last breath. Your team is counting on
you!
Though it’s only seven years old,Dota 2is among the most
lucrative eSports games around. Prize payouts exceed $200 million and counting!
Naturally, competition is fierce, with major players from Team Liquid, OG, and
other formidable teams joining the mix. Whether you want t play competitive or
not,Dota 2is a ton of fun and one you don’t want to miss.
8. Fortnite
* Genre:Battle Royale
* Publisher:Epic Games
* Prize Payouts:$84.5 Million
Though other games propelled the gaming industry
upwards,Fortniteshattered the glass ceiling. And then it built a whole new
structure in its wake. Needless to say, we haveFortniteto thank for the
explosive growth of eSports these past few years.
Board the Battle Bus, and jump into a wacky world that
bridges several genres. You’ve got the silly antics with emotes like Flossing
and Dabbing, genuine third-person shooter mechanics complete with a dazzling
array of weaponry (also wacky in nature), and… building, a mechanic that takes
the game to whole new heights. Build your own forts to defend against enemy
fire, or and rain down terror from the high ground!
Fortnitehas a robust competitive scene, and top eSports
leagues maintain dedicated teams. Why? Just look at the Fortnite World Cup,
where Epic Games awarded $30 million in cash prizes (the biggest payout in
gaming history at the time).Fortniteis a fantastic game and an excellent place
to start for players seeking a fun, playful community combined with high-stakes
competitive action.
9. League of Legends
Riot Games’ massive hit,League of Legends, is 10 years in
and going strong. In addition to topping the Twitch viewer charts several years
in a row, it’s consistently ranked one of the most popular eSports games
around.
League of Legendsis a top-down fantasy-inspired MOBA or
multiplayer online battle arena. At the start of each match, players select
their characters, choose a battle lane, and the countdown begins! The
objective? Each team must make it across the map and destroy the enemy’s Nexus
before they destroy yours. Take out opposing turrets and minions as you go, and
always keep an eye on the tall grass – you never know where danger lurks. It’ll
take inspired maneuvering and top-tier tactics if you hope to succeed.
WhileDOTA 2, the other wildly popular MOBA, dwarfsLoL’stotal
prize payouts,LoLis more popular as a whole. It’s also where several pro teams
got their start – including heavy hitters like TSM and 100 Thieves.
Overall,League of Legendsis one of the best PC eSports games for competitive
thrill-seekers.
10. Counter-Strike:
Global Offensive
Widely regarded as one the best FPS games ever made,CS:GOtakes
the #1 spot on our list of best eSports games.
Download the game via the Steam Launcher, jump into a match,
and choose your side: terrorist or counter-terrorist. Then shoot it out against
the opposing team in pursuit of any number of high-stakes goals. Depending on
the game mode, this may include IRL-inspired deathmatch scenarios complete with
friendly fire or intense bomb defusal situations.
Read more: What Is ESports History Top Teams Revenues And Risks
What makes CS:GO so competitive? Well, when you die, you’re
out until the end of the match! This creates opportunities for individual
players to clutch out some amazing 1 v 2 (or more) victories. Grab an AWP and
Flip Knife from the Steam Community Market, then shoot/swipe your way through
intense matches with everything you’ve got. It’s truly winner takes all.
These high-stakes scenarios combine with CS:GO’s classic FPS
gameplay to make playing in tournaments a sensational thrill. Even for the
viewer, it’salwaysa great show. Heck,CS: GO’sunpredictable gameplay may be the
reason so many of today’s top entertainers – including Shroud and Summit1g –
got their start in the game.
High Ground View:
eSports Games
In its purest form, an eSport is a competition based around
video games. These competitions may be a simple challenge to see who can
achieve the highest score, as was often the case in the earliest days of
eSports. Or, players may use the internet (or a dedicatedlocal area network) to
battle it out in real-time virtual cyberspace. Given today’s global
interconnectivity, with players competing from all over the world, this is the
most popular way to play.
In addition to moving online, the industry has grown in
numerous other ways. For one, pro teams are quickly becoming commonplace. Like
traditional sports teams, professional eSports organizations offer funding and
training for talented players hoping to make it big time. And with prize pools
often numbering in the millions, the potential payoffs are insane. Another area
of rapid development? Dedicated eSports stadiums and facilities, like the
new100 Thieves Compoundin Southern California.
Pretty cool, right? But what’s the future hold for eSports?
Once VR and Augmented Reality hit the mainstream, you’re
sure to see many exciting new eSports games – and maybe even entirely new ways
to play. Moreover, you should expect to see the industry as a whole continue to
gain momentum as the Xbox Series X and PS5 hit the market. In the grand scheme
of things, the industry,and the competition, has only just begun.
