eSports Today

Abstract

Today, gaming, from consoles to PCs to mobile devices, is a global phenomenon with over two billion active participants. In the past two-decades, a subsector of gaming has emerged. eSports has transformed gaming into a networked forum where participants compete with others from around the world. This first chapter provides an overview of the major eSports issues and themes. It will include mapping the history of eSports and the major components of its business ecosystem. Each subsequent chapter will do a deep dive into core themes within eSports and their implications on business and society.