esports discusion
esports discusion
essentially i shared a question about whether Overwatch qualifies as a competitive title. I had some fascinating discussions, like learning that Korea just organized the first Overwatch event. Honestly, I believe Overwatch isn’t really a competitive game. However, someone brought up Rocket League, which made me wonder if it could be a legitimate esport. I invested a million dollars to try it out. By the way, I’m a pro in CSGO and take it very seriously, so I feel confident enough to offer some feedback. In my opinion, the challenge to make Rocket League truly competitive isn’t too high, especially since CSGO and League of Legends are much more demanding. Therefore, I’ll skip talking about servers right now—the game doesn’t need such intense reflexes. Now I’m uncertain whether Rocket League could ever be serious competition. It really depends on how the developers promote it. So I plan to run a poll to see if more games should aim for competitiveness or if most titles today should stay casual.
Typically it relies on developers to promote the game as a strong contender. Or fans can be passionate enough to adapt the title for competitive play. Super Smash Bros., particularly Melee, serves as a prime case. While originally intended as a casual party experience, the community transformed it into a competitive arena. This evolution required time, as early sessions mirrored typical gameplay. The shift involved significant changes, especially around item mechanics. Eventually, the scene became highly competitive, driven by players and supported financially by the developer. Prize money in major events like DOTA, CS:GO, or LoL often exceeds 4000 USD for top performers, whereas Smash Melee usually offers under 4000 USD for the leading players, with larger sums in elite tournaments.
I don't like having too many competitive games because it takes a lot of time to improve and I'd prefer all fans of competitive games to be in one place. But on the other hand, having more games means more competition, which benefits the industry.
Not all games created were meant to be competitive. Just tell me what you think, I’m ready to listen. Some folks even attempted to turn CLASH OF FUCKING CLANS into a real sport, which is pretty wild. Stay calm and keep it cool, you’re not the only one trying.
I used to think playing CS:GO 1.6 was just a casual experience until I discovered a pro scene and thought it was ridiculous... well fuck me.
So the challenge to truly compete in Rocket League appears relatively small. The game boasts an incredibly high skill level, demanding rapid decisions and swift reactions. The ball dynamics add complexity, making it difficult to master consistently. Aerial maneuvers further increase the difficulty, contributing to a steep learning curve. Just observe players like Kronovi, and you’ll see how extensive practice is needed to achieve consistent success. This high barrier helps solidify Rocket League’s position as a strong esports platform. While I don’t anticipate it becoming a mainstream esports title, Psyonix’s investment in a $75,000 prize pool suggests growing support. I see value in more developers pursuing competitive gaming, as it can lead to engaging experiences. Throughout my gaming journey, I’ve enjoyed popular esports titles like Halo and Starcraft, which also emphasize balance and skill. My experience with Rocket League and CS:GO shows that such games resonate with me, so if more creators focus on this path, it could be rewarding. On Overwatch, my perspective is less enthusiastic—while I appreciate its fun, I find it less captivating compared to titles like CS:GO or Dota 2, possibly due to audience size and viewing enjoyment. We’ll have to see how it develops.
Even if a developer aims for competitiveness, if the game lacks originality, feels outdated, isn't suited for its audience, or simply doesn't receive the right opportunities, success is unlikely. Consider the numerous MOBAs that attempted to replicate DOTA or LoL but ultimately failed. Competitive Call of Duty rarely receives attention, especially since titles like MW3 or Black Ops 2 weren't originally designed for such play. However, when major studios like Activision and Microsoft (Xbox) invested heavily—along with teams from Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer—the game gained momentum. Large prize pools and events from organizations like MLG and UMG helped drive growth. Yet, despite these efforts, the core product remained more suited to casual or social play rather than true competitive environments. Many features were restricted in competitive settings—specific weapons, gear, and scoring systems were banned—which further alienated players. This created a significant gap between the game's intended purpose and its actual experience, limiting its mainstream appeal. The only spaces offering competitive parity were niche modes like Black Ops 2’s League play or Advanced Warfare’s Ranked mode, though these weren't as prominent as CSGO’s own competitive scene.