Our series on how different esports culture is around the world started with South Korea and now continues with the United States. The US is without a doubt one of the biggest players in esports – in fact, American esports marked the beginning of the entire industry. The very beginnings took place in basements, in small rented rooms with a few participants at most.
The beginning of an era
In just a few short years, esports evolved from being a fringe hobby to a million-dollar industry, and esports in the US has been a huge driving force in this development. Along with countries like South Korea, China, India, and several others, esports in the USA has become a national hobby, with tens of thousands of fans and participants.
- READ MORE: Around the World: Esports in South Korea
However, there is still a fair amount of prejudice against American esports out there. Much of it relates to the belief that video games are linked to violence (something that there is little to no evidence of) or the belief that they are a waste of time.
Often, parents discourage their kids from pursuing video games and esports as hobbies out of concern, or lack of understanding – even in the American media, esports in the US is often cast in a negative light.
A big player
The US and its esports scene are without a doubt one of the most influential regions out there – and no wonder since much of the industry is centered there. A number of large game publishers and event organizers are based in the US – and with esports like Call of Duty, Dota 2, and Overwatch dominating the hearts of esports fans, it’s no surprise that much of the action happens in the home-country of said games.
There are exceptions, of course – League of Legends publisher Riot, for example, is Chinese-owned, but even so, a lot of development and organization happens in the US. Several things make it ideal – the space, the interest of fans in esports in the US, the number of fans and players, and more.
A bright future
America is the land of possibilities and that includes American esports. Projections show that esports isn't done growing in the US just yet – in fact, it's expected to grow much bigger in the near future. More and more people are picking up the hobby and discovering an interest in one of the many different esports out there – and even the social stigma against them is showing signs of fading away.
Interested in how esports is viewed in other corners of the world? Check out our piece on Japan:
- READ MORE: Around the World: Esports in Japan
And as always, keep it here, with EarlyGame, for news and tips about your favorite games and esports titles.
