eSports, short for electronic sports, is no longer a niche term. Over the past two decades, it came from the shadows of traditional gaming and grew into a global industry with professional leagues, packed stadiums, prizes worth of million dollars, and fans that rival mainstream sports teams.
But as the ecosystem grows, so does the confusion surrounding what exactly makes a game an eSport. Not every video game played online is considered one.
So, what are the main elements that classify a game as an eSport?
Competitive structure and balance
At the core of every eSport is competition. This means a game must allow players to face off under defined rules to determine a winner. The competitive nature must be structured and consistent. There must be clear win conditions, and ideally, little to no reliance on luck or random chance. Games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2 have well-developed mechanics that ensure skill is the determining factor in who wins.
Game balance plays an equally important role. If one character, weapon, or strategy is far superior to others and dominates every match, it weakens competitive integrity. Developers who want their games to enter the eSports arena must invest in constant updates, patches, and feedback systems to make sure all is fair. A well-balanced game encourages mastery and deep strategy, so pro players can distinguish themselves through skill and practice.
Integration in the betting ecosystem
One element that solidifies a game’s eSport status in the modern era is its integration into the betting ecosystem. While controversial in some circles, eSports betting is a booming industry that mirrors traditional sports gambling. In order for a game to be accepted by sportsbooks, it must meet strict criteria around predictability, fairness, and widespread adoption.
Betting markets typically require that the game have a regular competitive schedule, established professional teams, and reliable match outcomes. Bookmakers analyze past data, team performance, player stats, and patch updates to set odds. Games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2 are heavily bet on during major tournaments such as the ESL Pro League or The International.
Modern times have seen the rise of blockchain in eSports betting, so now players and fans can make bets in specialized Ethereum betting sites using, of course, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. According to gambling expert Jake Turner, these sportsbooks offer unique features like top promotions and bonuses, extensive sports coverage, and safety that only the blockchain can provide.
Spectator value and accessibility
For a game to become an eSport, it must also be watchable. Games with confusing interfaces, cluttered visuals, or obscure rules struggle to attract audiences. eSports succeed when spectators, whether casual fans or seasoned gamers, can follow the action, understand what’s at stake, and appreciate the tactics being used.
Games like Rocket League demonstrate this principle perfectly. Despite being a non-traditional eSport (essentially soccer with rocket-powered cars), its simple objectives and fluid gameplay make it easily digestible for newcomers. On the other hand, complex games such as StarCraft II or Rainbow Six Siege require more effort to understand, but strong casting, visual cues, and intelligent UI design help bridge the gap.
High-quality broadcasts with professional commentators (often called “casters”), instant replays, and strategic camera work enhance viewer engagement. Developers and organizers must also invest in infrastructure like streaming platforms, fan interaction tools, and multi-language broadcasts to increase accessibility and reach.
Developer support and ecosystem investment
No eSport emerges without strong backing from either the game’s developer or an external organizing body. Supporting an eSport means more than releasing a good game. It requires consistent funding, marketing, infrastructure development, and community outreach. This includes creating official leagues or circuits, hiring tournament staff, providing broadcasting tools, and ensuring the integrity of matches.
Riot Games has built an entire global structure around League of Legends, including regional leagues, world championships, and academy systems. Valve supports Dota 2 with The International, which regularly boasts one of the largest prize pools in eSports history thanks to its crowdfunding model. Without this kind of organizational scaffolding, even well-designed games can fail to catch on as serious eSports.
Community engagement is another essential part. Open qualifiers, amateur tournaments, and tools that allow grassroots competition give aspiring players a path to climb. A game that offers no way for new talent to emerge or for fans to feel involved will struggle to thrive in the long run.
Skill expression and learning curve
eSports are about skill: the ability to out-think, out-play, and outlast your opponent. A game must have a high skill ceiling to keep players and fans engaged. The more room there is for innovation, precision, and mastery, the more compelling the eSport becomes.
This doesn’t mean the game has to be complicated at first glance. In fact, many top eSports are easy to learn but hard to master. Super Smash Bros. is a good example: it’s approachable for beginners, but pro-level gameplay requires frame-perfect precision and intense matchup knowledge.
Depth also matters for strategic variety. If every match plays out the same way, even a skilled game will quickly lose interest as an eSport.
Infrastructure for organized competition
A game becomes an eSport when it can support formal competition. This means it must allow tournament-style play with multiple participants, fair matchmaking systems, anti-cheat mechanisms, and a way to track player performance.
Matchmaking ladders, ranked divisions, and APIs that let third-party organizers host tournaments are all part of this infrastructure. Competitive games often need spectator modes, pause functions, and referee controls to facilitate proper event hosting. eSports titles like Valorant or Overwatch 2 have these tools integrated to make organizing events, whether online or in-person, feasible and fair.
Not every game can–or should–be an eSport
Not all video games are cut out to be eSports, and that’s perfectly fine. Some are better suited for casual play, solo experiences, or narrative immersion. Just because a game includes multiplayer doesn’t automatically mean it’s meant for the competitive stage.
Classifying a game as an eSport isn’t a marketing decision–it’s the result of design, infrastructure, and organic community development aligning in the right way. The most successful eSports titles are those that strike a balance between developer support, competitive depth, accessibility, and passionate engagement from both players and fans.