To little surprise, eSports has made a massive impact in the world, in the Far East, and across Europe. This is especially true, particularly in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Today, esports dominate the headlines across the UK. In terms of online gaming, just a few years ago, most gamers in the country were on the hunt for the best online slots for real money UK, but now people are turning to eSports to play for fun and even competitively for some serious cash rewards. If you’re curious where all the attention is going, here are the top esports in UK this year.
Most Popular eSports in the UK 2023
Halo
Among the respondents surveyed in a recent Statista study of the most popular esports games in the United Kingdom, a notable 27% were fans of the Halo franchise. Originating as a sci-fi gaming series, Halo has undergone a transformative journey, transitioning from a real-time strategy game to a first-person shooter throughout its iterations. One of the latest additions to the franchise, Halo Infinite, is now incredibly popular in the esports realm as a premier multiplayer game.
Halo Infinite, crafted by 343 Industries and published by Xbox Game Studios in 2021, boasts a diverse array of multiplayer modes that have taken it to the top position in the UK. Regular updates introducing fresh multiplayer elements, map designs, and weaponry make it even more appealing. It’s hardly surprising it’s so popular in the UK – and across the world.
League of Legends
Released in 2009, League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that follows a free-to-play model. The gameplay revolves around playing 5v5 matches set on a three-lane battleground known as Summoner’s Rift. Operating as a strategy game, it entails two teams, each comprised of five champions, engaging in fierce competition to destroy their opponent’s stronghold—the Nexus—at the heart of their base. You can choose your character from a roster of over 140 diverse champions.
League of Legends has garnered a global following of more than 20 million enthusiasts, with 23% of the UK’s esports fans contributing to this impressive fan base. While it has certain similarities to Dota 2, League of Legends holds a distinctive appeal in the UK’s gaming community – with annual tournaments held in various corners of the world, cementing its position as one of the top games in the world.
Call of Duty
Undoubtedly, Call of Duty has always been one of the biggest esports games, and this steadfast popularity extends seamlessly to the United Kingdom. Since its inception in 2003, the first-person shooter series has maintained a presence… not only within gaming but also within the ever-evolving world of esports.
Around 21% of the UK’s esports fans spend time enjoying the Call of Duty franchise. Activision, the driving force behind the series, is always updating the brand, making sure it is always ahead of the curve.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
If you are a patient eSports player, then CS:GO is worth your while. This is a multiplayer FPS game, the fourth in the Counter-Strike franchise and the biggest of them all. The game is played between 2 teams, the Terrorists and the Counter-Terrorists, fighting it out to set off or defuse bombs, capture or rescue hostages, etc. It can be played in 9 different modes: Casual, Competitive, Arms Race, Death Match, Demolition, Danger Zone, Wingman, Flying Scotsman, and Retakes.
FIFA
This EA Sports game is one of the biggest video game series in the world. Competitors aim to create the ultimate team of footie players and lead them to ultimate victory. This is the perfect game for soccer/football fans across the globe. Given the love of the sport in the UK, it comes as no surprise that it attracts 14% of eSports fans in the UK.
Ultimately, esports’ increasing popularity in the UK can be attributed to many factors. An expanding and vibrant gaming culture, thriving esports events – and some excellent games attracting all types of players. The UK’s rich history in traditional sports, coupled with the rise of competitive gaming, creates a perfect storm that fuels the country’s growing enthusiasm for esports.
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