Esports has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, attracting millions of viewers globally who enjoy watching their favorite games and players compete. League of Legends (LoL) is among the most popular games in the esports industry. So, how big is League of Legends? In this article, lolt1 will share LoL’s size relative to other esports in terms of its player base, prize pools, and regional appeal.
The Esports Landscape
Before we delve into League of Legends, it is essential to have a broad understanding of the esports industry. Many esports games have gained widespread popularity, including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Fortnite, and Overwatch. These games boast vast player bases, with millions of players participating in tournaments for prizes that can exceed millions of dollars.
However, in terms of viewership, League of Legends reigns supreme in the esports industry. The 2021 League of Legends World Championship drew more than 3 million concurrent viewers, with a peak of 45 million unique viewers tuning in to watch the tournament, solidifying its position as the most-watched esports game.
How Big is League of Legends ?
League of Legends (LoL) is one of the biggest and most popular video games in the world. Since its release in 2009, it has amassed a massive player base and become a major force in the esports landscape. As of 2021, LoL has an estimated 115 million monthly active players, making it one of the largest esports games in the world. The esports competition boasted a prize pool exceeding $6 million, ranking it among the most significant in the world.
League of Legends’ fame extends beyond Europe and North America, as it enjoys a strong fan base in Asia, particularly in China and South Korea. The Chinese LoL Pro League (LPL) is a globally renowned and fiercely competitive esports league, home to many notable teams and players.
In summary, League of Legends has a vast player base, hosts sizable esports tournaments, and has gained worldwide recognition, making it one of the most substantial video games globally. Its ongoing development and increasing player population promise an exciting future for the game, and we can’t wait to see how it continues to shape the esports industry
Comparing LoL to Other Esports
League of Legends boasts one of the most extensive player bases among esports games, with approximately 115 million active players every month, surpassing other well-known esports games such as Fortnite and Overwatch. Nevertheless, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive still hold considerable player bases, with Dota 2 having an estimated 11 million monthly active players, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive boasting 24 million.
In terms of prize pools, LoL’s World Championship is one of the biggest esports tournaments in the world, with a prize pool of over $6 million in 2021. However, this is still behind Dota 2’s The International, which had a prize pool of over $40 million in 2021.
Finally, when it comes to regional popularity, LoL has a strong following in Asia, particularly in China and South Korea. However, Dota 2 is more popular in regions like Europe and Russia.
Impact of LoL on Esports
A. Role in the growth of esports
LoL has played a significant role in the growth of esports, particularly in the MOBA genre. The game’s popularity and success have helped to legitimize esports and bring it into the mainstream. LoL’s success has also helped to attract more investment and sponsorship to the esports industry, leading to bigger prize pools, more professional players, and higher production values for tournaments.
Furthermore, LoL has set new standards for esports tournaments, with the World Championship being one of the most prestigious and well-produced esports events in the world. This has helped to create a sense of excitement and spectacle around esports, making it more appealing to a wider audience.
B. Influence on other games
LoL has also had a significant influence on other games in the MOBA genre, as well as esports as a whole. For example, games like Dota 2 and Heroes of the Storm have borrowed elements from LoL, such as the use of champions and the structure of the game. These games have also adopted some of the strategies used by LoL in promoting esports, such as creating regional leagues and organizing major tournaments.
In addition, LoL’s success has encouraged other game developers to invest in esports, leading to the creation of new esports games and leagues. This has helped to diversify the esports landscape and provide more opportunities for professional players and fans alike.
C. Future outlook for League of Legends
Looking ahead, the future looks bright for LoL and its esports scene. The game continues to attract new players and fans, and Riot Games, the developer of LoL, has committed to investing in esports for the long term. This includes expanding the game’s esports ecosystem by creating new regional leagues and tournaments, as well as improving the player experience with new features and updates.
In addition, Riot Games has announced plans to create a new MMORPG set in the same universe as LoL. This could potentially lead to new esports opportunities and a broader audience for the franchise.
Conclusion
League of Legends (LoL) is a prominent esports game globally, with a substantial number of players, significant prize money, and a thriving esports community. Although it may not lead in all aspects, it remains a prominent contender in the esports industry, contributing to its development. The game’s future looks bright as it progresses and attracts new players, and it will be fascinating to observe how it will shape the esports landscape.
