Background

Starcraft became a huge success in South Korea as more than just a game but also an eSport. Now StarCraft 2  has done what StarCraft failed go global. StarCraft 2 has spread across the world with the GSL in South Korea televised on GOMTV and in China on NeoTV, NASL, MLG and IPL in America, PPSL in the Philippines, ESL in Europe, World Cyber Games, Gamescom, Dreamhack, Blizzard Cup and so many more tours, leagues and events.

StarCraft 2 continues to grow with over 3 million USD in prizes an average of over $150,000  USD a month. Gamers aren’t the only ones making money there are also websites, commentators, coaches, teams, sponsors and so many more people making money.

iNcontroL, is one example who has been coaching SC2 Protoss players for $150 USD an hour.

StarCraft 2 is one of the many eSports that exist today with more people gaming than ever before we are seeing a huge increase in eSports budgets. With games and eSports it can be confusing as to what games are successful eSports or just a game.

ProGamingTours is a website that keeps track of eSport prize pools, tournaments, community size and more to rank games based on the eSport.

PGT’s eSport Rankings Update October

 StarCraft 2 the #1 ranked eSport

Why StarCraft 2 is #1:

Over 3 million copies sold its first month after release, fastest selling RTS game.

Over 3 million players on StarCraft 2 Battle.net

Over 3 million dollars USD in tournament cash prizes

Over 3 year lifespan, StarCraft 2 and its expansions will still be played into 2020

StarCraft 2 October main events. GSL October $130,000. IPL 3: Origins by IGN $100,000. ESWC $66,000. ESL’s Global Challenge New York and Guangzhou $64,000.

DotA 2 recently held ‘International’ tournament with a prize pool of 1.6 million USD. DotA started the Moba genre and DotA 2 has redefined it as an Action Real Time Strategy game or ARTS. The game still in development has hundreds of fan websites, blogs, sponsors and professional gamers preparing for an eSport that may even outshine StarCraft 2. Also a part of the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) with $22,000 USD in prizes from the 21-25 of October DotA 2 is PGT’s #2 ranked eSport.

League of Legends with no replays or observer mode forcing commentators to use a separate software that crashes, freezes and delays tournaments is popular. The game is easy to pick up, play without a steep learning curve and best of all free. LoL is one of the most popular eSports today and competing directly with DotA 2 by announcing 5 million USD in tournaments for season 2 the same time DotA 2 launched its million dollar tournament. The money has been pledged and now Riot works to add replays, observer mode and other features to make LoL a successful eSport. League of Legends is a popular fun game and if they can add the features they promise with the 5 million in prizes it can compete with DotA 2. LoL has strong ties with IGN with their appearance at the IPL 3: Origins with a $20,000 USD prize pool. League of legends is ranked #3.

The above make up PGT’s top three eSports next some new developments with the first person shooter genre.

Counter Strike 1.6 Although forgotten by many over the years is still the strongest FPS eSport. For the month of October ESWC Men and Women divisions $58,000. ESEA season 10 $31,150. ESL’s global challenge New York and Guangzhou $80,000 USD. Digifest $10,000.

Also this month for the first time ever Counter Strike Source came close to beating Counter Strike 1.6 in teams registered for ESEA Season 10. 24 hours before the event with 286 CS 1.6 teams and 294 CSS teams, ESEA did a call to arms! They encourage every CS 1.6 fan to get their team together and keep out CSS. Spurred by rivalry a huge influx of teams signed up and registration was extended 24 hours. The result? 346 teams for Counter Strike 1.6 signed up for ESEA season 10, 25 more teams than CSS and 200 more teams in total than ESEA season 9. Counter Strike 1.6  still the strongest FPS eSport Ranked #4.

Modern WareFare 3 sponsored by Microsoft still an unreleased title now an upcoming eSport with a one million dollar tournament ‘Call of Duty XP’ and is ranked #5.

Call of Duty Black Ops, well known eSport from the MLG tour in the US. MLG has PlayStation as their sponsor with over $200,000 in prizes making it ranked #6.

Playstation and Microsoft are now competing sponsors of eSports. With both Black Ops and MW3 released for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers may start choosing what consoles they play on based off of eSports following the prize money. ESports may become the new battlefield for these consoles to compete using their millions in advertising on tournaments. If so it would look like the ball is in Sony’s court and its up to them to show up Microsoft and their one million Call of Duty XP tournament.

DotA 2 vs LoL vs HoN we already listed DotA 2 and LoL in the top three eSports but there has been no mentioned of HoN well here it is!

Heroes of Newerth pushed as an eSport with a $40,000 USD ‘HoN world cup’ at its release and now $40,000 USD prizes for NASL Season 2 it has done little in between. Unlike StarCraft 2, it has failed to inspire self start tours, leagues or any major tournaments and it’s less popular than both DotA 2 and LoL. There have been rumors and tweets of a million dollar tournament by S2 Games staff but no official press release. S2 Games dream of making HoN a successful eSport are fading quickly and when DotA 2 is released may fade away entirely. Ranked #7.

Upcoming Track Mania 2: Canyon. Track Mania Nations Forever has been a popular racing eSport for years and a part of many tournaments. TM2 while in beta is starting to replace TMNF. We are watching closely, calculating our values and will be adding TM2 Canyon to our rankings for November.

Thanks for reading PGT’s October eSport ranking update. For more information about visit: www.ProGamingTours.net