If your kid hasn’t joined the eSports bandwagon yet, they’re going to want to soon.  As “it’s kind of a big deal” right now!  The eSports industry is booming.  So, every gamer, young and old, is getting involved in the next big thing.  Esports, which is short for electronic sports, takes gaming to the next level, broadcasting matches between talented gamers as they compete against one another on a range of digital battlefields. The Australian Esports League (AEL) is a provider of premier eSports competitions in Australia.  It’s an engaging and entertaining sports experience, which attracts both online and live, amateur and elite competitors alike, all across the nation. Below, are a few ways that your young gamer can get amongst the eSports craze in Australia.

BEING INVOLVED IN ESPORTS

Just Start Watching – Twitch

If a gamer is new to the eSports platform, the easiest first step is to find a stream and start watching.  Twitch is a highly popular live streaming video platform.  Plus, a great place to access a wide variety of gaming streams.  Video games are much like any other sport or professional game.  So, you just need to watch the sport to begin understanding how it works.  Doing your research with articles, blogs and websites is always an option.  However, it can prove to be very confusing.  It’s all in the practical.  Therefore, pick a game, observe the small details, that are easy to pick up.  Over time, these details will  soon become second nature to the player .

Ask Your Child What They Want To Follow

eSports offers such a wide array of games to choose from which makes it such a cool thing to get involved in.  Every game is unique and every player can have their own preference.  Whether that’s a fighting game such as the popular Street Fighter V.  Or, a more niche game such as Rocket League or Clash, there are games for everyone’s interests.  Each including a great community vibe once participating. It’s a good idea to get familiar with each genre and scene.  If your game enthusiast is familiar with a certain game, that’s always a good starting point.  However, you may wish to branch out from there.  Perhaps, finding a game they’ve never heard of before is more their thing! Here is a breakdown of a couple of different genres and games to spark your gamer’s interest:

MOBA (Multi Online Battle Arena): 

This format applies to that of two or more teams, placed on opposing sides of a map.  The main aim of the game is to battle towards the enemy.  This makes for a fun challenge.  Also, with details like character selection and map dynamics playing into the team strategy.  Dota2 and League of Legends are two of the most popular ‘Esports’ games that fall into this category.  They follow similar game strategies and principles.  Understanding the constant changes to the games, teams and scene, isn’t difficult.  Which, makes them great introductory games.

Image Credit: comicbook.com

FGC (Fighting Game Community):

This genre of games often holds joint FGC tournaments.  Whereby, players hop between games, with ‘EVO’ being the most well-known multi-game tournament.  Street Fighter V is the most popular game of the FGC genre and is one of the oldest ‘Esports’ games around.  Moreover, the training mode of Street Fighter is easy to follow – it has a lot of settings that will help you recreate any situation that you’re having troubles with.  The player can practice frame traps and combos until they have them committed to memory.  Also, watching the many Youtube videos broadcasted by experienced players within the genre is a great tip for learning more about this style of game.

Starcraft: 

This game is an ‘Esport’ classic.  It’s a fast-paced real-time strategy game in which players control different races to destroy the other team.  It’s similar to a MOBA but falls into its own unique category.  Due to a lack of real variation between games, following the same three races and maps.

Image Credit: trifectanetworksports.com

Rocket League on Xbox One: 

Rocket League features players playing soccer in cars.  It has a small but stable scene within the ‘Esports’ community. Resembling a soccer game, with elements reminiscent of a demolition derby, players in this game control a rocket-powered car.  Using it to hit a ball that is much larger than the cars towards the other team’s goal area to score goals.

Join An eSports Competitive Gaming Program

If your child expresses interest in trying out gaming, the easiest entrance to take into the eSports gaming community is for your child to join a gaming program.

If you’re after a professionally run eSports program, that’s guaranteed to be a hit with all the cool kids, Australian Sports Camps is excited to announce: the first school holiday competitive gaming program hosted in partnership with the Australian eSports League.

The program offers maximum skill-building and engagement.  Also, it offers the best exposure to team-based gaming techniques, tactics and rules in a space that’s enjoyed by all ages.  It’s the perfect opportunity for your child to get involved in eSports. Passionate and experienced instructors, run this eSports Camp over a 2-day, structured program of gaming and gaming tuition.  Moreover, the suitability ranges from first-timers to advanced players.  So, for children aged 6 to 16 years old, it’s ideal.  It features player communication modules and is a great team building environment. In one of the fastest growing industries in the world, your child will receive the best practical coaching and advice, in a fun, educational environment.  The Australian eSports Association (AEA) endorse this program.  Also, Australian Sports Camps are committed to expanding the selection of games and device types on which children can play and learn within the program.  This will be based on ongoing community interest.  The great news is, if your kid has a friend that would be keen on joining too, there’s a fantastic special offer for two or more participants! The practical component of the program features Rocket League on Xbox One.  Whilst, the theoretical component touches on elements of many popular games such as:

• Dota2
• League of Legends
• FIFA 19
• Forza Motorsport 7
• Overwatch
• Hearthstone
• Call of Duty
• Starcraft 2
• Tekken 7
• Rainbow Six Siege

This is the most exciting competitive gaming program in Australia.   Guarantying your child an awesome eSports-time, regardless of whether they want to get involved in Rocket League, League of Legends or FIFA 19!