Who invented esports: history and evolution of the phenomenon

«Cybersport», or professional competitions in video games, has long surpassed mere gamers’ hobby. It is a global industry that attracts millions of viewers and multimillion-dollar investments. But when and how did cybersport emerge? Who came up with cybersport? Who initiated this industry, and how has it evolved to this day? In this article, we will delve into the history of cybersport, its roots, and key stages of development.

### First Steps: From Video Games to Competitions

The idea of organized competitions in video games arose almost immediately after the games themselves appeared. The first known competition that can be considered a precursor to cybersport took place in 1972 at Stanford University. They played «Spacewar,» one of the earliest computer games. The winner of this tournament received a prize—a subscription to the magazine «Rolling Stone.» This event marked a symbolic starting point for the future industry.

However, the real breakthrough came with the game «Space Invaders,» released in 1978. In 1980, Atari organized the «Space Invaders Championship,» which attracted over 10,000 participants, making it the first mass video game competition. This laid the foundation for what would later become cybersport.

### Birth of the Industry in the 90s

Cybersport, in its modern form, began to take shape in the 1990s. It was during this time that the first multiplayer games like «Doom» and «Quake» appeared, allowing players to compete with each other over the internet. This changed the rules of the game: players could now participate in matches regardless of their location, opening the doors to international tournaments.

One of the pivotal moments in the history of cybersport was the establishment of the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) in 1997, which became the first professional league for gamers. CPL organized tournaments for games like Quake and Counter-Strike, providing prize money, making cybersport commercially attractive.

### Influence of South Korea

The true rise of cybersport occurred in the early 2000s when South Korea became the center of the global cybersport scene. After the Asian financial crisis, the country’s government actively invested in high-speed internet development, leading to a boom in multiplayer games. The game «StarCraft» became iconic in the country, and players of this game began to rise as national stars.

South Korea was also the first country to broadcast cybersport tournaments on television. In 2000, the channel «OnGameNet» was created, which broadcasted StarCraft competitions. This event was a turning point in perceiving cybersport as a legitimate sporting discipline.

### Modern Cybersport

Today, cybersport is a vast industry encompassing numerous games and platforms. Tournaments for games like «Dota 2,» «League of Legends,» and «Counter-Strike: Global Offensive» attract millions of viewers and pay out multimillion-dollar prize pools. «The International,» the largest Dota 2 tournament, reached a record prize pool of over $40 million in 2023.

Cybersport is actively developing not only in the professional but also in the amateur segment. There are numerous leagues where both beginners and experienced players can participate. Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming allow fans to watch games in real-time, strengthening the connection between professionals and their audience.

### Who Came Up with Cybersport?

It would be incorrect to attribute the invention of cybersport to a specific individual. This phenomenon is the result of the evolution of video games, technological progress, and social environment. Pioneers can be considered the developers of the first games, such as «Spacewar» and «Space Invaders,» as well as the organizers of the first tournaments. However, technological advancements like the internet and the growing interest in video games among youth played a key role in the development of cybersport.

### Conclusion

Cybersport is a unique phenomenon that has grown from a small gamer subculture into a global industry with tremendous potential for further growth. Its history is a journey from the first arcade tournaments to multimillion-dollar championships that attract huge audiences. Who came up with cybersport? It is the result of collective efforts aimed at the development of video games and the creation of a new form of entertainment, which eventually evolved into a full-fledged sport discipline.