Think you got what it takes to play professionally? If you are considering turning pro, these games are the most profitable on the gaming circuit.
The professional esports industry in Canada is well-developed. The country ranks 10th on the list of the best players in the world. Based on surveys, Counter-Strike is the most popular team game in Canada. However, among individual players, DOTA II takes the top spot for popularity and earnings. Some top Canadian players like Artour Babaev have raked over $2.5 million from their tournaments.
Collectively, e-sport players in Canada have earned over $35 million in over 7,852 competitions. Some of the most popular games played in these tournaments include
Dota II
Short for Defense of the Ancients II, DOTA is a mainstay of the MOBA/multiplayer online battle arena gaming community. This game is created by Valve Corporation and is famous for its free-to-play setup.
Dota 2’s action-based gameplay lets players choose from over 100 characters, each with their own lore. The game operates in real time and requires experience and strategy to master. Each playable Hero on Dota 2 has a unique ability and playing style that competitive gamers need to familiarize themselves with.
This game is known to rake in big bucks, with cash pots in international tournaments sometimes going up to $30 million. Enthusiasts can also show support for their favorite team/player by wagering on them at esports betting sites like unikrn. One of the most well-known tournaments is the annual Dota II Championship. The prize pool for this event easily reaches millions via sponsorships and crowdfunding.
Fortnite
Since its release in 2017, Fortnite has become the battle royale game to beat!
A third-person online, this game is so popular that it once hosted over 12.3 million players in a single session. Helmed by Epic Games and People Can Fly, Fortnite is available on almost every gaming platform. The gameplay is simple and effective- up to 100 players enter the servers and battle it out in increasingly small environments.
The game continues until only one player is left in the contracted space. In a Fortnight Battle Royale event, the objective is thus to stay alive as long as possible. The most famous tournament is the Fortnite World Cup, which began in 2019. The prize pool for the event reaches well over $30 million. For the first tournament, the developers Epic Games provided a whooping prize pool of $100 million.
Counter Strike
One cannot discuss first-person shooters without mentioning Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Often shortened as CS: GO, this tactics-based game was developed by Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment. Counter-Strike’s professional tournament pits a team of counter-terrorists against a group of terrorists in multiple rounds. Gamers can win by either completing the mission or killing the opposite team. Despite being over ten years old, this game is still one of the most popular titles in the gaming community.
Counter Strike uses a classic, tried, and tested gameplay to offer a no-frills experience. However, compared to its other titles, Valve typically provides a lower prize pool for Counter Strike. In the past, the amount was restricted to $250,000. Because of this issue, the developers faced criticism. In addition, players were enraged because Valve offered a multi-million dollar cash prize tournament for their other game (DOTA II).
Fortunately, gamers can enter other leagues like Eleague Major, which have a $1 million+ prize. Additionally, Canada has over 22 active CS squads, which have raked in $1,480,362 in prize money.
League of Legends
As far as MOBA games go, League of Legends is one of the most well-known titles, thanks to Riot Games’ extensive marketing.
Competitive gamers can register for the developers’ annual League of Legends Championship Series. Generally, the prize pool for this tournament is usually over $2 million. Although a comparatively lower figure, the idea behind a smaller prize is to create a long-term scene for competitive gameplay. To back this sustainability model, the creators offer players salaries too for participating in the Series.
Riot Games’ offering incorporates various elements of MOBA gameplay and integrates elements like real-time strategy, role play, and tower defense. These inclusions make League of Legends one of the most visible examples of multiplayer online battle arena games. In addition, the role-playing abilities and the well-developed equipment work also make it enticing for professional players. For the Championship Series, gamers are divided into two even teams of Champions, 3v3 or 5v5. Each unit is then placed on the opposite sides of the map. For the Series, ten teams are selected from each continent.
Rocket League
Mixing fast cars and soccer, Rocket League was a sleeper hit when introduced in 2015.
This game is developed by Psyonix. The developers first released the title for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation, with later Xbox One, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch options.
Though it is not a real-time league game like others on the list, Rocket League holds its own. Started in 2016, the Rocket League Championship Series offers a prize pool of up to $1 million. For this tournament, two teams of one to four players are chosen. The gameplay uses the rules of soccer. The only difference is that high-speed cars tackle the ball instead of players and score goals.
The thrilling graphics, the superb controls, and the maddeningly addictive shots make Rocket League one of the most popular esports games in Canada.
Conclusion
Rounding off the list of the top 10 popular games in Canadian esports communities are Hearthstone, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, VALORANT, and Starcraft II. Aside from these titles, Canadian players have also won in games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Halo 5, Aim Gods, and more.
