Esports Guide for Beginners: What It Is & Why It Matters

Competitive gaming has exploded into a global industry worth billions. Whether you discovered esports through a friend, stumbled on a Twitch stream, or watched the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh — this guide covers everything you need to know to understand, enjoy, and potentially join the world of esports.

What Is Esports?

Esports stands for electronic sports — organized, competitive video gaming at a professional or semi-professional level. Teams and individuals compete in multiplayer games in front of live audiences in arenas and millions of viewers online.

Unlike casual gaming, esports involves structured leagues, seasonal tournaments, team contracts, coaching staff, and prize pools that can reach tens of millions of dollars. The biggest events fill stadiums — the League of Legends World Championship has sold out venues like the Bird's Nest in Beijing and the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Key numbers in 2024 esports:

  • 500+ million esports viewers worldwide
  • $1.8 billion global esports market value
  • Dota 2's The International prize pool: over $40 million
  • 100+ universities offering esports scholarships in the US alone

Why Esports Is a Real Sport

Skeptics often dismiss esports as just gaming, but the physical and mental demands are no less serious than traditional sports. Professional players train 8-12 hours daily, work with coaches and sports psychologists, maintain physical fitness to prevent repetitive strain injuries, and analyze opponents with the same depth as any football or basketball team.

The most significant recognition came at the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where esports was a full medal event. Cambodian, Filipino, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Vietnamese teams competed in games including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, and Dota 2. This cemented esports as a legitimate competitive discipline in Southeast Asia.

Reaction Time

Pro players react in under 150ms — faster than most humans can blink.

Team Strategy

Coordinated 5-player tactics with real-time communication under pressure.

Daily Training

8-12 hours of structured practice, replay review, and physical conditioning.

Top 6 Esports Games to Know

Esports spans many genres. Here are the titles that define the industry globally and in Southeast Asia:

League of Legends (LoL)

MOBA · PC

The most-watched esport globally. 5v5 teams destroy the enemy Nexus. The World Championship (Worlds) draws 70+ million viewers each year.

Dota 2

MOBA · PC

Home to the largest prize pool in esports history ($40M+). Hugely popular in the Philippines, Thailand, and Eastern Europe. Complex, deep, and rewarding.

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)

FPS · PC

The benchmark tactical shooter. Terrorist vs Counter-Terrorist in short rounds. The CS Major Championships attract millions of viewers every season.

Valorant

FPS · PC

Riot Games answer to CS — adding hero abilities to tactical shooting. Rapidly growing in SEA, especially among players aged 16-25.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

MOBA · Mobile

The dominant mobile esport in Southeast Asia. MPL (Mobile Premier League) runs in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond with massive viewership.

PUBG Mobile

Battle Royale · Mobile

100 players, one winner. A medal event at the 2023 Phnom Penh SEA Games. Huge in Cambodia, Vietnam, and South Asia due to low hardware requirements.

How Esports Tournaments Work

Most major esports titles follow a tiered competitive structure that takes players from open qualifiers all the way to global championships.

  1. 1. Open Qualifiers

    Any team can register. Played online with many matches over days or weeks. Only the top teams advance.

  2. 2. Regional Leagues

    Examples: MPL Southeast Asia (Mobile Legends), VCT Pacific (Valorant), ESL Pro League (CS2). Teams play round-robin formats over a full season.

  3. 3. Regional Playoffs

    Top teams from the regular season compete in playoffs — often best-of-3 or best-of-5 matches to determine who earns a spot at the global event.

  4. 4. International Championship

    The Worlds (LoL), The International (Dota 2), PMGC (PUBG Mobile). Held in major cities with live audiences and prize pools worth millions.

How to Watch Esports

Most esports content is free. Here are the main platforms and tips for getting started:

Twitch (twitch.tv)

Best for Western audiences. Follow official game channels and your favorite teams.

YouTube Gaming

VODs of past matches. Great for learning from professional games at your own pace.

Facebook Gaming

Dominant in Southeast Asia. Most MPL and PUBG Mobile SEA streams are on Facebook Live.

In-Game Spectator

Many games like Dota 2, CS2, and LoL let you watch live matches directly inside the game client.

Pro tip: Start by watching one match of your chosen game with the sound on. Commentators explain what is happening in real time — this is the fastest way to learn competitive terminology and strategy.

Career Paths in Esports

You do not have to be a pro player to have a career in esports. The industry employs thousands of people in roles that span gaming, media, technology, and business.

Professional Player
Coach / Analyst
Caster (Commentator)
Content Creator / Streamer
Event Organizer
Esports Journalist
Team Manager
Sponsorship & Marketing
Game Developer (Esports)

University esports programs in South Korea, the United States, and increasingly in Thailand and the Philippines offer scholarships and structured pathways. In Cambodia, local organizations are beginning to support grassroots talent pipelines for Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile.

Esports in Southeast Asia & Cambodia

Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing esports regions in the world, driven by high mobile penetration, young demographics, and passionate gaming communities. The region has produced world-class teams in Mobile Legends (Blacklist International from the Philippines won Worlds twice), Dota 2 (TNC Predator), and PUBG Mobile.

Cambodia moment: Hosting the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh with esports as a medal event put Cambodia on the global esports map. Cambodian players competed in PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends, and the event was watched by tens of millions across the region. Gaming cafes across Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and provincial towns serve as the grassroots training grounds where the next generation of Cambodian esports players develop.

SEA Esports Highlights:

  • Mobile Legends MPL runs in 7 SEA countries with millions of viewers per split
  • Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand lead in player numbers and competitive depth
  • PUBG Mobile is especially strong in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar
  • 2023 Phnom Penh SEA Games — first time Cambodia hosted an esports medal event
  • Facebook Gaming dominates live streaming in the region due to existing user base

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is esports?+
Esports, short for electronic sports, is organized competitive video gaming where individuals or teams compete in multiplayer video games at a professional or semi-professional level. These competitions take place in arenas, online platforms, and stadiums, often in front of large live and streaming audiences. Prize pools can reach millions of dollars, players sign contracts with teams, and tournaments are broadcast on dedicated channels like Twitch, YouTube, and dedicated esports networks. Esports spans dozens of game genres including real-time strategy, first-person shooters, battle royale, fighting games, and sports simulations.
Is esports a real sport?+
Esports is increasingly recognized as a real sport by governments and international organizations. The 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, featured esports as a medal event — making it one of the most high-profile endorsements of competitive gaming in Asia. Players train daily for 8-12 hours, work with coaches and sports psychologists, maintain physical fitness routines, and study opponents with the same rigor as traditional athletes. Cognitive demands such as reaction time, decision-making under pressure, and teamwork mirror those found in physical sports. Countries including South Korea, China, and many in Southeast Asia have national esports federations and government-backed training programs.
What are the most popular esports games?+
The most popular esports games globally include League of Legends (LoL), Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Valorant, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), and PUBG Mobile. In Southeast Asia, mobile titles dominate — Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile draw the largest audiences because smartphones are more accessible than high-end gaming PCs. Dota 2 is especially popular in the Philippines and Thailand. Valorant has grown rapidly among younger players. Each game has its own competitive circuit, seasonal leagues, and world championship tournaments.
How do esports tournaments work?+
Esports tournaments typically follow a structured ladder: open qualifiers to regional leagues to international championships. Open qualifiers let any team try to earn a spot. Regional leagues like MPL Southeast Asia for Mobile Legends run season-long round-robin formats. The top teams then compete at global events such as The International (Dota 2), League of Legends World Championship, or PUBG Mobile Global Championship. Match formats vary — best-of-1 in group stages, best-of-3 or best-of-5 in playoffs. Prize pools range from a few thousand dollars at grassroots events to over $40 million at The International.
How can I watch esports?+
You can watch esports on Twitch (twitch.tv), YouTube Gaming, and game-specific platforms. Most major tournaments are free to watch live. Twitch is the dominant platform for Western audiences, while YouTube and Facebook Gaming are more popular in Southeast Asia. Many games have built-in spectator modes so you can watch directly from the game client. Local tournaments in countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are often streamed on Facebook Live, making them accessible to regional fans without a fast internet connection. Subscribing to official game channels and team channels is the easiest way to stay updated.
Can esports be a career?+
Yes, esports offers multiple career paths beyond just playing professionally. You can become a pro player, coach, analyst, team manager, content creator, caster (commentator), event organizer, journalist, or work in sponsorship and marketing. Game developers hire esports coordinators to run official leagues. University esports programs are growing rapidly in the US, South Korea, and increasingly in Southeast Asia, offering scholarships and pathways into the industry. In Southeast Asia, the mobile esports scene provides opportunities even for players in countries like Cambodia, where grassroots teams now compete in regional PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends circuits.
What is the esports scene like in Cambodia?+
Cambodia made history at the 2023 SEA Games held in Phnom Penh by including esports as a full medal sport — a pivotal moment that energized local gaming culture. The Cambodian esports community is centered around Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile, and Free Fire, primarily played on smartphones due to widespread mobile access. Gaming cafes (net cafes) remain popular hubs for competitive play and casual gaming. Local organizations like the Cambodia Esports Federation are building infrastructure, and Cambodian players have begun competing in regional Mobile Legends circuits. The scene is young and growing fast, with government and private investment increasing year over year.
How do I get started in esports as a beginner?+
To get started in esports, first pick one game and focus on learning it deeply rather than switching between many titles. Watch professional matches to understand high-level strategies, then practice consistently — even 1-2 hours of focused play daily builds skill faster than casual grinding. Join online communities such as Reddit, Discord servers, and Facebook groups for your chosen game. Participate in local or online amateur tournaments to gain experience. Track your progress by reviewing your replays to identify mistakes. If you want a career in esports without playing professionally, develop skills in casting, video editing, event management, or data analysis — all are in high demand in the growing esports industry.

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