Most Popular Competitive Games in Esports: Complete List 2024
The world of esports features a diverse range of competitive video games across different genres. Here are the main games that dominate the professional esports scene:
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
- League of Legends (LoL): The most-watched esport globally, featuring 5v5 team battles
- Dota 2: Known for its complex gameplay and record-breaking prize pools
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang: A popular mobile MOBA with a strong Asian following
First-Person Shooters (FPS)
- Counter-Strike 2 (CS2): The latest iteration of the tactical shooter series
- VALORANT: Riot Games' tactical shooter combining gunplay with unique character abilities
- Overwatch 2: A team-based hero shooter with distinct roles and objectives
- Call of Duty: Features both traditional multiplayer and battle royale formats
Battle Royale
- Fortnite: Combines building mechanics with last-player-standing gameplay
- PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS: Known for its realistic military-style combat
- Apex Legends: Fast-paced combat with hero-based abilities
Fighting Games
- Street Fighter 6: The latest entry in the iconic fighting series
- Mortal Kombat 1: Features both offline and online competitive scenes
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Nintendo's crossover fighting game
Sports Games
- FIFA (now EA SPORTS FC): The leading competitive soccer game
- NBA 2K: Professional basketball simulation
- Rocket League: Unique combination of soccer and vehicular gameplay
Strategy Games
- StarCraft II: The traditional RTS esports heavyweight
- Age of Empires IV: Historical real-time strategy game
Card Games
- Hearthstone: Blizzard's digital card game with regular tournaments
- Magic: The Gathering Arena: Digital version of the popular trading card game
These games host regular tournaments with significant prize pools and professional leagues. New titles constantly emerge in the esports scene, while some older games maintain their competitive relevance through updates and strong community support.
The inclusion of a game in esports typically depends on several factors: competitive depth, spectator appeal, publisher support, and community engagement. Most major esports titles receive regular updates to maintain competitive balance and viewer interest.