In recent years game developers have let players explore futuristic worlds through a variety of great video games. Players can explore incredible worlds, play as creative characters, and use a range of skills and powers. While the gaming industry has seen the likes of Rainbow Six, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, take over the esports scene in popularity, there are still classic sci-fi games that are making their mark.
Overwatch
Over the years, Blizzard Entertainment have developed a range of fantastic games for video game enthusiasts. Their main franchises include Diablo, StarCraft, Warcraft, and Overwatch. Each has been so successful that they have become multi-million selling video game franchises. Released in 2016, this action science-fiction game is a multiplayer first-person shooter that quickly became a popular game in esports. Blizzard hosted their own tournament known as the Overwatch World Cup in the same year that the game was released.
Overwatch starts with assigning players into teams of six with players being selected from a large pool of heroes. These heroes have their unique set of abilities that come in handy to help players complete objectives. Over the years Blizzard has added new characters, game mode post releases, and maps all free of charge. According to PC Mag’s article from earlier this year, some of the titles on their list of best esports games for 2021 include Overwatch as well as other popular games such as Apex Legends, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, and Dota 2. Similar to other games, it features colourful levels, creative characters, and multiple game modes that focus on defending and attacking.
StarCraft
Another successful game from Blizzard Entertainment has been StarCraft that has remained popular among fans for many years. The military science fiction game had its first game in 1998 with StarCraft and has grown in popularity ever since. The game is set in the 26th century and focuses on a galactic struggle between four different species who are fighting for dominance. StarCraft takes into account real-time strategy and this was among the many reasons it garnered a massive following.
This game increasingly became popular and professional teams from around the globe would participate in these matches. Worldwide esports tournaments that focus on games such as StarCraft, CS:GO, and League of Legends are also available to bet on too. Popular sites like William Hill provide esports betting for a range of esports tournaments around the world, including tournaments such as the Global StarCraft2 League, where professional players compete by playing StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void.
Halo
Another popular military science fiction franchise that has been dominating the video game industry for years is Halo. Ever since the first game release in 2001, the game has been popular with video gamers and competitive gamers alike. The first-person shooter game has sold millions of copies around the world and inspired a range of media expansion too from graphic novels to animated movies. There have been a range of other games other than the main Halo series including the reclaimer saga and some spin-offs. The game franchise is also continuing to grow with Halo Infinite set to be the sixth main installment in the franchise, due for release in late 2021.
Although Halo 2 was specifically released in 2004 and has some nostalgia for gamers, there are other first person shooters such as Valorant and CS:GO that are dominating the esports scene. However, over the years some of the most notable tournaments for the game have been the Halo Championship series. Fans from around the world can watch some of the best professional gamers play in the Halo 5 Pro Series Season Championships live on both YouTube and Twitch. Some expect the awaited Halo Infinite to boost the franchise popularity again in the esports circuit.
Valorant
Set in the near future, this game is a team-based tactical and first-person shooter developed by Riot Games. It’s a sci-fi action game where players play as one set of agents in a 5 v 5 hero shooter game. Players are assigned either to the attacking team or defending team and each agent has unique abilities to use in the game. Released for Microsoft Windows in June 2020, it’s a relatively new game that has been making a great name for itself so far.
It’s reception has been very positive and has been compared to the likes of other esports games such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Overwatch. It was also nominated for Best Esports Game in The Game Awards 2020 but lost out to League Of Legends; another popular Riot Games title. League of Legends, a MOBA that was released back in 2009, now heavily dominates esports. Just like many other competitive shooters, Valorant is also quickly becoming an active game in the esports industry. In 2021, the Valorant Champions Tour will take place in three stages: Challengers, Masters, and Champions, for players to fight for the champion title.
