In the booming business of eSports with big tournaments, massive sponsorships, and millions of viewers, a question arises: are browser games capable of carving a niche in competitive gaming? Accessibility and simplicity are two of the hallmarks that generally make browser games a trifle compared to high-stakes console and PC titles. However, with titles such as crash games and strategy games building some followings, browser games might be ready to break that trend. GGBet is one of many online platforms that enable fans to follow the growth of eSports and win, and maybe in the future, browser games will have a place in it.
Let’s have a deeper look into the unique advantages and challenges this style of game presents in the context of eSports, highlighting a selection that has already managed to find a competitive scene as an example to examine growth potential further.
What Makes Browser Games Unique?
Probably one of the most renowned characteristics of browser games is how accessible they are. For players at the game level, no powerful PCs, consoles, or special equipment are needed, but a stable connection to the Internet and a device capable of running a web browser will be needed. This makes them highly inclusive, allowing more and more players to take part in playing and being competitive within the gaming environment. Unlike traditional eSports titles, most browser games require no big downloads or installations hence, they are quick to access and straightforward to start.
Development and updating for browser games can also go quicker because they are easier to code and host overall. In games that work on a regular update cycle, developers can introduce new levels, characters, or features much faster, letting the players’ experience stay fresh.
Browser Games Already Out with Competitive Potential
While browser games don’t really cut the cloth for eSports material, a few have built active communities and competitive circles around themselves. Examples include:
- Slither.io: A renewal of the classic Snake game, Slither.io has an extremely active competitive community wherein players chase high scores and unique achievements. There are no formal tournaments just yet, but the popularity proves the interest in a competitive scene is there.
- Krunker.io: This first-person shooter has grown in stature, with a very active following out there – even community-run tournaments have begun cropping up for the game. Simple, pixelated graphics and fast gameplay, and this is a favorite of many, even among the competitive crowd.
- Crash Games: Many players who have been in the online casino world have probably played some variation of a crash game. It involves a multiplier that constantly increases until it crashes, at which point players choose to “cash out” to get a reward or risk everything. This high-stakes aspect of crash games includes a feel of excitement and can be quite competitive between players since many compete toward getting a higher reward.
- Agar.io: This is a strategy and positioning game in which the user must consume smaller cells to avoid getting engulfed by larger ones. It has a multiplayer mode where the battle comes right down to the last cell standing. This has yet to hit the limelight in the eSports world, but an active community competes on the leaderboards for high scores.
Advantages of Browser Games in Competitive Gaming
While browser games currently hold a small share in eSports, they come with several important advantages that could make them grow in the competitive scene: unlike most traditional eSports games, browser games do not require high-end devices or expensive software. The door is opened for players from different backgrounds and regions, giving greater potential to a broader player base. Most browser games are designed to have simple mechanics. Hence, they are easily accessible and very simple to play. This could also be a virtue for casual eSports fans who are intimidated by more complex mechanics from other popular eSports games.
Most browser games are designed for quick rounds, allowing players to engage in several matches within a very short period. This will be more appealing to both viewers and competitors who want to see less drag in gameplay. According to Statista, in 2022, the market revenue of mobile and browser games was around 77.2 billion dollars worldwide, and much of that success has to do with just how easily accessible these games are. It is this accessibility factor that may make browser games attractive as a lower-investment entry point for eSports expansion.
Challenges Facing Browser Games in the eSports World
While accessibility and ease are the selling points of browser games, they actually come at a disadvantage in terms of competing with well-established eSport titles along the following lines. Unlike traditional eSports games that boast leagues, sponsorships, and dedicated streaming platforms, browser games clearly lack infrastructural support for large tournaments. Browser games are not able to boast the great graphics and complexity to entice those gamers who religiously play League of Legends or CS: GO. For many fans in eSports, this is also part of the visuals and complexity that attracted them to it.
Most eSports events depend highly on sponsorships and advertising revenue. At this point in time, browser games do not attract that type of financial backing, which makes it difficult to establish high-stakes competitions. According to a report by Newzoo, global eSports revenue reached almost $1.1 billion in 2022, much of that coming from media rights, sponsorships, and publisher fees courtesy of high-end PC and console games. Most of the latter types of support are generally unavailable for browser games, which limits their potential prize pools and top player attractions.