Android mobile games have helped give rise to a new age of eSports, attracting the next generation of competitive gamers who are forming professional teams to compete on the global stage. According to Esports Charts, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was the most popular of all Android mobile games in 2021. It totaled 386.8 million hours of watched footage for competitive Mobile Legends action, with 3.1 million viewers watching simultaneously at its peak.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is known as a mobile multiplayer online battle arena game that provides an all-action opportunity to play with friends and strangers alike. Within the arena, the concept is two five-a-side teams locking horns attempting to defend their own towers and attack the enemy’s tower. Originally, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was most popular in Southeast Asia but has since garnered global appeal. Almost half (44%) of the game’s revenue is now generated outside of Asia. Mobile Legends has since rivaled the likes of League of Legends, producing some of the most covered events by sportsbooks that price up the biggest eSports competitions.
There is no doubt that eSports has grown in popularity among those who place bets on competitive sports. The industry is listed alongside the likes of ATP and WTA tennis, as well as NBA and European basketball leagues, as one of the leading sports markets. Live streams of the biggest eSports tournaments are helping this growth, allowing viewers to take real-time positions based on the outcome of the latest games and maps. The global demand for eSports events is one of the main reasons for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
If you’re an avid player of Android mobile games, we’ve put together a cluster of the other titles that have evolved into fully-fledged eSports games and professions for gamers across the globe.
PUBG Mobile
In 2020, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile was considered “top dog” among the leading mobile eSports titles. In 2021, although it has been somewhat usurped by Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile remains the second most-watched game, with 216.7 million hours streamed of live broadcasts from PUBG Mobile events.
Today, each major continent has its own PUBG Mobile Club Open, whereby regional events take place. The winners of these regional opens then qualify for the PUBG Mobile Pro League that’s sponsored and funded by the game’s headline publisher, Tencent Games. In both Europe and Asia, these leagues carry immense prize purses worth $150,000+.
Garena Free Fire
In 2019, 111dots Studio’s Garena Free Fire battle royale game became the most downloaded mobile game on the planet. It ended that year grossing more than $1 billion worldwide, cementing itself as one of the most successful Android mobile titles. This all-action affair sees up to 50 human players involved per match, landing on an island and attempting to be the last player standing.
As far as its success in the eSports realm goes, Free Fire has certainly established itself as a major force to be reckoned with. In 2019, the Free Fire World Series was unveiled, followed by the Free Fire Continental Series. The most recent World Series was hosted in May 2021 in Singapore, with the event yielding an eye-watering $2 million prize purse. The 2022 World Series is once again scheduled to be hosted on Singapore’s Sentosa Island in mid-May.
Arena of Valor
Arena of Valor was formerly known as Strike of Kings, with Arena of Valor created as the global adaptation from the original launched in mainland China. It was published to Google Play by Level Infinite in the fall of 2016 and this is another example of a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game becoming an eSports phenomenon. It was one of six eSports titles showcased at the 2018 Asian Games, as well as the 2019 Southeast Asian Games as a demonstration sport.
Ahead of the 2022 Asian Games, it has been confirmed that Arena of Valor will be a legitimate medal event. This is a remarkable development given that it started out with humble beginnings as an Android mobile game.
These are just three of many examples of the shining lights in the Android mobile gaming scene. These titles not only serve the needs of the casual gaming community on Android 12 and older operating systems, but they also give gamers a chance to showcase their skills and expertise even on less common niche screens.
2022-03-08 15:06:49