ESports are fairly new at the collegiate level. While most universities have not adapted to this new idea of gaming joining other athletics, many are beginning to take notice of the sport. There are over 175 colleges that offer varsity ESports scholarships to students who excel in the game. Do you enjoy gaming? Are you looking to get discounted tuition? If so, you are in luck; the following are the most popular games colleges are looking to recruit. So get practicing!
#9: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Are you ready for some nostalgia? Our first game on the list of popular ESports games is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. As Nintendo's flagship fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate allows the player to battle iconic characters from popular video games of the past. Smash Bros. Ultimate has carried a legacy over a couple of generations and is still a popular game today for recreation and the ESports community.
Hint: Popular Esports College, UC Irvine, should be on your radar if you excel in this retro game!
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#8: Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Warzone is a popular tactical shooter game. COD is considered one of the most legendary gaming series, played by more than 250 million people. Warzone is another battle-royale game known for its incredible graphics and enjoyable gameplay. The University of Oklahoma is a popular program that will soon offer scholarships for leagues that include COD: Warzone.
#7: Rainbow Six: Siege
One of the most popular games by the famous Tom Clancy series is Rainbow Six: Siege. Combining strategy, destruction, and gadgets have made this video game successful. Anyone can learn and master the game with practice. One crazy example of this was when a high school esports team entered a Rainbow Six: Siege tournament for fun, and they accidentally ended up on the professional stage due to their unrealized success in the game. Rainbow Six: Siege offers many different game modes and maps, making this premier ESports game very enjoyable.
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#6: Rocket League
Rocket League seems to stand out from the rest in that it is not a game with weapons or the goal of eliminating the enemy. Rocket League is a vehicular soccer game where teams zoom around an arena to get the giant soccer ball into the goal. This arcade-like game captured the attention of millions as an ESports game due to its strategy and coordination required to be successful. The gaming company even offers an esports training league for those interested in improving their skills.
#5: Overwatch
The outstanding first-person shooter game, Overwatch, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, was a pioneer in the FPS and battle royale genre. This game is ever-evolving and is a delicious cocktail for ESports gaming due to its diversity and ability for players to select their own unique character that they believe they have most in common with. Every player chooses their “hero” in the game and gets locked into an intense 6v6 battle. Several collegiate programs offer a variety of scholarships for gamers who excel in Overwatch.
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#4: Fortnite
If you are a gamer, there is no doubt that you have heard of the viral game and cultural phenomenon, Fortnite. In the game, up to 100 players are dropped on a map and forced to collect randomly generated supplies and weapons in hopes of being the last man standing. While it may not have been the first battle-royale game, it expanded the success of similar games and genres in the Esports world.
#3: League of Legends
With over 100 million players worldwide, League of Legends is one of the most popular multiplayer online games ever! League of Legends is a multiplayer, online battle arena game inspired by a custom map from Warcraft III, Defense of Ancients. Some of the most popular universities to offer scholarships for League of Legends players include UC Irvine, Robert Morris University, Columbia College, and the University of Pikeville.
#2: Dota 2
Dota 2 is number 2 on our list, and it is a unique one. It is a sequel to a community-created MOD from the mother series, Defense of the Ancient. Dota is considered the deepest multiplayer RTS (real-time strategy) game available. Each game session is unique and offers over 100 avatars with special abilities. Dota 2 is a prized game in the Collegiate StarLeague, an American league that controls operations of several collegiate esports leagues. University of California Berkeley is a well-known school for their success in Dota 2. It is also important to note that playing Dota 2 as a professional player offers the largest prize pool in the world.
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#1: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike is a legendary series that I am sure you have heard of if this article interested you. This game is considered the most popular series and is one of the world's most popular first-person shooter games. The play focuses on fire-fights between two squads: terrorist and counter-terrorist. While it is fun to play, it takes practice and tactical thinking to master the game and play effectively. One college offering Esports scholarships is The Ashland University Esports team, which was ranked no. 2 in CSGO in the Collegiate Star League in 2020.
Whether you are new to the ESports world or you are just looking to master the most sought-after gaming markets, this list is the best place to start if you are thinking about being on a college ESports team.
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* Originally published on March 3, 2022, by Mary Archibald
