List of Esports Games: Competitive Esports Examples

Professional esports competitions span multiple distinct genres, each requiring specialized skills and strategic approaches. The industry primarily centers around five core categories: multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games, first-person shooters (FPS), real-time strategy (RTS) titles, fighting games, and sports simulations. Analysis of viewership data and tournament participation reveals that MOBA games consistently dominate the competitive landscape, with titles like League of Legends and Dota 2 generating millions of viewers and prize pools exceeding $40 million annually. FPS games follow closely, particularly Counter-Strike and Valorant, which showcase precision-based gameplay that translates well to spectator entertainment. These competitive esports examples demonstrate how different genres appeal to varied skill sets and audience preferences.

Professional players dedicate significant time to mastering their chosen games, often specializing in single titles to reach elite performance levels. Tournament structures vary by genre, with some featuring seasonal leagues while others operate on circuit-based systems. Prize distribution has grown substantially, with top-tier events now offering seven-figure total payouts. Regional competitions feed into international championships, creating clear pathways for emerging talent to progress through competitive ranks and establish professional careers within the esports ecosystem.

Action Game Genres

Fighting Games

Fighting games established the foundation for modern competitive gaming, with structured tournaments emerging in the late 1990s. These one-on-one competitions originated from arcade culture, where players would gather to test their skills against local opponents. The transition to console platforms expanded accessibility while maintaining the intense, skill-based gameplay that defines the genre. Tournament formats typically feature bracket-style elimination rounds, emphasizing individual player mastery of complex move sets and strategic timing.

• Street Fighter series
• Super Smash Bros. series
• Tekken series
• Mortal Kombat series
• Marvel vs. Capcom series
• Killer Instinct

First-Person Shooters (FPS)

FPS games represent the most commercially successful segment of competitive gaming, generating substantial prize pools and viewership numbers. These competitive esports examples demonstrate how simulated combat scenarios translate into highly strategic team-based competitions. Professional FPS tournaments require precise coordination, tactical planning, and split-second decision-making across various match formats including elimination rounds and objective-based gameplay modes.

• Counter-Strike series
• Call of Duty series
• Halo series
• Doom
• Quake series
• Overwatch
• Valorant
• Rainbow Six: Siege

Third-Person Shooters

• Gears of War
• Garena Free Fire
• PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
• Splatoon 2

Strategy Game Genres

Real-Time Strategy (RTS)

RTS games require players to manage resources, build armies, and execute tactical decisions simultaneously in fast-paced environments. These competitive esports examples showcase strategic depth through real-time resource management and military positioning. Professional tournaments demonstrate the genre’s complexity, demanding exceptional multitasking abilities and strategic thinking from elite competitors.

• StarCraft
• StarCraft II
• Warcraft III
• Age of Empires series

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)

MOBA games represent a distinct evolution from real-time strategy titles, emphasizing strategic team coordination over resource management. These competitive esports examples showcase how five-player teams control specialized heroes with unique abilities, creating complex tactical scenarios. Success requires precise positioning, timing, and communication between teammates to secure objectives and eliminate opponents.

• League of Legends
• Dota 2
• Smite
• Heroes of the Storm
• Arena of Valor
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Vainglory

Simulation Game Genres

Sports Games

• FIFA series
• Madden NFL series
• NBA 2K
• Pro Evolution Soccer
• Rocket League

Racing Games

• Formula 1 Esports Series
• Gran Turismo World Series
• iRacing
• Trackmania

Deck-Building Card Games

• Hearthstone
• Shadowverse
• Magic: The Gathering Arena

Puzzle Games

• Puyo Puyo
• Tetris

Other Competitive Games

• Pokémon
• World of Warcraft
• World of Tanks
• War Thunder
• Clash Royale
• Clash of Clans
• Microsoft Excel (Excel World Championship)
• GeoGuessr

Conclusion

The esports industry has transformed from niche gaming competitions into a massive global phenomenon spanning multiple platforms and genres. Traditional PC-based shooters and strategy titles now compete alongside mobile games and emerging competitive formats for audience attention. This evolution has created a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem that rivals traditional sports in terms of viewership, investment, and professional opportunities. Major tournaments regularly attract millions of viewers worldwide, while professional players earn substantial salaries through sponsorships and prize pools.