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ScarDuck14's avatar
ScarDuck14
Legend
2 years ago

Has the E-Sports bumble burst?

I’m referring to all E-Sports. However although I do follow F1 E-Sports I’ve never really  understood why so many believe it’s some hugely followed sport.  Only people I know that follow F1  E-Sports are those of us that make up the core player base off game plus other racing sims.  I know countless people who follow love F1 and go to Silverstone every year aswell as other races across Europe.  When. I talk about  F1 E-Sports and mention Lucas or  Jarno…  not a single person thus far knows who I’m talking about. 

Anyway came across this video from a YouTuber and I’m not willing to say he’s right.  But I’ve watched many of his videos over the years and the guy does his research.   And I’m inclined to agree with him.   And if his take his right.  Then you can be sure FOM know far more and could well be the reason why they are reluctant to commit to E-Sports.   I know and talk to a whole lot of people from just about  every demographic on a daily basis.  And only people that like gaming as much as me.  Are under the age of 15.   

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uyovZYEWYAE

7 Replies

  • Cpayne32's avatar
    Cpayne32
    Hero+
    2 years ago
    @ScarDuck14 The Esports scene was always well run previously.

    My take on how to fix it is instead of travelling around the world, there should be a set location (ie. London or Silverstone) that the drivers go to for LAN events.

    What hasn’t helped either is the whole Ronhaar debate (i don’t think i need to go into it). I think with any controversy that gets blown out of proportion its the event that suffers.

    Also the prize pool issues is another reason. If F1 are contributing im sure they can give more than a $750,000 prize pool considering how popular the sport is getting

    Overall i don’t see the esports scene for f1 surviving much longer if at all unless it gets more care
  • ScarDuck14's avatar
    ScarDuck14
    Legend
    2 years ago

    @Cpayne32The issue isnt whether it’s run well or not. legitimate investors in E-Sports are not seeing the returns they expected. I’m guessing but during lockdown they see massive increase in numbers following various E-Sports. So FOMO they jumped on it gambling that E-Sports would retain those numbers post lockdown. However that hasn’t been the case. F1 E-Sports during lockdown I believe was getting hundreds of thousands of viewers during live streams. Post lockdown before Ronhaar blew up. Dropped to just thousands. Even when I’ve watched PSGL and WOR. I’ve never seen more than a few thousand live viewers.

    As for F1 giving more money.  They refused to pay for the travelling expenses for the drivers to get to the event.  

  • seichrotierer's avatar
    seichrotierer
    New Vanguard
    2 years ago

    I honestly (and sadly) think F1 Esports is a dead horse. Why should a relevant number of people bother to watch it when you can have the same IRL? F1 Esports offers nothing on top of that, that would attract F1 fans to watch it. Its just a copy of a real-live event without anything added. Same cars, same tracks, same rules. But not the same drivers - instead names that 99.99% of F1 fans have never heard of.

    It was a welcome interim solution for a short period during Covid when F1 races where cancelled.

    That may not be true for other Esports where you can see things that have no correspondence IRL though.

    EDIT: even for me it's not attractive, even though in love F1 AND simracing ..... ;-)

  • ScarDuck14's avatar
    ScarDuck14
    Legend
    2 years ago
    @seichrotierer I agree. A huge part of F1 attractions is the development battles between the teams plus the real and always present danger that something could go seriously wrong on track. Adding to the anticipation and excitement.
  • SteveJackson's avatar
    SteveJackson
    Hero (Retired)
    2 years ago
    @seichrotierer wrote:

    I honestly (and sadly) think F1 Esports is a dead horse. Why should a relevant number of people bother to watch it when you can have the same IRL? F1 Esports offers nothing on top of that, that would attract F1 fans to watch it. Its just a copy of a real-live event without anything added. Same cars, same tracks, same rules. But not the same drivers - instead names that 99.99% of F1 fans have never heard of.

    It was a welcome interim solution for a short period during Covid when F1 races where cancelled.

    That may not be true for other Esports where you can see things that have no correspondence IRL though.

    EDIT: even for me it's not attractive, even though in love F1 AND simracing ..... ;-)

    I've always found the spectating of gameplay a bit weird. "When is it my turn?"

  • Radarkasten's avatar
    Radarkasten
    New Veteran
    2 years ago

    In my oppinion the official F1 game is sadly the wrong Platform for e-sports. I remember watching the first races in 2020, not e-sports, but the promotional races with Leclerc and Russell. It was ridicolous to be honest and was a wasted Chance to interest the Main stream. And then the cheat allegations in 22... Those really did damage to the reputation of that sports, at least for me.

    It's a shame, some of them like Jarno are great characters and it would be cool to have them compete in a serious sim for a championship Partnering the F1 rather than a simcade.

    Just my oppinion, for me simcade is just right, for a serious championship I would expect more.

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