The esports industry, currently experiencing a rapid surge in popularity, is increasingly becoming a subject of scientific scrutiny. This interest extends beyond the anecdotal and into the realm of academic research.
The Decade of Esports Research
Over the last decade, esports research has flourished alongside the industry’s growth. The volume of scientific publications on esports has spiked dramatically, with nearly 95% of all research emerging in this period, half of which was published in 2020 and 2021 alone.
Challenges in Esports Research
The recent proliferation of esports articles presents both opportunities and challenges for researchers. This surge has led to thematic dispersion, making it difficult to synthesize and organize existing knowledge. To address this, scholars are turning to bibliographic and bibliometric reviews.
Bibliometric Reviews: A Quantitative Approach
Unlike traditional bibliographic reviews, bibliometric methods rely on quantitative criteria to uncover intellectual connections and theoretical foundations within esports research.
Landmark Research by Esports Academics
A significant paper published on December 27, 2023, by José Torres-Pruñonosa, Benito Pérez-González, Miquel-Angel Plaza-Navas, and Víctor Jordan-Vallverdú, delineates the primary research areas in esports using a bibliometric analysis of co-citations:
- Birth of the Esports Industry
- Gaming-Related Disorders
- Betting in Esports
- Performance Consequences in Esports
- Defining Esports
- Consumer Behavior
- MOBA (Massive Online Battle Arena)
- Effects of Gaming on Player Behavior
- Player Experiences
- Online Communities
- Learning Effects in Gaming
Future Research Directions
This paper also outlines future research trajectories for academics to explore in the coming years, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the evolving esports landscape.
The Evolution of Esports: A Decade of Academic Insight
The ongoing expansion of esports research not only underscores the sector’s growing significance but also highlights the need for systematic study to understand its multifaceted impact. As the industry continues to evolve, so too will the academic exploration into its many dimensions.