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# Overwatch Takes eSports World by Storm & The Emergence of Sports-Based eSports
- URL: https://tvrev2beta2.ghost.io/overwatch-takes-esports-world-storm-emergence-sports-based-esports/
- Published: 2016-07-01T09:53:04.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-04T01:41:45.000Z
- Author: Jonathan Pan
- Tags: #sqs, #Import 2026-09-03 18:33, Sports, #inferred-channel

**Overwatch Takes eSports World by Storm**The largest development in eSports this month is the massive success of the release of Blizzard's new first-person shooter game: Overwatch. Overwatch breaks 7 million players in its first two weeks and 10 million players by the third week, resulting in an estimated $600 million in revenue.More importantly, Overwatch ends League of Legends' 46 consecutive month record as the number one played game in Korean PC cafes, a key indicator of global popularity as an eSport.This has not gone unnoticed by eSports organizations, with tournament organizers like ESL and One Nation of Gamers scrambling to host events. Blue chip teams like Cloud 9, Luminosity Gaming, and EnvyUs have quickly moved to sign professional teams to compete in these tournaments.In the fast-changing industry that is eSports, one major event, like a successful game launch, can cause massive changes. Overwatch's unprecedented success has coincided with a strong blow to the Heroes of the Storm, also a Blizzard game. A list of teams have departed the game recently: Cloud9, Tempo Storm, CompLexity, Virtus.Pro, and Cognitive.The eSports world is impatiently waiting for Overwatch's esports plans, especially after competitive mode was activated on June 28\. Will Overwatch adopt their traditional tournament system which culminates into a World Championship at their annual Blizzcon? Or will Overwatch build a league system much like League of Legends' LCS structure?**The Emergence of Sports-Based eSports**Sports-based eSports finally made their grand entrance into esports. 2K Games hosted their *Road to the Finals* event for NBA 2K16, Madden NFL 16 crowned a champion and announced a $1 million tournament series next year, and FIFA ran their Interactive World Cup, the Guinness World Record holder for largest video gaming tournament (2.3 million players tried to qualify).All of these events have led eSports pundits to opine on one question: can sports-based eSports be successful as fantasy-based eSports? The eSports team at BRaVe will be tackling that question in our next thought-leadership piece. Stay tuned**THE BIG DEAL**06/21—Tencent has agreed to acquire an 84.3% stake in Supercell, the Finnish gaming company whose titles include Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, from SoftBank at an enterprise value of around $10.2 billion.**DEALS & NEWS**

**Sponsorships**06/02: [Biosteel](http://www.alistdaily.com/media/andy-miller-details-esports-first-biosteel-bench-deal/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ enters into a “bench” deal with NRG](http://www.alistdaily.com/media/andy-miller-details-esports-first-biosteel-bench-deal/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/02: [Comcast partners with ESL and Evil Geniuses](http://corporate.comcast.com/news-information/news-feed/comcast-xfinity-video-games-esports?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/09: [NBA star Gordon](https://pvplive.net/c/gordon-hayward-inks-esports-endorsement-deal-with-?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ Hayward inks ](https://pvplive.net/c/gordon-hayward-inks-esports-endorsement-deal-with-?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[esports](https://pvplive.net/c/gordon-hayward-inks-esports-endorsement-deal-with-?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ endorsement deal with HyperX](https://pvplive.net/c/gordon-hayward-inks-esports-endorsement-deal-with-?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/16: [Bud Light to sponsor esports All Star](http://espn.go.com/esports/story/%5F/id/16254745/bud-light-looking-go-big-esports?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[s](http://espn.go.com/esports/story/%5F/id/16254745/bud-light-looking-go-big-esports?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/23: [Amazon Appstore sponsors ](http://venturebeat.com/2016/06/23/vainglory-snags-amazon-appstore-as-a-major-esports-sponsor/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[Vainglory esports](http://venturebeat.com/2016/06/23/vainglory-snags-amazon-appstore-as-a-major-esports-sponsor/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)

**New Investments & Entrants**06/06: [AT&T](http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/att-chernin-ellation-vrv-1201789476/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ and the ](http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/att-chernin-ellation-vrv-1201789476/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[Chernin](http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/att-chernin-ellation-vrv-1201789476/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ group to unveil ](http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/att-chernin-ellation-vrv-1201789476/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[gaming subscription](http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/att-chernin-ellation-vrv-1201789476/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/07: [La ](http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/59046/valencia-cf-create-an-esports-team---.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[Liga](http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/59046/valencia-cf-create-an-esports-team---.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ club Valencia CF ](http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/59046/valencia-cf-create-an-esports-team---.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[starts an ](http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/59046/valencia-cf-create-an-esports-team---.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[esports](http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/59046/valencia-cf-create-an-esports-team---.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ team](http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/59046/valencia-cf-create-an-esports-team---.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ ](http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/59046/valencia-cf-create-an-esports-team---.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/09: [EPL team ](http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/9/11896322/manchester-united-overwatch-team-fnatic?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[Manchester](http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/9/11896322/manchester-united-overwatch-team-fnatic?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ United in bidding war with ](http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/9/11896322/manchester-united-overwatch-team-fnatic?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[esports](http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/9/11896322/manchester-united-overwatch-team-fnatic?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ team Fnatic](http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/9/11896322/manchester-united-overwatch-team-fnatic?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/09: [Forge locks down $4.5 million Series A investment led by](https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/09/forge-locks-down-4-5m-series-a-to-help-gamers-capture-awesomeness/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ True Ventures](https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/09/forge-locks-down-4-5m-series-a-to-help-gamers-capture-awesomeness/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/09: [Gamer Sensei raises $](http://venturebeat.com/2016/06/10/gamer-sensei-is-an-esports-coaching-startup-with-2-3m-in-seed-funding/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[2.5 million Series Seed round](http://venturebeat.com/2016/06/10/gamer-sensei-is-an-esports-coaching-startup-with-2-3m-in-seed-funding/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/12: [EA plans to award $1 million to top Madden NFL players](http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-electronic-arts-esports-20160610-snap-story.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/15: [German ](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/275043/ESL%5FOne%5FFrankfurt%5Flive%5Fand%5Fexclusive%5Fon%5FSPORT1%5FGermanfreeTV%5Fto%5Fbroadcast%5Fesports.php?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[free-TV channel SPORT1 ](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/275043/ESL%5FOne%5FFrankfurt%5Flive%5Fand%5Fexclusive%5Fon%5FSPORT1%5FGermanfreeTV%5Fto%5Fbroadcast%5Fesports.php?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[partners with ESL ](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/275043/ESL%5FOne%5FFrankfurt%5Flive%5Fand%5Fexclusive%5Fon%5FSPORT1%5FGermanfreeTV%5Fto%5Fbroadcast%5Fesports.php?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/16: [SkyTV](http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/16/sky-uk-esports-tv-channel-sky-itv?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ to air 24/7 ](http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/16/sky-uk-esports-tv-channel-sky-itv?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[esports](http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/16/sky-uk-esports-tv-channel-sky-itv?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ channel, GINX Esports TV, on television](http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/16/sky-uk-esports-tv-channel-sky-itv?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/16: [Bethesda to jump into esports with Quake Champions](http://www.alistdaily.com/media/bethesda-jumps-esports-vr/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/21: [Dalian Wanda will distribute esports documentary](http://variety.com/2016/film/news/e-gaming-documentary-game-fever-dalian-wanda-1201800162/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/24:[ CBLoL finals to be streamed live on Brazilian TV](http://esportsobserver.com/cblol-finals-to-be-streamed-live-on-brazilian-tv/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/27: [Canal+ sponsors eSports team and launches eSports show](http://esportsobserver.com/french-tv-canal-to-launch-weekly-esports-show-by-september/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)**Industry News & Partnerships**06/01: [Rocket League tops $110 million in sales](http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2016/06/01/as-rocket-league-sales-top-110-million-psyonix-looks-to-the-future/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/06: [Blizzard integrates ](http://venturebeat.com/2016/06/06/facebook-to-provide-login-and-live-video-for-blizzards-overwatch-game/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[Overwatch](http://venturebeat.com/2016/06/06/facebook-to-provide-login-and-live-video-for-blizzards-overwatch-game/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ with Facebook](http://venturebeat.com/2016/06/06/facebook-to-provide-login-and-live-video-for-blizzards-overwatch-game/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/08: [Russia recognizes ](http://www.gosugamers.net/lol/news/35793-russia-to-officially-recognise-esports-from-june-17?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[esports as official sport](http://www.gosugamers.net/lol/news/35793-russia-to-officially-recognise-esports-from-june-17?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/10: [ESL to host Overwatch competition with six figure prizepool](http://www.eslgaming.com/article/esl-host-first-international-overwatch-competition-six-figure-prize-pool-gamescom-2016-2925?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/14: [Overwatch](http://www.cnet.com/news/overwatch-hits-10-million-players-in-under-a-month/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ hits 10 million players in under a month](http://www.cnet.com/news/overwatch-hits-10-million-players-in-under-a-month/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/16: [Activision Blizzard’s produces ](http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/06/16/activision-blizzard-spins-skylanders-into-netflix.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[Skylander’s](http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/06/16/activision-blizzard-spins-skylanders-into-netflix.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ TV show on Netflix](http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/06/16/activision-blizzard-spins-skylanders-into-netflix.html?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/17:[ IeSF taking steps that ](http://www.dailydot.com/esports/iesf-athletes-commission-olympics/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[aim for Olympic committee recognition.](http://www.dailydot.com/esports/iesf-athletes-commission-olympics/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)**Interesting Reads**06/09: [Scripted TV is dying](http://adage.com/article/media/scripted-tv/304423/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/13: [Brands are betting on esports](http://digiday.com/brands/brands-betting-esports/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/20: [ELeague analyst m0E made backdoor deal with betting website.](http://www.esportsbettingreport.com/m0e-kept-money-skins-site-engaged-fraud-exposed/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/22: [Sponsor bans draw attention to top down governance in esports](http://shoryuken.com/2016/06/22/we-esports-now-capcoms-sponsor-ban-introduces-the-fgc-to-top-down-governance/?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)06/27: [Overwatch overtakes ](http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/27/12039938/overwatch-most-popular-game-pc-bang-stats?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[LoL](http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/27/12039938/overwatch-most-popular-game-pc-bang-stats?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)[ at Korean PC Bangs](http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/27/12039938/overwatch-most-popular-game-pc-bang-stats?ref=tvrev2beta2.ghost.io)