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Everything You Need to Know About eSoccer
Pro video gaming isn’t the only electronic sport surging in popularity these days. In this post-pandemic world, eSoccer is rapidly becoming as compelling as the real-life sport that it’s based on.
As a footie fan, it’s a dream come true: you can now follow and support your favourite teams both in person and in the digital realm with games like FIFA. What's more, eSoccer, like other eSports sectors, has built up such a substantial following in the past few years that it has become highly popularised even among players and audiences who’ve never set foot in a stadium. This has led plenty of bookmakers to open varied betting markets, giving you the option to back your top clubs as they play in real life and in the virtual realm.
Although they’ve mostly gained prominence here in the Digital Age, football simulation games have been a core part of the video gaming industry since home gaming first became mainstream back in the 1970s. As gaming tech became ever more innovative in the wake of Year 2K, the profile of eSports and professional competitive gaming grew significantly. eSports is now a thriving industry worth over $1.38 billion according to Statista, and electronic soccer games are a valuable part of the ecosystem.
The two main football-based sports simulation games played on the eSports circuit are EA Sports’ FIFA series and Konami’s eFootball Championship Pro — formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). Nowadays, FIFA is the most played and most-streamed eSoccer game, pulling in audiences in their millions across streaming platforms like Twitch, but for a long while PES held the top spot. Suffice it to say, eSoccer events in some form or another have been played at eSports tournaments since they first began, but they started to catch the attention of traditional footie fans during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Obviously, digital football will never take the place of watching physical matches in stadiums home and away and some dyed-in-the-wool fans may find it less engaging or authentic, but there are plenty of reasons why you should get involved with it. Unlike real life, there’s no off-season for eSoccer. Digital tournaments and leagues in games like FIFA typically run throughout the year, which means a continuous fix of competitive football action.
Another pro of eSoccer for anyone interested in sports betting is that digital matches supply added opportunities to place wagers and back teams and players. Betting on eSoccer can even be a more approachable way for total newbies to get involved with the pastime too, since the options available can be more flexible and real-time than those offered during traditional matches.
As with any form of betting, placing wagers on eSoccer requires a strategic approach and careful research. If you’re already following teams and players in real life, most of the research will already be done for you, since what’s happening in the actual Premier League, Bundesliga, etc. influences what’s happening in the digital realm too. Other than that, familiarise yourself with the dynamics of the specific edition of the game you’re following. Although they all belong to the same overarching franchise, there are variations in gameplay between FIFA 23 and FIFA 22 that can affect predictable outcomes.
It’s also important to develop your knowledge of football betting lines and the ones that are unique to eSoccer. Standard betting lines include things like predicting the final score, predicting over/under goals for the entire match and predicting the eventual match winner. You might also be able to play digital-specific markets that incorporate live betting action, such as the next player or team to score a goal mid-match.
Finally, you should always set realistic expectations when betting on eSoccer to ensure you don’t wager more than you can afford to lose. Proper bankroll management is key to any betting activities, so be disciplined with your strategy and don’t chase losses.
As a footie fan, it’s a dream come true: you can now follow and support your favourite teams both in person and in the digital realm with games like FIFA. What's more, eSoccer, like other eSports sectors, has built up such a substantial following in the past few years that it has become highly popularised even among players and audiences who’ve never set foot in a stadium. This has led plenty of bookmakers to open varied betting markets, giving you the option to back your top clubs as they play in real life and in the virtual realm.
Unlike traditional football, you don’t need a particular skill set or talent for the beautiful game to play eSoccer, nor do you even need to be an experienced punter to bet on the outcome of digital events, thanks to the wealth of eSoccer betting tips at platforms like Thunderpick. If you’re curious about this burgeoning eSport, keep reading for everything you need to know.
The Rise of eSoccer
Although they’ve mostly gained prominence here in the Digital Age, football simulation games have been a core part of the video gaming industry since home gaming first became mainstream back in the 1970s. As gaming tech became ever more innovative in the wake of Year 2K, the profile of eSports and professional competitive gaming grew significantly. eSports is now a thriving industry worth over $1.38 billion according to Statista, and electronic soccer games are a valuable part of the ecosystem.
The two main football-based sports simulation games played on the eSports circuit are EA Sports’ FIFA series and Konami’s eFootball Championship Pro — formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). Nowadays, FIFA is the most played and most-streamed eSoccer game, pulling in audiences in their millions across streaming platforms like Twitch, but for a long while PES held the top spot. Suffice it to say, eSoccer events in some form or another have been played at eSports tournaments since they first began, but they started to catch the attention of traditional footie fans during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
With no in-person football matches taking place, supporters needed a suitable alternative: enter eSoccer! Video games en masse quickly became appealing to people from all walks of life as lockdowns were enforced around the globe and footie simulation experiences struck a chord with despondent fans. With FIFA and PES eSports tournaments suddenly pulling in increased digital audiences, it wouldn’t be long before bookmakers capitalised on the surge in interest by offering a wealth of betting markets.
The Pros of eSoccer
Obviously, digital football will never take the place of watching physical matches in stadiums home and away and some dyed-in-the-wool fans may find it less engaging or authentic, but there are plenty of reasons why you should get involved with it. Unlike real life, there’s no off-season for eSoccer. Digital tournaments and leagues in games like FIFA typically run throughout the year, which means a continuous fix of competitive football action.
Another plus point of eSoccer is that, in general, it’s a more accessible way to follow the sport than attending traditional football matches. Supporting your favourite team in person — even at their home club — requires being able to fork out for the cost of tickets and travel, two things that aren’t necessarily possible right now given the cost-of-living crisis that still has its grip on many countries here in Europe. In contrast, FIFA gaming tournaments can often be streamed at home for free, enabling a wider demographic of fans to follow their soccer idols more closely.
Betting Tips for eSoccer
Another pro of eSoccer for anyone interested in sports betting is that digital matches supply added opportunities to place wagers and back teams and players. Betting on eSoccer can even be a more approachable way for total newbies to get involved with the pastime too, since the options available can be more flexible and real-time than those offered during traditional matches.
As with any form of betting, placing wagers on eSoccer requires a strategic approach and careful research. If you’re already following teams and players in real life, most of the research will already be done for you, since what’s happening in the actual Premier League, Bundesliga, etc. influences what’s happening in the digital realm too. Other than that, familiarise yourself with the dynamics of the specific edition of the game you’re following. Although they all belong to the same overarching franchise, there are variations in gameplay between FIFA 23 and FIFA 22 that can affect predictable outcomes.
It’s also important to develop your knowledge of football betting lines and the ones that are unique to eSoccer. Standard betting lines include things like predicting the final score, predicting over/under goals for the entire match and predicting the eventual match winner. You might also be able to play digital-specific markets that incorporate live betting action, such as the next player or team to score a goal mid-match.
Finally, you should always set realistic expectations when betting on eSoccer to ensure you don’t wager more than you can afford to lose. Proper bankroll management is key to any betting activities, so be disciplined with your strategy and don’t chase losses.
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