The Hidden Gems of Esports to Watch in 2024

The esports landscape is an ever-evolving behemoth, sprawling across genres and capturing the hearts of millions worldwide. While giants like MOBAs and FPS games dominate the headlines, several underrated esports communities passionately support their favorite games, often flying under the mainstream radar. As we dive into 2024, let's shed some light on five such esports that deserve your attention.

Key Takeaways:

• Age of Empires is witnessing a resurgence, captivating over 70,000 viewers with its strategic depth.
• Magic: The Gathering has rebounded in the esports scene, drawing in 30,000 peak viewers for its World Championship.
• Quake Champions is revitalizing the arcade shooter genre, with a growing fanbase in the competitive arena.
• Smite offers a unique twist on MOBA gameplay, maintaining a strong viewership and a rich competitive scene.
• Super Smash Bros continues to thrive, with major tournaments attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers.

Age of Empires: The King Returns

Once the pinnacle of real-time strategy games, Age of Empires had its share of ups and downs. However, recent remakes and expansions, especially the launch of Age of Empires 4 and the Sultans Ascend expansion, have breathed new life into the series. With a peak viewership of over 70,000 in 2024, the game's strategic depth and competitive scene are more vibrant than ever.

Magic: The Gathering: A Resilient Competitor

Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the progenitor of modern collectible card games, has had a tumultuous journey in the esports realm. Despite the disbandment of its professional league in 2021, MTG has clawed its way back into relevance. The Magic World Championship in 2023 attracted 30,000 peak viewers, signaling a promising future for this storied game.

Quake Champions: The Fast-Paced Underdog

In the realm of FPS games, Quake Champions revives the adrenaline-pumping action of its predecessors. Despite being overshadowed by mainstream titles, it's garnered a dedicated following, with a peak viewership of 30,000 and a combined prize pool nearing $4 million. For fans of high-octane competitive shooters, Quake Champions is a must-watch in 2024.

Smite: Battling with the Gods

Smite sets itself apart in the crowded MOBA genre by plunging players into mythological battles among gods. While not as widely recognized as its counterparts, Smite's innovative gameplay and compelling competitive scene have kept its viewership strong. With a total prize pool surpassing $11 million, Smite remains a titan in its own right.

Super Smash Bros: The Fighting Phenomenon

Despite the dominance of series like Tekken and Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros has carved out a niche in the fighting game community. With entries like Melee and Ultimate drawing in tens of thousands of viewers to major tournaments, the series showcases the enduring appeal and competitive spirit of Nintendo's flagship brawler.

As we venture further into 2024, these underrated esports offer a rich tapestry of competitive excitement, strategic depth, and community passion. Whether you're a strategy savant, a card game aficionado, a shooter specialist, a MOBA master, or a fighting game fanatic, there's something in the esports world waiting to captivate you.