Between technology and gaming: the rise of fandom in eSports

In this technological age, many areas have been changing, and the world of sports and entertainment has not been left behind. The last few decades have been steeped in a booming new trend: eSports. With millions of viewers following their favourite players, betting has emerged as a parallel industry that brings a new dimension to the fan experience.

Among the many options in this sector, League of Legends (better known as LoL) stands out from the crowd not only for its popularity, but also for the volume and complexity of the predictions that are generated around it, and here we tell you what's at stake.

It started in a house... And ended up in the big leagues

Today, eSports has grown from a niche to a globally recognised industry. The choices are many, ranging from Dota 2 to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) to Overwatch.

But there is one name, developed by Riot Games, that has won the hearts of many: League of Legends. Its importance lies not only in the number of subscribers, but also in the fact that it has been a pioneer in the e-sports industry when it comes to professional tournaments and leagues.

But how does gambling appear in this sector?

It should be said here that gambling in this sector started informally. Something that in the beginning started with friends or small virtual forums, today is a colossus with many options available. With the professionalisation of eSports and the emergence of platforms specialised in this sector, the possibility of participating in bookmakers with a minimum deposit of 5 euros has become an attractive and affordable option. In this context, Legalbet, with its vast experience and detailed analysis, provides valuable guidance for those interested in exploring these options in an informed and safe manner.

Moreover, it is now possible to make predictions or plays on almost any aspect of a game: from the final outcome to which team will be the first to get a loss or destroy a rook, among others.

Understanding the A, B, C of LoL

When it comes to video games, League of Legends is arguably a living legend. With annual competitions such as the LoL World Championship, it attracts millions of viewers both live and virtually, making it a major focus for gambling fans.

But... Are the prediction options the same as in sports like football, for example? There are several types and here are some of the most common ones.

• Similar to traditional sports, fans can predict who the winner will be.
• First blood" only exists in gaming, as it refers to predicting which team will be the first to get a loss.
• Also, bets can be placed on goals. This means you can try to predict who will be the first to destroy a tower, get the first dragon or claim the first Baron Nashor. The options are as many as the game modes.
• Similar in football, one can talk about handicapping. This move evens the odds between unequal teams, thus giving a virtual advantage to the one that is weaker.

In detective mode: with an eye for detail

As we have just seen, there are many options. So how is it possible to achieve success in betting? The first thing is to have a thorough knowledge of the game and, consequently, of the teams involved. Also, taking into account statistics about each team's historical performance, as well as team strategies, is a great idea to make informed decisions. Remember that the LoL "meta" is constantly changing due to game updates and patches, so always look for information before you start.

If you're a fan, here are some of the biggest LoL-related tournaments.

1. The LoL World Championship.
2. The LCS (League Championship Series).
3. The LEC (League of Legends European Championship).

It should not be forgotten that the dynamics of these events, which often include surprises and unexpected performances, directly affect the gaming industry.

Technology on our side: the role of AI

As we mentioned at the beginning, we are in an era where technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, so when it comes to video games, we cannot fail to mention artificial intelligence (AI). It is transforming the e-sports industry, both the players' and spectators' experience. Let's see.

• It is widely used when a lot of data has to be analysed in real time, allowing fans and platforms to make more accurate predictions about the performance of teams and/or participants.
• Also, with its algorithms, it is possible to evaluate the patterns of individuals, thus offering much more accurate and, therefore, personalised odds.

Finally, artificial intelligence is also revolutionising the way eSports teams are trained and prepared. But what does this look like?

Thanks to its use, game matches can be analysed in detail, where the strengths and weaknesses of teams can be identified. As a result of this analysis, new and more optimised strategies can be developed, which raises the level of competition.