It used to be that you’d drop a couple of coins in a video game and get your money’s worth of fun. All that has changed with the advent of the eSports market. If you think it’s not a big deal, think again. This form of gaming entertainment has nearly 5 billion fans worldwide, with the number projected to increase by over 20 percent by 2014.
Gaming is serious money these days, raking in over an estimated $1 billion in 2021. Its lucrative nature is fueled by popular games, such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Valorant. It has also given rise to other ways to cash in with side gigs like boosting.
Boosting allows you to pay to put someone else behind the controller if your skills aren’t up to snuff. You get the glory, and your player gets paid. From that perspective, it’s a win-win. But how do the fans, gamers, and developers feel about it?
Pros of Boosting
To answer this question, it’s helpful to understand why people watch eSports. Escapism attracts many fans. Games, such as Apex Legends, can allow gamers to live out their fantasies with stunning graphics and audio.
Developers build their games so realistically and provide such fine detail to their worlds that it’s easy to see how they could draw you into the action. Some developers create their platforms specifically for this purpose, such as League of Legends and StarCraft II. You can even be a part of the game with LOL.
Another driving factor that captures the interest of fans is the level of the aggressiveness of the gamer. If you have someone boosting for you, you can get spectators even more worked up with a pro who knows the gameplay better than you.
That’s a compelling reason for fans and developers to enjoy boosting. The game is more exciting, which can translate into increased revenue, especially for gamers with the right skillset. However, there isn’t a simple answer to the question of boosting.
Cons of Boosting
Few things are black and white. Boosting is undoubtedly one of them, making it controversial, too. Some fans may feel cheated, not knowing who is really behind the controller. That can take some of the fun out of the game for some.
Players who don’t have all the knowledge and skill of a particular game might not appreciate the ruse, either. It makes the gameplay harder for them. Also, it artificially raises the stakes, especially in platforms that use the Elo rating system. You may find it challenging to know exactly which gamers are the real deal.
Then, there are the developers who sponsor leagues and gamers. Some tournaments have relatively large purses, which adds another wrinkle to the question. From that perspective, the players have more to lose than the fans.
Looking at Boosting Objectively
People like to win. It makes them feel good if they can accomplish something, even if it’s just getting to the next level in a game. Boosting for eSports games allows gamers to watch and learn from a pro. That can make them better players, which can negate the need for it.
Then, you have to consider the spectators. They’re coming to the scene to see some exciting gameplay. If boosting makes it more enjoyable for them, why not?
You must also think about where eSports is headed. There are already leagues and tournaments. In these arenas, it’s understandable that the gaming community would view boosting unfavorably. It’s also a significant factor if money’s involved in the action. That could tread the unethical and legal territories in the places where eSports betting is allowed.
Behind the Oz Curtain
Perhaps, it’s best to remind ourselves that they are games. The fact that you can improve some skills and your reaction time makes them an excellent choice for individuals who want to experience these types of challenges.
The other operative word is spectatorship. Boosting makes it possible for gamers to fulfill their desires to become their character and improve it. After all, they are the ones dishing out the cash for it. The fans of eSports get what they want too.
It boils down to the individual gamers, their reasons for participating in eSports, and the venue. Bear in mind that it’s intense from the player’s point of view.
There are hours of practice involved to build their skillsets. That’s saying nothing about their costs for equipment and the mental-physical toll it takes on their bodies. There’s a good reason why many burn out and drop out of eSports.
For the casual gamer, boosting can give gamers the satisfaction of competition without these demands. After all, the underlying premise rests on the concept of reinventing yourself, whether it’s a Bloodhound Technological Tracker, Lux Lady of Luminosity, or Yoru. Boosting cuts to the chase and dives headfirst into the action.
