For most of us, video games are just a bit of fun – a way to distract our minds from the world, decompress after work or study, or enjoy time with friends. For some, though, gaming offers additional benefits and even career potential. Enter the world of eSports, where the stakes are real, the skills are sharp, and the games are treated with the same attitude as physical sports. If you haven’t been paying attention, eSports are more than just a fringe interest – they’re a massive, multi-billion dollar industry. So, what’s behind the rise of eSports? And are eSports real sports at all? In this article, we explore these questions and unpack the factors shaping the future of competitive gaming.