Esports’s growing popularity is a direct result of our increasingly technological world. However, there are so many eSports games out there now it might be hard to figure out which ones to play or even which ones to place bets on.

Here are just a few of the most popular games in eSports at the moment.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (or CS:GO) is one of if not the most popular first person shooter game in the world of eSports. It is the fourth installment of the Counter-Strike series, typically released for Windows PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

The game focuses on the struggle between the Terrorists and the Counter-Terrorists. Whilst fighting each other, each team also has specific tasks and obstacles to accomplish or overcome. For instance, the Terrorists must either plant a bomb or defend hostages (depending on game play mode), and the Counter-Terrorists must either stop the bomb or rescues the hostages.

The game has six distinct game play modes, making it incredibly versatile for its players. This is one of the most popular games to play and to bet on in eSports.

Dota 2

Free to play online, Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (or MOBA) in which two teams of five assembled players must defend their bases and attack the opposite team.

Each player has an individual hero with specific capabilities and skills unique to themselves. Players earn experience points and gather items during gameplay and battles in order to become stronger.

In order to win, one of the teams must destroy the other team’s base, referred to as “the Ancient”.

Also immensely popular in the eSports betting world, this game is great for anyone who values teamwork (or, for betters, anyone who likes to bet on overall outcomes, as the ending is straightforward).

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

Hearthstone is probably lesser known than Counter-Strike or Dota 2, but remains wildly popular in the world of eSports.

It is, essentially, an online, free to play card battle game. It exists within the same universe as the Warcraft games, utilizing many of the same relics and characters.

The game is restricted only by geographical game limits; otherwise, players are free to play anyone across any platform that the game is available. Players have decks of 30 cards, each with an individual hero.

They battle it out using the cards and the cards’ abilities, with a final goal of reducing the opponent’s health to zero. A fun card strategy game, many people love this game in eSports.

Heroes of the Storm

This game is another MOBA, much like Dota 2. This game exists within both the free to play and “freemium” realms, utilizing micropayments to unlock new heroes or skills throughout the game.

Like Dota, the game involves assembled teams of 5 players against another team of 5, be it other players or computer generated.

The path to victory depends upon the game mode and the chosen map, as every map is different and has different, unique tasks for each team depending on location.

Players can gain points and items throughout the game in order to build up strength and abilities for whatever tasks the game wishes them to accomplish.

League of Legends

Also a MOBA, this is one of the most popular eSports games around. This game subscribes to the “freemium” method of gameplay, using microtransactions to progress or grow your experience.

In this world, players are “Summoners” who control “champions” with unique abilities to fight against other players or a computer generated foe.

The ultimate goal of the rounds is to destroy the opposing side’s “nexus”, which is essentially their base. Though characters begin weak, over the course of the game they become stronger by acquiring items and experience.

The competitive nature of this game has been relatively consistent since its introduction in 2009.

Starcraft 2

Considered a “real time strategy” science fiction game, Starcraft 2 revolves around three alien species, but specifically the Terrans, or human exiles.

Jim Raynor, from the first game, serves as the protagonist of this game. Fans of the first Starcraft game will love its sequel, which features returning characters.

There are multiple tasks and maps for players to explore, making this game more than just a point and shoot kind of game. It is no wonder why it is so popular in eSports.

ESports continue to grow in popularity, and these are not the only eSports games out there. These are just a few of the best, and you can always find more on the world wide web.