Fans of offline leisure activities, such as sports, theater, and various events, may think that the only purpose of playing video games is entertainment. Many gamers assert that playing video games helps them cope with challenging times. Online games serve as a means for mental stimulation and stress relief.
Fans enjoy not only playing video games but also watching esports tournaments. Studies have examined what attracts audiences to this leisure activity.The appeal of sports includes the aesthetics of the games, the drama involved, and the enjoyment of watching sports as an escape from daily life. It also encompasses acquiring knowledge about sports, admiring athletes’ skills, and engaging in social interactions with other spectators. Additionally, the physical attractiveness of athletes, the excitement of new players and teams, and the enjoyment of the aggression and competitive behavior they display contribute to the overall experience.
The game distracts the brain from negative thoughts and stressful stimuli. When you concentrate on the match, combinations, tactics — the information noise disappears.
- Causes emotional relief. A goal at the decisive moment, a successful combination, or a beautifully played attack gives a surge of dopamine – the natural “hormone of pleasure”.
- Social interaction. If you play online with friends, it fosters communication, support, and laughter, which reduces stress.
- Feeling of control. In the game, you control the situation – unlike real stressors, which may be inconsequential. This gives the brain a sense of stability.
- Short-term relaxation. 20-30 minutes of play can “reset” the emotional state, like a short rest.
BETER will join ICE Barcelona 2026 with top esports content
Video games and the audience’s desire to watch high-quality esports content inspire well-known brands to create products. Today, in the gaming market, leaders can be identified by their top portfolios and their ability to attract viewers of esports disciplines.
ESportsBattle offers the most popular esports disciplines. There are 480,000+ efootball, ebasketball, ehockey, and etennis events annually. ESportsBattle | Football is the most-watched efootball event content among the audience worldwide. Fans of esports content will be able to watch matches on YouTube regularly, unwind after a hard day, and experience new emotions. BETER team will present its portfolio of fast, data-driven sports and esports content at ICE Barcelona 2026. There are 700,000+ sports and esports events per year, supported by 24/7 live-streams and robust data feeds.