Demystifying Esports: A Personal Guide to the History and Future of Competitive Gaming

Demystifying Esports: A Personal Guide to the History and Future of Competitive Gaming

While multimillion-dollar prizes are common in esports today, did you know that esports began humbly in a small Asian country without a significant gaming industry at the time? And would you believe that after two decades of embracing esports, Koreans enjoy playing competitive gaming not only privately, but also at official corporate social events? If not, it's understandable. Anyone under forty-five grew up with video games as a natural part of their lives, but older generations have had minimal exposure to gaming. Without firsthand experience, it can be difficult to understand why the industry is booming and why your children and grandchildren love esports so much. Demystifying Esports bridges the generation gap by exploring the history of competitive gaming, the growth of the industry, and its explosion as a global phenomenon. Dr. Baro Hyun relies on his extensive knowledge of esports' history in South Korea to shed light on the growth and risks of this booming field. "Who's going to teach the forty-something parent that their teenager's obsession with gaming is akin to their own childhood obsession with baseball? Dr. Baro Hyun is. Interweaving personal stories of his childhood during the emergence of the esports industry in Korea with explanations of critical components of the industry, Baro's Demystifying Esports is the perfect introduction. Try to find a better book and you might as well give up and say, "GG." -- Roy Tomizawa , sports journalist and author of 1964: The Greatest Year in the History of Japan "This is a must-read for any fan of gaming and esports, and for those involved in the business. Baro's book provides amazing insights on the history of esports to this point, and the dynamism that will propel the industry from here." -- Wim Stocks , CEO, World Gaming & Collegiate Star League "A truly fascinating journey through the world of competitive video games, esports, and the cultural influence these forces continue to exert on the world. A must-read for anyone who loves video games, or loves someone who does." -- Steve Walkowiak , Shareholder, Video Game and Esports Practice Group, Greenberg Traurig, LLP "Start to end, this book is by far the most authoritative and entertaining I've read on the subject of esports. It is a must-read, not only because of the topic, but also how the topic is addressed. Whether you are a professional in the field or just a fan of the subject, do yourself a favor and read Baro's book. You won't regret it!" -- Maurizio Barbieri , Head of Sports and Gaming Partnership for SEA/GCN, Twitter "This book kept me reading--and learning--throughout. Like many people outside of Korea, I had no idea the country has been the epicentre of a thriving esports scene for so long. It was fascinating to get a firsthand insight into that subculture." -- Alexander Noordeloos , Global Alliance Director for Microsoft, KPMG "The answer to the future often lies in the past. I learned about the global esports industry that was ever mysterious to someone like myself with minimal gaming experience by reading Baro's book, where he beautifully describes how the industry took off in South Korea since the nineties. This book will give you a solid context about what is happening around the world through esports. All kudos to Baro's book, not only does the future of my game-loving son look tremendously different to me as a father, but also as a leader of a business consulting firm, I'm thrilled to finally understand that such an exciting market has existed for so long." -- Masahiro Miyahara , CEO, KPMG Consulting Co. Ltd., Japan "Demystifying Esports is an absolutely fascinating deep-dive into competitive e-gaming. In today's new normal, where everybody is working and gaming remotely, Baro's book will help you navigate the world of esport--a world growing at the speed of light where everybody has a chance to shine, belong to new communities, develop new businesses, and win big." -- Louis Scott de Martinville , Global Lead Advisory and Consulting Partners, Microsoft "This book is for all the parents in the world who once worried about their children's gaming activities. Electronic games, which Baro once indulged in to the consternation of his parents, have evolved into a frontier industry bringing happiness, well-being, and prosperity to humankind. As his father, I must tell Baro, "Sorry, son, you were right." -- Jin Kwon Hyun , PhD, Chief Librarian of National Assembly Library of South Korea "Dr. Hyun captivates through a combination of personal passion and industry knowledge. As a practitioner of business strategy, I appreciate how clearly he has captured the history and fascinating dynamics of the esports industry." -- Justin Jackson , PhD, Director of Business Planning, Nike, Inc. Dr. Baro Hyun is the founder of an unprecedented esports advisory practice at a Tokyo-based Big Four consulting firm. Dr. Hyun's experience growing up in South Korea, the birthplace