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The Book of eSports: The Definitive Guide to Competitive Video Games
Read the definitive guide to the modern world of competitive gaming, and The Official History of Esports™.
Almost overnight, esports—or competitive video games—have exploded into the largest entertainment and sporting phenomenon in human history.
The Book of Esports answers:
What exactly are esports, and how did they become so popular so quickly? Why did blockbuster video games like League of Legends, Fortnite and Starcraft succeed? Where exactly is all this video gaming headed? What is the future of esports? What do gamers and college students need to know to position themselves for success in the industry? How do you create a billion-dollar esports business? What strategic choices drive success in the modern gaming industry? Can video games really get your kid into college? (All expenses paid, of course...)
Whether you are a lifelong gamer, a curious Fortnite parent, or a businessperson seeking to understand the marketing opportunities of this multibillion-dollar phenomenon, THE BOOK OF ESPORTS charts the rise of this exciting new industry, for the first time ever crafting a comprehensive overview of esports and its implications for human competition—and even the future of humanity itself.
Featuring select interviews from the biggest names in the industry, The Book of Esports weaves tales of trust, betrayal, and superhuman reflexes into predictive frameworks, explaining exactly why our industry looks the way it does, and how all this growth—and more—is inevitable as the divide between man and machine blurs into oblivion.
Detailed and accessible, gaming luminary and Harvard MBA William Collis has painstakingly translated esports’ mysteries into a testament for today. Everyone can enjoy The Book of Esports because everyone should enjoy esports.
So what are you waiting for? Take the wildest ride into worlds unreal, and discover that true human competition is always just a click away.
Almost overnight, esports—or competitive video games—have exploded into the largest entertainment and sporting phenomenon in human history.
The Book of Esports answers:
What exactly are esports, and how did they become so popular so quickly? Why did blockbuster video games like League of Legends, Fortnite and Starcraft succeed? Where exactly is all this video gaming headed? What is the future of esports? What do gamers and college students need to know to position themselves for success in the industry? How do you create a billion-dollar esports business? What strategic choices drive success in the modern gaming industry? Can video games really get your kid into college? (All expenses paid, of course...)
Whether you are a lifelong gamer, a curious Fortnite parent, or a businessperson seeking to understand the marketing opportunities of this multibillion-dollar phenomenon, THE BOOK OF ESPORTS charts the rise of this exciting new industry, for the first time ever crafting a comprehensive overview of esports and its implications for human competition—and even the future of humanity itself.
Featuring select interviews from the biggest names in the industry, The Book of Esports weaves tales of trust, betrayal, and superhuman reflexes into predictive frameworks, explaining exactly why our industry looks the way it does, and how all this growth—and more—is inevitable as the divide between man and machine blurs into oblivion.
Detailed and accessible, gaming luminary and Harvard MBA William Collis has painstakingly translated esports’ mysteries into a testament for today. Everyone can enjoy The Book of Esports because everyone should enjoy esports.
So what are you waiting for? Take the wildest ride into worlds unreal, and discover that true human competition is always just a click away.
- GenresNonfiction
208 pages, Hardcover
Published August 4, 2020
23 people are currently reading
971 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 27, 2025
Достаточно легкое чтиво погружающее читателя в историю и современные реалии киберспорта. Порог входа для не играющего читателя достаточно низкий, так как содержит разъяснения различных геймерских понятий (если же читатель геймер, то ему и так всё известно). Если же ты погружен в тему, то удовольствия больше - ностальгия и всё такое...
Из того что не столь понравилось: местами это субъективная ода киберспорту (уж слишком он захвален относительно традиционного спорта), местами скучноватые истории появления команд и уж слишком глубокое погружение в бизнес модели разных спортивных организаций, ну и некоторые кибер спортивные дисциплины были просто проигнорированы.
Моя оценка: 4 из 5 (хороший, но не более того, гайд по истории и миру киберспорта).
Из того что не столь понравилось: местами это субъективная ода киберспорту (уж слишком он захвален относительно традиционного спорта), местами скучноватые истории появления команд и уж слишком глубокое погружение в бизнес модели разных спортивных организаций, ну и некоторые кибер спортивные дисциплины были просто проигнорированы.
Моя оценка: 4 из 5 (хороший, но не более того, гайд по истории и миру киберспорта).
September 3, 2020
Less a guide and more a history of esports. Collis does a good job of giving a brief history of esports and what led up to each progression in the field. The history was quite interesting if not a tad superficial.
In the later chapters Collis makes a claim that esports' growth will outpace traditional sports. While that may come true, he also has a vested interest in the success of esports; he is both an investor and esports team co-owner. So his enthusiasm for the future needs to be taken with a small grain of salt.
Those interested in the history of video games, history of esports or just loves video games would find this book interesting. Outside of those categories, the reader might find it a bit confusing or dull. It's not quite as basic as it makes itself out to be which I think could leave some readers feeling lost without that previous knowledge.
I received a copy of this book for free through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
In the later chapters Collis makes a claim that esports' growth will outpace traditional sports. While that may come true, he also has a vested interest in the success of esports; he is both an investor and esports team co-owner. So his enthusiasm for the future needs to be taken with a small grain of salt.
Those interested in the history of video games, history of esports or just loves video games would find this book interesting. Outside of those categories, the reader might find it a bit confusing or dull. It's not quite as basic as it makes itself out to be which I think could leave some readers feeling lost without that previous knowledge.
I received a copy of this book for free through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
January 12, 2021
My favorite book of 2020!
As an ex-esports pro and big fan of the industry, this was the book I was patiently waiting for. William Collis manages to do the following perfectly: The Book of Esports is simple enough so that my mother can read it, while it was also able to keep up with my high expectations.
Business lessons are taught & stories are told. Stories, that defined competitive gaming, as we know it today. A must-read for everyone, whether you are a seasoned industry fan or someone who has read about Fortnite or Ninja online and wants to learn more about the future of the entertainment industry.
As an ex-esports pro and big fan of the industry, this was the book I was patiently waiting for. William Collis manages to do the following perfectly: The Book of Esports is simple enough so that my mother can read it, while it was also able to keep up with my high expectations.
Business lessons are taught & stories are told. Stories, that defined competitive gaming, as we know it today. A must-read for everyone, whether you are a seasoned industry fan or someone who has read about Fortnite or Ninja online and wants to learn more about the future of the entertainment industry.
March 10, 2024
El libro abarca de forma perfecta la historia de cómo nacieron los E-Sports desde el mismo nacimiento de las computadoras y juegos de video en América y Japón hasta lo que existe actualmente como competencia en el mundo de videojuegos.
Me hubiera gustado que abundara más en el modelo económico de los E-sports ya que cuenta entender cómo son rentables y más para algunos países que otros, adicional me gustaría hubiera abarcado más detalle en los nichos que se enfocaron para impulsar estos modelos económicos.
Fuera de eso, el libro maneja una metodología clara del por qué estos son éxito en el mundo y el modelo de los videojuegos y su rentabilidad al día de hoy.
Me hubiera gustado que abundara más en el modelo económico de los E-sports ya que cuenta entender cómo son rentables y más para algunos países que otros, adicional me gustaría hubiera abarcado más detalle en los nichos que se enfocaron para impulsar estos modelos económicos.
Fuera de eso, el libro maneja una metodología clara del por qué estos son éxito en el mundo y el modelo de los videojuegos y su rentabilidad al día de hoy.
September 24, 2021
Because the world of eSports is still so young, there isn't a lot of books out there. Nonetheless, I'm very glad I picked this book to be the first I'd read. Especially now since so much of this is blowing up!
The author tells the story well and breaks it all down in digestible chunks. I'm an avid gamer but not an aspiring eSports pro, I still think this would be worth anyone's time to read. Especially if you've never played a video game before but you want to learn about the scene.
Not many educational books on modern events are this good. Highly recommended!
The author tells the story well and breaks it all down in digestible chunks. I'm an avid gamer but not an aspiring eSports pro, I still think this would be worth anyone's time to read. Especially if you've never played a video game before but you want to learn about the scene.
Not many educational books on modern events are this good. Highly recommended!
February 15, 2022
Short history of Esports. Doesn't go into a lot of depth in any area, but is a broad overview (including some things I'd never heard of before -- a varsity university esports program at Robert Morris University (in Illinois), the first in the country. Doesn't really go into much detail on specific games and why they're attractive, or details about teams, or sponsorship structures, or anything else, but it's accessible to a mass audience and a good introduction/history to date.
May 26, 2020
I loved how approachable this book came across. I was a bit concerned that for a lay-person, it would be hard to read because of esports jargon there might be. However, the author laid out the basics in the first part in a very digestible way that I think most people who don't even know anything about esports would be able to follow along and find this book enjoyable!
May 2, 2021
Quick and comprehensive overview of how esports got to where it is today and what the future may hold for digital entertainment and sports itself. An enjoyable read as I continue chasing my professional Call of Duty aspirations with fellow gamers “Qball” and “KQueue.” while testing the patience daily of “MrsBallstein.”
- “Ballstein4Lyfe”
- “Ballstein4Lyfe”
September 27, 2022
A good overview of the development of esports throughout the years. It is very accessible for people who don't know a thing about esports, but also a pleasant read for the adepts. I consumed this book on audiobook format, and I could notice many repetitions, such as the use of "as a result,(...)". The writing could get some improvement but overall, it was a good read.
February 25, 2024
Pretty friendly to the non-gamer to get an idea of esports and uses traditional sport references to help, though is very much North America focused. Introduces what seems like some business concepts as well in an approachable manner. Nice excerpts and glossary.
October 31, 2025
The Book of Esports gives a clear, engaging look at how competitive gaming became a global phenomenon. It’s informative and accessible, though it could go a bit deeper in analysis. Great intro for anyone curious about the esports industry.
June 9, 2020
Great information.
June 10, 2020
A great overview of the history, current state, and future of esports, written in an extremely accessible manner. It was a great introduction to the subject for someone not well-versed in it.
January 2, 2021
Good summary and overview of the esports landscape, but lacks much depth about the relationship between the teams, owners and players.
January 21, 2021
This book is a fascinating review/history of the development of esports. It is well written and accessible to non-gamers.
December 5, 2021
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
Good one very well written, as old play station lover really understood what is e sports...
January 19, 2025
我一直觉得玩游戏，尤其是大制作，比刷抖音强。从初一开始，每年寒暑假都会玩一个大游戏，小鼬目前正在打刺客信条奥德赛，在游戏里奔跑在雅典的夕阳下，知道了斯巴达，还和各个城邦在海上交战。有了亚运会认证，电竞会更走上正轨。这部书提醒了我，或许在身体上我们和别人是有差异的，但是游戏中我们可以和别人有一样的起跑线，公平的竞争是真的。
December 15, 2025
A really nice and easy read covering the history of gaming and how esports became to exist. Loved how the author predicted the downfall of the OWL years prior. His ideas behind what makes a good esport as very simple and true as we slowly see older leagues continue and new ones rise and fall quickly.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews