Technology is developing at a rapid pace and is constantly changing familiar areas of life. Sports competitions no longer only take place in stadiums, but also on smartphone screens. Mobile games in cybersports are a unique phenomenon that brings together millions of players around the world. From spectacular tournaments to huge prize money, the format is developing into a fully-fledged industry of the future.
Mobile cybersport: the essence and characteristics of the games
The new format works according to the same principles as the traditional one, but has a number of unique features that characterise its individual appearance. The focus is on games for smartphones and tablets. This enables a wide reach, as almost everyone owns these devices. Successful competitions require specialised equipment with stable servers and advanced transmission systems.

Features:
- Mobility: Participation in tournaments is possible from anywhere in the world. All you need is a high-quality device and a stable internet connection. Players can compete from home, in cafés or even when travelling.
- Affordability: Unlike traditional eSports, which require expensive PCs and consoles, the entry threshold for mobile gaming is low. A smartphone is much more affordable, which attracts a large number of beginners and amateurs.
- Flexible formats: Competitions can take place both online and at large LAN tournaments where teams meet in person. This makes it possible to reach as wide an audience as possible and create flexible conditions for the participants.
- Specialised devices: Successful players use smartphones with high refresh rates (90-120 Hz), sensitive sensors and advanced cooling systems. These factors ensure smooth gameplay and precise control.
- Broadcasting systems: Tournaments are accompanied by high-quality streams and professional commentary that attract millions of viewers.
Mobile eSports Game Development
The rapid growth of the format began in the last ten years when game developers recognised the potential of mobile devices for eSports competitions. Thanks to investment in the development and organisation of major tournaments, the industry is growing rapidly.
Important milestones:
- 2015: Organisation of the first major mobile MOBA tournament, the Vainglory World Invitational. This event demonstrated the potential of mobile games for competitive gaming.
- 2018: Organisation of the PUBG Mobile Club Open (PMCO) with prize money of 2.5 million dollars. The tournament attracted a large number of participants and spectators and showed that mobile shooters can be just as popular as their PC counterparts.
- 2020: the boom of mobile shooters such as Call of Duty: Mobile and Free Fire. These games became a real phenomenon, attracting millions of active players and spawning entire professional leagues.
- 2022: PUBG Mobile Global Championship with prize money of 4 million dollars. This event confirmed the status of mobile eSports as a promising and lucrative gaming industry.
Popular mobile eSports disciplines: a variety of games
Shooter and battle royale games are at the top of the list of disciplines. These games require lightning-fast reactions, precise movements and strategic thinking. Millions of players around the world compete for the title of best every day and take part in major tournaments and leagues.
Top 3 shooters for mobile eSports:
- PUBG Mobile is one of the most popular battle royale games. Players compete against each other on huge maps with tactical thinking and shooting skills. Regular tournaments attract millions of viewers.
- Call of Duty: Mobile is a mobile adaptation of the cult shooter with a variety of modes, including classic team battles and battle royale. The game is characterised by high dynamics and realistic graphics.
- Free Fire is a fast-paced battle royale with short 10-minute matches. The simple game mechanics and fast pace of play make it accessible to a wide audience.
MOBA games for mobile eSports
MOBA games (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) are adaptations of popular computer games such as Dota 2 and League of Legends. Players team up in teams of five and try to conquer the opponent’s base using strategy and teamwork.
Popular MOBA disciplines:
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the market leader among mobile MOBAs in Southeast Asia. The game is characterised by dynamic gameplay and a large selection of heroes.
- Arena of Valor is an international counterpart to League of Legends, which is very popular in Asia and Europe. The game offers deep gameplay and regular tournaments with high prize money.
- Vainglory is the first mobile MOBA with high-quality graphics and complex mechanics. The game laid the foundation for the development of the genre on mobile devices.
How mobile eSports tournaments are organised
Organising a competition requires careful preparation and compliance with certain standards. Tournaments are organised in online and offline formats. Offline events often bring together the world’s best players in venues equipped for the competitive process, while online tournaments can involve thousands of users from all over the world.
Tournament organisation phases:
- Qualification phases: Thousands of players compete against each other in online qualifying tournaments. The winners progress to the next phase, where the competition intensifies. The selection mechanisms ensure that the best are chosen from the many participants.
- Group phase: The best teams are divided into groups in which they compete against each other in a round-robin system. The matches are scheduled, the results are recorded and analysed to determine the finalists.
- Play-offs: In this phase, the teams compete against each other in elimination matches. The tension mounts, as any mistake can mean elimination from the tournament. The matches are broadcast live in front of a large audience.
- Final: The last phase of the tournament, in which the fate of the main prize is decided. The final is accompanied by high-quality broadcasts, commentary by professionals and a spectacular show.
Examples of tournaments:
- PUBG Mobile Global Championship is one of the most prestigious tournaments for mobile shooters with teams from all over the world.
- Mobile Legends World Championship is an international MOBA tournament that brings together the best players from Asia, Europe and America.
- Free Fire World Series is a popular battle royale championship known for its short but dynamic matches.
How high is the prize money in mobile eSports
Mobile eSports attracts the attention of major sponsors and investors who provide impressive prize money for gaming tournaments. In recent years, the size of the rewards has increased many times over, making the sport not only popular but also financially lucrative:
- PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2022: The prize pool totalled 4 million dollars. The tournament brought together teams from different countries to compete for the title of best and impressive rewards.
- Free Fire World Series 2021: the amount reached 2 million dollars. The interest in the competition confirmed the demand for battle royale among mobile gamers.
- Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship: the $1 million reward attracted the attention of thousands of players and hundreds of teams around the world.
The growth in prize money can be attributed to the increasing number of spectators and sponsors, which is fuelling the rapid development of the new format. Professional players can look forward to a stable income and career growth in this industry.

Conclusion
Mobile cybersport has become a real phenomenon in the modern world of gaming. Competitions, big prize money and professional leagues are creating new opportunities for players. Easy access, dynamic development and entertainment make mobile eSports the industry of the future. Anyone can try their hand at it and turn a hobby into a successful career.