Paul Chaloner

From slapping coins down on arcade cabinets to the lights of Madison Square Garden, competitive video gaming has come a long way. Today, esports is a billion-dollar industry, the best players battling for eight-figure prizes in front of a global audience of tens of millions. A generation of players have turned multiplayer video games from a pastime into a profession. How did we get here? What exactly is competitive gaming - is it a sport? How much money do the top stars make? Do you really have to retire at 23?

This is esports (and How to Spell it) addresses all of this and more, as award-winning broadcaster Paul 'Redeye' Chaloner takes you inside the unstoppable rise of pro gaming to reveal the bitter rivalries, scandals and untold history of esports, from origins to sold-out arenas.