Sports fans and players across the world frustrated by canceled matches because of the coronavirus epidemic are turning to esports, with professional real-world athletes joining virtual game tournaments of football, auto racing and basketball.
"We've seen a dramatic increase in viewership" for esports broadcasts, said Todd Sitrin, senior vice president of Electronic Arts' Competitive Gaming Division, adding that the maker of battle-royale sensation Apex Legends saw an increase of two-to-three times its normal viewership in the first quarter of 2020.
"All the traditional sports have suspended their seasons and their broadcasts, so what we've seen is that fans are really searching for a way to get their sports fix," Sitrin said.