New gaming styles that merge the metaverse with eSports, such as “Fortnite” and “ZEPETO,” are drawing attention. Live events, avatar streaming, and virtual spectating are creating new play styles, especially popular among Gen Z, while also shaping the evolving digital economy. This article introduces the latest trends and explores future possibilities.

The Cutting Edge of Metaverse × Esports

Esports continues to grow worldwide, and its fusion with the metaverse is now seen as the next stage of evolution. Since esports already take place in virtual spaces, they naturally align with the metaverse’s vision of “virtualized life experiences.” Both also thrive on interactive cultures shaped by live streaming and social media, making their compatibility extremely high.

At the 2020 League of Legends World Championship, an XR stage using augmented reality was introduced, offering spectators a groundbreaking blend of real and virtual experiences. The 32K resolution visuals performed in real time showcased a vivid picture of the future of esports in the metaverse. Although such attempts involve technical challenges, they have the potential to become standard in large-scale events going forward.

The rise of virtual stadiums is another highlight, allowing fans from around the world to gather without physical travel. This new style of viewing creates an unlimited audience experience, generating even greater excitement than traditional esports events. By connecting fans across borders, it also opens the door to new forms of interaction and business opportunities.

This movement is also expanding into the betting scene. Bookmakers that support esports—such as Sportsbet.io—are gaining popularity among players who enjoy predicting match outcomes.

In this way, the metaverse and esports complement each other’s strengths. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, they provide players with deeper immersion and audiences with unprecedented realism. As the digital economy grows, their fusion will continue to shape the future of entertainment.

A New Playstyle Loved by Gen Z

Generation Z has grown up surrounded by digital technology. Social media and streaming are part of their everyday lives, making online spaces like esports and the metaverse natural environments where they actively express themselves. Popular YouTubers, streamers, and pro gamers have become new stars, reflecting the values of this generation.

What excites Gen Z most is not just consuming games as entertainment but experiencing them as shared cultural moments. Supporting their favorite teams or players—similar to “oshi-katsu” fan culture—deepens their sense of belonging. They actively share information, watch matches together, and enjoy a collective energy, shaping a unique consumption style often referred to as “community-based consumption.”

They are also enthusiastic about offline events. Tournaments like VALORANT and EVO Japan attract tens of thousands of paying spectators, generating immense excitement. Combined with live streaming, even fans who cannot attend in person can join in the atmosphere, seamlessly connecting with virtual experiences in the metaverse. For Gen Z, moving fluidly between daily life and digital worlds makes this new playstyle more than just entertainment—it is becoming a cultural phenomenon.