Ten years ago, GeoGuessr was released and became an instant sensation, quickly going viral. With a unique premise, the game challenges players to pinpoint real-world locations on a map based on a ‘Google Street View’ shot. Since its release, GeoGuessr has evolved into a popular and competitive game, attracting more than 40 million players, and even hosting its first world championship tournament last year. Now, players are gearing up for the $100,000 GeoGuessr World Cup in 2024.
Recently, GeoGuessr gained significant attention on Twitch, reaching a peak viewer count of around 100,000 users during a tournament. This was unusual for the game, which typically has peak viewership of one or two thousand. The surge in viewers is a testament to the growing competitive scene within GeoGuessr.
While GeoGuessr’s concept is simple, it can become quite complex during the World Cup qualifying stages. Competitors are subjected to challenges that restrict their abilities in the game, such as pinpointing locations on a map using a single random shot from Google Street View. Players rely on landmarks, flora, fauna, road signs, weather, and more to assess their location, with the goal of earning as many points as possible by accurately marking their location on the map.
The game offers substantial prize pools, with the final stage for the Americas World Cup Qualifiers offering $14,400 and the Grand Final in September featuring a $50,000 prize pool. This reflects the growing popularity and competitive nature of GeoGuessr as an esports game.
In conclusion, GeoGuessr has taken the esports world by storm, building a strong competitive profile and attracting a passionate player base. With its simple yet challenging premise, it has captured the attention of millions of players worldwide.
