The global esports industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with millions of players, viewers and organisations fueling its expansion. Currently valued at $2.4 billion, the market is projected to surge to $10 billion by 2032, according to a recent report.
What is a cloud backend system?
A cloud backend system is the infrastructure that supports the backend operations of applications by utilizing cloud computing services. Instead of relying on on-premises servers, these systems use cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud to handle tasks such as data storage, computing, authentication, API management, and security.
Key features of cloud backend systems
Compute Power: Uses virtual machines, containers, or serverless computing to process requests.
Database Management: Stores and retrieves data using cloud-based databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB).
Security & Authentication: Ensures data protection with encryption, firewalls, and user authentication methods like OAuth.
Scalability: Automatically adjusts resources to handle traffic surges.
API Management: Provides APIs for communication between frontend applications and backend services.
With this rapid growth, the demand for highly scalable cloud backend systems becomes increasingly crucial. These systems not only ensure seamless experiences for millions of players but also uphold game integrity and performance, facilitating authentic in-game interactions.
In this space, Kunal Lanjewar is a globally recognised expert, claims to building highly scalable backend systems for online games. His engineering leadership at Riot Games and Thatgamecompany has profoundly influenced major hits such as Valorant and Sky: Children of the Light, shaping the modern competitive gaming landscape for millions of players worldwide. Notably, his work on Sky enabled the game to achieve a Guinness World Record for the most simultaneous online players, a milestone that showcased the robustness of its backend systems at scale.
As esports penetrates emerging markets, developers face new challenges in accommodating millions of concurrent players from geographically diverse locations. Scalable backend solutions must provide reliability and consistency while adapting to the demands of a rapidly growing player base.
The challenge extends beyond merely handling more players—it is about ensuring fairness and a seamless experience regardless of location. Lanjewar’s expertise in matchmaking optimisations and real-time networking has been critical in developing systems that maintain balanced performance across regions, enabling players in high-growth markets to compete without infrastructural disadvantages.
Experts believe that Cloud backend systems have revolutionised the way applications are developed and managed. With their ability to offer scalable, secure, and efficient computing resources, they serve as the foundation for modern applications, from startups to enterprise solutions. As cloud technology continues to evolve, businesses that adopt cloud backend systems can stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape
