eSports have been around for quite some time now, but there is still a lot of debate surrounding whether or not they should be considered a real sport.
We're big fans of the eSports world, and we love diving into everything it offers. However, this is a question that comes up repeatedly, so we'll dive in and figure it out by covering all bases.
We'll take a look at what's considered to be an actual sport, where eSports stand in relation to that definition, some important facts and figures about the industry as it stands today, and then provide some interesting insights that might help make up your mind about whether or not eSports deserve to be labeled as sports.
An Introduction to eSports
Interestingly enough, eSports have actually been around since the 1960s. Back then, they were known as 'interactive games', and they were mostly used in science fiction stories. It wasn't until the 1980s that competitive video gaming began to take off with the advent of arcade machines, such as Pacman and Space Invaders.
In today's age, eSports have become a mainstream phenomenon, with major tournaments taking place worldwide and millions of dollars in prize money being awarded to the best players.
What Is Considered a Sport?
So, what is considered to be a real sport? Generally speaking, any activity requiring physical prowess and skill can be labeled a sport. This means traditional sports, such as football, basketball, tennis, etc., all qualify as sports - but what about eSports?
With this alone, you could argue that eSports is indeed a sport.
Take the South Korean eSports teams, for example.
Many of their training programs and games are incredibly complex and require intense physical dexterity. Furthermore, athletes competing in eSports must undergo rigorous preparation in order to succeed at the highest levels of play.
This includes practicing for many hours each day, developing strategies, and working on their physical and mental health - all traits that can be attributed to any traditional sport.
The Debate Surrounding eSports as a Sport
While some people argue that eSport should not be considered a real sport, citing the lack of physical exertion required to compete in them, others contend that they should indeed qualify. After all, there is no denying that playing video games competitively requires skill, preparation, and dedication - so why shouldn't it be considered a sport?
Furthermore, the popularity of eSports has grown exponentially in recent years. In 2017, more than 38 million people tuned into the League of Legends World Championship, including some big-name sponsors such as Intel and Coca-Cola.
This figure is only expected to keep growing, with some estimates suggesting it could reach as high as 150 million by 2020.
Are there any reasons why eSports should not be considered a sport?
Sure.
Some may argue that it's not a 'real' sport because there are no physical requirements, but this argument is flawed as traditional sports such as chess or golf require no physical exertion.
However, we would argue that while the physical exertion might not be on par with football or other track events, the mental exertion and skill needed is. For anyone who's played games like Overwatch or League of Legends, you'll already know just how complicated and strategic a game can be and how much mental resilience you need to stay cool while exercising lightning-fast reflexes and pure mechanical skill.
Just like mainstream sports, people dedicate their entire lives to eSports regarding training, skill, and practice. Korean teams even have what some might call 'crazy' rules when they dedicate themselves to an eSports career.
For example, eSports players are expected to maintain a strict sleep schedule of 10 hours a day in order to be at their best. They must also show proper respect towards their coach and abide by the team's practices and rules.
Some teams even state that players are not allowed romantic relationships, as it will take away their focus and dedication to the game. This has been seen in teams like SK Telecom T1, who have gone from winning the League of Legends World Championship to fourth place in only a year.
So, does this mean eSports can be considered a sport?
Ultimately, only you can decide.
Hopefully this article has provided some insight into the debate and given you a better understanding of what eSports are all about. Whether or not they qualify as a real sport is up to you to decide! With these facts in mind, it should be easier for you to make an informed decision on whether or not eSports deserve to be labeled as a sport. Weighing up the facts and making your own judgment is ultimately the best way to come to an answer!
Interesting Facts about eSports
Now that we've discussed the debate surrounding eSports, let's dive into some interesting facts about the industry:
- As of 2022, the eSports industry is now worth over $1 billion globally.
- China is the largest eSport market in the world, worth around $360 million, which is $100 million more than the next eSports region.
- DOTA 2 eSports had the largest cumulative prize pool in 2021, totaling a massive $47.7 million.
- Across the entire eSports landscape, DOTA has prize pools exceeding $310 million, spread out across 4,525 players and 1,700 tournaments.
- The most viewed eSports tournament ever was the Free Fire World Singapore, clocking in with a peak of five million viewers. The second was League of Legends 2022 World's Final, also for five million viewers, totaling over 141 million hours of watch time.
- The most valuable eSports organization in the world (2020) was TSM, totaling an estimated value of $410 million.
Conclusion
eSports are becoming an increasingly popular phenomenon, with millions of people around the world tuning in to watch tournaments and competitions.
While there's a debate surrounding whether or not they should be considered an actual sport, it's clear that they require skill, dedication, and preparation like any other sport. And with the industry growing at a significant rate each year, eSports will likely continue to be recognized as real sports in the future.
So what do you think? Are eSports considered a real sport? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below.