There is a huge controversy over the question whatever eSports can be considered sports, or they’re just perfectly created simulations for those who don’t like to move off the couch.
But the fact is that eSports have long gone beyond the scope of video games, and millions of fans all over the world can confirm that. Perhaps it’s time to take it more seriously than just a computer game. The same question arises with the iGaming industry and whether we can say it’s a part of the Gaming industry.
What Are Electronic Sports?
They can be defined as competitive games that involve any sporting discipline, such as basketball, football, or golf, and lack real athletes. In other words, this is a sports competition played via consoles or computers with at least two players competing.
This kind of fun is ideal for spending some quality time with your friends and family. Still, in recent years, eSports has been gathering professional players and teams playing in major tournaments around the world.
The rules are the same as in traditional sports. Chances to win and the quality of the game are determined by the performance of players and clubs in the real world. A competitive spirit is always present. Players carefully develop a strategy and create the offense and the defense. They make every possible effort to score and defeat their opponent. From the background, it’s possible to hear the cheering of the audience and commentator speaking. The only thing missing is a physical presence on the field and, of course, movement.
eSports Industry Is Booming
To understand the scale of new gaming (or sports) trends, we need to recognize the fact that eSports tournaments are enormous events that capture a lot of public attention. Such happenings are followed and promoted through different media, from social networks to major television stations.
They never miss the audience, either. Perhaps you may think that most teams consist of kids and nerds, but they in fact have a lot of genuine fans who will follow them to the end of the world.
Finally, to see how serious the industry has become, it is enough to look at sponsors’ accounts. Multinational companies like Coca-Cola, Google or Sony will not stand behind something that is a worldwide event and has enormous profit opportunities. Statistics show that eSports earned over $892 million in 2016 alone, and is predicted to exceed $1.23 billion by the end of this year — quite fascinating figures for those who don’t believe in eSports.
All the Arguments for eSports
Believe it or not, video games have been around for almost eight decades. During that time, they’ve evolved so much that it’s high time to step out of the realm of “unreal.” eSports can be a starting point.
The new industry allows sports to be played by anyone, anywhere in the world, no matter how physically capable they are, and at any age. Also, electronic games contain many key elements as traditional sports — competitive spirit, morale, the same energy, hours of training, strategy and a sense of victory or loss.
It is true that there is almost no physical activity, but there is also none of it in chess or billiards. However, they still are exceptional disciplines?
All the Arguments Against It
Many believe that eSports are missing a fundamental component — athletes. They are the people who dedicated their whole lives to training. They push their bodies beyond the limits of the possible, defying nature, physics or anatomy.
Besides, many athletes are born with good predispositions. However, an eSports player can be anyone who practices enough. By many experts, those two are simply not the same mindset.
In the end, statistics imply that eSports may exceed the size of the most famous sports in the near future.