Esports Deserves to Be Called a Sport

Sports is well respected and well recognized by many around the world. The reason for this is because as a society, we all agree that it takes a set amount of skill to be considered great at the sport. But Esports doesn’t get the same amount of respect and recognition it deserves, due to the erroneous view that people have. This view is that video games are easy to pick up and it’s not a physical activity, therefore it shouldn’t be considered its own sport. Basketball, Baseball, and Football all are very different sports in their own respective way. But all these sports are very physical, and this is their biggest similarity.

Video games may not be as physical as these sports, but they still require a certain level of physicality. Take fighting games like “Mortal Kombat” and “Street Fighter” for example; these games have combos for each fighter, and if the player wants to do the combo they must input a set order of commands to activate the combo. If a player came pull off this combo, this is what distinguishes them as being a great player. The Fans of Esports love to watch the pros play their favorite game. As they watch the pros play they can learn new strategies that they can implement into their play-style when they play the game. This is no different from regular sports. For example, people who play basketball, like to watch NBA games because they can learn how to sharpen their jump shots, and their passing game. College football teams learn new routes, coverages, and schemes from watching the NFL teams using their strategies.

Esports tournaments are often held in event room like a hotel ballroom, or at gaming conventions. World championships are held in a sports arena, or sports stadium. This is because the championship has the best of the best, and it has a higher interest from the fans of the video game. Streaming services like, twitch and YouTube, livestream the tournaments for the fans that can’t make it to the event or who just don’t have the money. ESPN is known for broadcasting NBA, NFL, and MLB games, but recently they have broadcasted major Esports tournaments. For example, they have hosted the “EVO series” for a couple of years now. Fans and video game players aren’t the only people that watch these tournaments. The game developers are always watching the Esports tournaments, and the reason for this is because this allows them to gain insight on the “Meta” of the respective game. A “Meta” is the most popular and advantageous tactics/strategies being used by all players in the game. This balance patch often tweaks a few game-play mechanics that has a drastic effect on the “Meta. ” This is no different when the professional sports leagues implement new rules and regulations every season. The new rules and regulations are added for the protection of the players health and to make the sport fairer for every team.

Sports and Esports are both very similar no matter how you look them. They both rely on strategies and having the dedication of practice being put into their respective sport. Also, both sports have a fan base, both use strategies from the professional leagues, both balance the sport with rules and regulations, and they are both livestreamed and/or broadcasted on T. V. With all this being said, it still doesn’t push Esports away from being a sport. Rather it helps further prove that it is in fact its own sport and it deserves its respect and recognition that rightfully deserves.

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