Should eSports be considered an Olympic sports category?

eSports is an emerging phenomenon that shakes the foundations of physical sports because you do not have to be energetic, fit or even physically able.

eSports is an emerging phenomenon that shakes the foundations of physical sports because you do not have to be energetic, fit or even physically able with esports - all the action happens online. Whether you like it or not, the new discipline can no longer be considered just a trend or a fad because online gaming and gambling on online games are becoming more popular by the day.

But did esports deserve to become a category in the Olympic Games? Let's take a closer look.

Emergence of eSports

eSports has been a global phenomenon for more than two decades, and just like no deposit bonus codes are taking the gambling world by storm. A form of competitive video gaming, esports has captured the imaginations of hundreds of millions of players and fans around the world. eSports boasts a thriving community of players, teams, and leagues that are professional in their approach to the endeavour and passionate about its success.

Winning players are enjoying major financial rewards as well. Its global appeal and professional nature have led many to ponder if esports should be considered an Olympic event. With the International Olympic Committee's recent announcement that "competitive gaming" will be an official event at the 2022 Asian Games – the second-largest multi-sport competition after the Olympics – the question is becoming more relevant.

eSports joined the Olympic games in July 2021 as part of its first-ever virtual series. This concludes that the board members in the Olympics have already decided that the sport deserves to be named an official category.

Competitive Video Gaming Growing in Popularity

Competitive video gameplay has been around since the 1980s, and its popularity has taken off over the past few years, but is it truly comparable to physical sports? Many people say esports is not a sport because a sport cannot be defined without physical exertion. However, others believe esports is just as tense as physical sports.

This is because they say that when you're in an intense round of a video game, your heart rate is elevated, you start sweating, and your adrenaline is high. All of these symptoms relate to what physical sportsmen and women experience in actual games.

Since esports already has professional leagues and is growing in popularity, especially among young people, many say it should be considered an Olympic sports category. Another reason why some people believe esports should be in the Olympics is because it could help make the international event more popular.

The Olympics are not as popular as they used to be, but many people believe more people - especially young people - would be interested if it added esports to its lineup. The only downside to this idea is that some people might think it takes away from traditional sports and may increase the risk of health issues such as obesity and mental stress levels.

Traditional Sports vs eSports

If professional sports or esports want to increase in size and appeal, a great audience experience is critical. The more pleasurable the viewing experience is for viewers, the more likely they are to return and watch other games. According to a WPI study, each sport and esport has numerous distinct factors of viewer friendliness that might determine how accessible it is for new viewers or how worthwhile it is for long-time viewers to watch.

eSports are more sophisticated than sports; for example, the basic League of Legends regulations are written at a college level, whereas football rules are written at a high school level. In terms of action per broadcast, esports outperform sports. While the typical NFL broadcast only shows live action for roughly 18% of the time, the LCS and OWL show live gameplay for 40% and 43% of their broadcasts, respectively.

This, along with their relatively shorter average broadcast periods, makes them more time-efficient in terms of how much action a spectator gets to witness within their viewing time. One can also find similarities between esports and traditional sports, such as competition, training, and teamwork. If you consider all of these aspects, esports is not that different from these traditional sports.

Conclusion

While esports may not be a traditional sport, it is very popular and will continue to grow in popularity. eSports should be considered an Olympic game because it allows people from all over the world to compete and show off their skills in one place. Also, it allows more opportunities for young people to get involved with this type of competition.