If you’ve never heard of esports before, you’re not alone. The video game industry is highly organized, with professional competitions for prize money and franchises. But what exactly is this competitive environment? And what can you do if you want to pursue a career in esports? In this article, you’ll discover the ins and outs of this social activity. Here are three common reasons you should get involved in esports.
esports is a video game played in a highly organized competitive environment
While the legitimacy of esports as a true sports competition is still debatable, the popularity of these games has been steadily increasing. Some multinational events in Asia have featured esports alongside traditional sports. The International Olympic Committee has even discussed esports’ inclusion in future Olympic games. Regardless of whether it’s true sport or not, esports is a growing phenomenon and is here to stay.
It is a team sport
Unlike traditional sports, esports is a team sport. A team of gamers competes against each other to earn the right to represent their team in competitions. Esports teams have sponsors and are typically branded in their logo, website, and team jerseys. Some teams even have social media pages, with a combined following of over one million. Most of these teams are organized by the International esports Federation (IeSF) or a specific game association, such as the British esports association or the World esports association.
It is a franchise
The world of esports is exploding. With a younger generation that has been gamified since birth, traditional sports products have lost their luster. But esports stand out as an intrinsically entertaining form of content. In fact, 42% of esports viewers don’t even play the game they are watching. While traditional sports are facing headwinds, esports are booming, and franchising is the last domino to fall.
It is a social activity
Although the debate over whether esports has a social value is ongoing, it is important to understand how the game affects society. While the fragmented body of research shows that the game has both positive and negative effects, future research needs to dive deeper into the topic and identify approaches that can isolate the positive aspects of esport and minimize the negative impacts. Furthermore, future studies must consider how to regulate the game so that it does not disrupt society.
It builds social and emotional learning skills
Students may not realize it, but eSports builds critical social and emotional learning skills. Aside from strengthening hand-eye coordination, eSports players can develop problem-solving and collaborative skills. The eSports environment is inclusive and enables students to learn from each other, regardless of their backgrounds and experiences. They can learn from each other, take advice, and use failure as motivation to improve themselves.
