Video game competition, or esports, is a billion dollar industry that has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years. The industry is more lucrative than both the music and movie industries combined, and it has drawn audiences far beyond the average sports fan.
1. People Love It
One of the biggest reasons esports is so popular is because it appeals to both hardcore gamers and non-gamers. Many people enjoy watching professional gamers on websites like Twitch, but they don’t necessarily play the games themselves.
2. Everyone is an esports competitor
The great thing about esports is that everyone is an equal participant. This is not true of traditional sports where there are different divisions based on age, gender, body size and other factors.
3. It Trains Brain to Adapt and Learn
In esports, players must think quickly and react to the challenges of the game in real time. This ability helps people to focus on their work, studies and other tasks outside of the game. It also trains their minds to adapt to stressful situations and keep them healthy.
4. It Trains Social Skills
Whether they’re playing with their teammates or against opponents online, esports athletes learn to develop strong communication skills. These include keeping eye contact, using appropriate body language and not interrupting others.
5. It Trains Critical Thinking
In addition to training their reflexes and twitch reactions, esports athletes are forced to think critically about the decisions they make in the game. They often must process huge amounts of data, predict the reasoning of their opponent, evaluate their options and choose a path forward.
They’re also required to develop teamwork skills and work with their teammates and coaches. This helps them to build relationships, develop mentorships and learn how to collaborate effectively with others.
6. It Trains Grit and Perseverance
Gamers have a unique set of skills that can be developed into something much more than a hobby or passion. These are skills that can lead to successful careers in the gaming industry.
7. It’s a Global Sport
Most of the esports tournaments, leagues and events take place internationally. This means that Chinese players can compete against Brazilians or that European players will face opponents from North America.
The Internet makes it possible for people from anywhere in the world to connect and play together instantly. This is a big change from traditional sports where people must travel to a specific venue or region for their event.
Those in esports can also practice their skill set against bots, which are artificial intelligence opponents designed to make it easy for newbies to pick up the game. These matches will give you a taste of what it’s like to compete against other players and they can help you understand how to improve your game strategy.
9. It Trains Social Growth
Students participating in esports teams often report that their social skills are improving as they work with their peers and their coaches. This can be especially helpful for children who aren’t naturally extroverted or whose parents don’t want them to socialize too much with strangers.
