OT:College E-Sports- What Are Your Thoughts?

Submitted by Winchester Wolverine on
ESPNU is currently airing some sort of college videogame compitition. From what I understand these kids have a chance to win a lot of money, which is cool and all. Anyway, I don't quite understand why it's being televised or why it is on ESPN. I don't remotely consider playing video games a "sport". Are E-Sports considered sport to you? Is this another landmark in the downfall of the human race? Do any of you watch this stuff and/or participate? In the spirit of Discussman (R.I.P.), discuss, or whatever.

Darker Blue

April 9th, 2016 at 8:26 PM ^

I don't have any problem with video games being considered a sport

That shit can be pretty intense. I've competed in a few different madden tournaments over the years and its a ton of fun. 

Basically if ESPN considers poker or bowling a sport than they can include video games. 

 

BursleyBaitsBus

April 9th, 2016 at 9:09 PM ^

Not only can they get intense, they're racking up money now. I believe CS GO just recently had a 1,000,000 dollar prize pool tournament and broke a million viewers. 

LoL and DOTA2 are constantly breaking a million viewers in their annual tourneys as well. 

Then there's fighting games with the EVO Championship that should net close to a million viewers as well this year. 

Esports is growing that's for sure. 

MGoCarolinaBlue

April 10th, 2016 at 5:06 AM ^

Here are some highlights from the IEM CS:GO tournament in Katowice earlier this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM7Jm9cg4D4



when you understand the implications of the fact that the players don't see those yellow and blue outlines through the walls, only the spectators see that to give a better sense of the match flow and narrative, you understand that the competition in this is very intense - the skill ceiling of the game is much higher than what at human being is capable of.



i'd say there's enough potential for highlight worthy plays to be made to call this a sport, sure.

EricSV85

April 9th, 2016 at 8:38 PM ^

It's easy to say video games aren't a sport because it's not an activity that makes you physically fit. But the mental challenge, "endurance," and team coordination some games require to compete at the top level are high. Anything you can make into a competition is a sport in my mind.

Duke of Zhou

April 10th, 2016 at 1:52 AM ^

I have always made the distinction between sports and competitive activities.

Sports, like basketball, football, lacrosse and tennis require that an opponent actively attempt to prevent you from scoring.

Competitive activities, like golf, darts, bowling and track & field are just games of skill. You are measured by your performance, relative to others.

I guess I will now have to create a new caveat that for something to be a sport, you must be able to play it without utilizing electricity. Because video games are definitely not sports.

Gr1mlock

April 9th, 2016 at 8:44 PM ^

As someone who's played competitive games, I'd say it's a competition, not a sport. But so is poker, bowling, and a number of other things ESPN airs, so i have no problem with it being on ESPN.

As for enjoying e-sports, depends on the game. I love watching Street Fighter and a Marvel vs. Capcom, and appreciate League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm without totally getting them as games. Most other games are w/e to me.




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Chicken22

April 9th, 2016 at 8:47 PM ^

They aren't sports, but they can get very intense. I prefer E-Sports on ESPN more than the spelling bee though. The spelling bee was on ESPN

Chicken22

April 9th, 2016 at 9:02 PM ^

Did you know that at least two schools offer E-Sport scholarships for college to people who are really good at video games. 

I read that in a Sports Illustrated magazine.

Fishbulb

April 9th, 2016 at 9:04 PM ^

Are they connecting to a local server, or can they REMOTE in...you know, like a satellite? Because then it's wrong. As far as everything else goes, I'll let Title IX sort it out.




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yvgeni

April 9th, 2016 at 9:19 PM ^

I'm working on a esports startup. It's not only a real thing, it's growing faster than any other sports segment and is the future of sports. And I'm a YUUUUGE traditional sports fan




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buddhafrog

April 9th, 2016 at 9:19 PM ^

Lived in Korea for almost 2 decades. It's a participatory and raucous event with tens of thousands watching live and millions watching on tv. Prizes are in the millions$$$. It takes a lot of skills but not athleticism.




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Winchester Wolverine

April 9th, 2016 at 9:34 PM ^

It scares me to think the future of sports may lie in a handheld controller. To be frank, fuck that. Sports are meant to be physically demanding and require the use of a ball of some sort (most of the time). I'm not bashing video games. I happen to LOVE video games. But hopefully the passion for football lives on forever and is not overtaken by kids too afraid of the sun.