Are eSports Real Sports?

Can eSports be defined as sports?

A sport can be defined as anything that needs strong competition, training, acquiring of skill sets, and body-eye coordination.

When you compare a game such as Dota 2 and a football game, they both need training, concentration, and finally, competition.

While it is played online, it still involves physical involvement as the hands do a lot of work of pressing and pulling of different keys, buttons, and triggers. The hands still undergo a lot of stress exposing the player to physical strain.

So, are eSports sports? The answer is yes because it involves almost every aspect present in any traditional sport.

Are Esports Considered Sports

Electronic sports are online games facilitated by an electronic system including consoles and computers. The gamers play in a very competitive environment against other experienced players.

The game can either be a professional setup where players set up teams and play against others, or it can take the form of a fun, adventurous bonding game between family members or friends.

Video game enthusiasts participate in a wide range of eSports games including:

  • Fighter games
  • Arcades

Gamers that have never met can still form a team and defeat their opponents. Just like other sports, these games also have a huge fanbase and sponsorship.

eSports Games

esport games

The games are divided into different categories to suit different types of players according to skills and preferences. The games are also divided into tournaments and leagues according to the specific game.

It is not easy to categorize these games into specific genres but most popular games come in four main types.

The first types are the strategy games which are also divided into two including the real-time strategy (RTS) games and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA). Others include:

  • Fighting games
  • Sports games
  • First-person shooter (FPS) games

All these games involve skills and teamwork like other sports.

eSports Fans

There is a huge fan base just like traditional sports. The fans support the existence of this game and enjoy watching their favorite players make risky decisions as they compete.

The fans know the nature of the competitive games, the gamers, and various organizations that take part in the success of the game.

The more eSports is growing in popularity, the more its acquiring a wider fan base.

There is an increased number of people viewing the games every day. Players that like betting also has the chance to wager on their favorite games. eSports is in fact the fastest-growing category within online gambling.

In 2015, the global eSports market revenue reached 24 million USD. Today, authoritative eSports medias report that the worldwide revenue is closing up on 14 billion USD. The interest in gambling on eSports is obviously growing at the same pace as the general interest in the sport.

Game developers are also releasing new games every year, with the goal to become the next big eSports title. This is an aspect that also boosts the growth.

According to the global esports betting portal Esportsbetting.gg, the most popular games for betting are CS:GO, League of Legends and Dota 2. But there is a huge selection of other known titles where you can find odds, like Call of Duty, Overwatch, FIFA and the extremely popular Battle Royale games, Fortnite and PUBG.

Visit Esportsbetting.gg for more information and betting guides: https://esportsbetting.gg

eSports Players

esport players

It has very renowned players that have grown in the game and mastered the gaming skills perfectly.

The popularity of gamers is measured by different things including their wins, viewership, and the reputation they have on various social media platforms.

The most renowned gamers include the likes of:

  • Olofmeister
  • Simple
  • Faker
  • Karma

Fans have mastered their favorite players and can name them easily.

The most famous players on this sport mostly participate in popular games such as:

  • CS:GO
  • League of Legends
  • Dota 2
  • Overwatch

The popular gamers have managed to accumulate much wealth just playing this electronic game.

Is there money in eSports

It is a lucrative market generating a lot of income for players, video game producers, and brands.

gamers make a lot of money playing. The tournaments boast a lot of money in which players can split between winning teams and different gamers after the event.

Top players can earn up to seven figures in a year. Players also earn from other sources such as league salaries, sponsorship, and endorsements.

Other people than benefit from money generated by event organizers and teams that make money from ticket sales for the competitions.

Traditional Sports vs. eSports

esport players

As far as it can be considered a sport, it still has major factors that set it apart from traditional sports. The major difference is that you don’t need two teams to play.

eSports players do not even need to be present physically to play. As long as they have a good Internet connection and a good console, gamers can still compete against each other without problems.

Unlike traditional sports, it constantly undergoes minor changes and updates every season changing the way it’s played. gamers, therefore, need to be flexible and updated to play effectively.

So, as far as eSports can be categorized as a form of sport, there are still factors that set it apart.

Conclusion

Every sport is different in its own way and eSports is not an exception. There are different types of players, different skills, and strategies involved in playing this electronic sport.

The similarities are, however, more observable than the differences between eSports and traditional sports. It involves a lot of skills, competition, and brain and body activities.

Gamers also earn a substantial income playing just the same way gamers that participate in traditional sports do.

FAQs

Should Esports be considered sports?

Yes, I think it should. Anything involving practice, skill, competition, and teams should be considered a sport. There is less physical involvement in eSports than in traditional sport but times are changing I think it will get more accepted as a sport in the coming years.

Are esports players athletes?

To some extent, eSport gamers are definitely athletes, in their genre. They work together to improve team tactics or personal performance, they practice long hours per day, they earn money for competing against other likeminded gamers. In my opinion, this is what an athlete is to me.

Why Esports are real sports?

Esports is a new era of real sports. I do not think older people would accept Esport as a sport. In a few years though, when the younger audience grows up and new fans enter this world I think it will be more accepted as a real sport.