Video games: future of sports ?
More and more young people are interested in the industry of video games and they want to be very famous. They want to be idolized by millions of teenagers and be the best in the world at their favorite video game. All of them are fighting at the arena in a virtual world to win an exclusive price which can be even millions of dollars. Can e-sport replace physical sports?
How did it start ?
The history of e-sport started in 1997 when was the
first professional tournament - Red Annihilation. In the contest 2000 players
competed with each other and
the price was Ferrari 328 GTS gifted by the creator of the tournament game John
Carmack. The best players were invited to E3 for the finals.
A few weeks later it turned into being the first
e-sport league - CPL –The Cyberathlete
Professional League. At the beginning the main price was 15 000 $. The CPL
focused on games such as arcade or sports. All these games focused on
superhuman reflexes. When Starcraft arrived at the virtual stage it was a
breakthrough for its times. It was the first game which dominates the e-sport
arena up to this day. In 2000 one of the next biggest leagues in the world was
founded - ESL – Electronic Sports
League. The biggest one because people from 30 countries in the world had their
own big event and finals. One of the biggest events was held in
Poland in 2013 in Katowice. It was one of the most exacting tournaments in the history of video games.
Besides ESL there are other events like e-sport league WCG – World Cyber Games.
The first final was held in Korea with the cooperation of Samsung Company. More
and more players are taking part in such events.
In 2008 to Germany came about 800 gamers from around the world to
compete with each other, to win prices
and the title of the best player.
Hard way to be pro
E-sport is not as easy as we think. It is full commitment at the price of one’s
private life .
A professional player spends most of his free time playing one games with a special trainer and far away from home at the team’s house, 3 to 5 hours
per day with teammates but it can be even more when it comes to training before
the finals. . And don’t forget pro gamers need to give a lot of attention to
their fans. It is very important to have a good relationship with
your fans because pro gamers often earn additional money from streaming.
Speaking of devoting time, we need to focus on the health aspect of
playing games. Even a little hand injury can dramatically change the pro
players career. In addition spending a lot of time in front of computer and
eating fast food can bring us problems with obesity.
A professional player spends most of his free time playing one game
Future of the video games sport
E-sport becomes more and more popular. Some stations on Polish TV decided to show some of the most popular finals. Even in
China and Korea people try to introduce a new subject in schools called
“e-sport”. Moreover today people want to
learn in schools how to play e-sport games. However, can virtual sports replace
traditional ones?
Biography:
http://www.gosugamers.net/starcraft2/news/2843-the-future-of-e-sport.html
I really hate all video and computer games. I am very sorry for people who like wasting time like that instead of going out with friends, doing something creative or at least healthy. I have always seen the huge potential in this industry, because game developers are looking for new ways of earning more money and popularity.
ReplyDeleteI have read the article (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/technology/league-of-legends-south-korea-epicenter-esports.html?_r=0) where was described how this is important especially in asian countries. As it was written "The government also became involved, creating the Korean E-Sports Association to manage e-sports. Cheap television stations took off as well, a result of the new infrastructure, and it was only natural that one, then more, would focus on e-sports.”
I really hope that this will never replace traditional sport, especially because of health aspect. Unfortunately it seems very likely that in the future it will became olympic sport discipline, because playing cards or snooker is also considered are a sport.
I really found this article of interest. I play computer games myself – from time to time, not as a professional player. I know that some people earned a lot of money on broadcasting match-steams with commentary, and by winning tournament prizes. Although I like e-sport as an entertainment I can’t see it as a path of career for myself. As far as the “waste of time” I considered, I can only partially agree with Karolina. Unless you spent too much time in front of the computer it won’t we harmful neither for your relationships nor your health. But she definitely has another point: I also hope that e-sport will remain only an addition to traditional sport
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand Karolina's attitude of 'being sorry for people who like wasting time like that'. We could as well call all fun activities 'waste of time', but it would simply not be true - everyone needs some pleasure in their life, whether it's gaming, reading, watching TV or going to the club. Saying that 'you're very sorry' for people who prefer the form of entertainment you don't like is unfair and sounds very patronizing :)
ReplyDeleteI like video games and I occasionally play MMO (massive multiplayer online) games, like League of Legends. I really enjoy watching professional LoL games (and, by the way, I really don't see how it's worse than watching traditional sports, like football). That doesn't mean I don't do anything creative, don't exercise or don't go out with my friends.
As to professional players, I know that they spend a lot of time in front of computer screen and that's really not good for your eyes, but most of them already know that and they try to stay in good condition. If anyone is concerned about player's health, you can do research about top players - very few of them are actually stereotypical, obese, short-sighted people, like some like to think. Don't judge a book by its cover ;)
I got excited for this topic, but is that LoL reference? Not talking to You...
ReplyDeleteI really hope that we can finally come out of our imaginary closets (Karolina talking to You :) ) and accept, that we are in XXI century. This is going to happen, whether You like it or not. Did you know, that the winning team in Dota2 won over $5 mil and that is not including all the sponsorship and free stuff they got. We live in fun times and we should take advantage of them.
Well I used in my presentation League of Legends game because I find it very interesting and I like playing that game just for fun in my free time. Of corse there is so many games for example Starcraft or Counter Strike and more. In one of unievirsity they proved that games help develop brain. They help memorizing more information and at the same time the are entertaining. Nobody said that you have to spend all the time in front of the computer. You can talk with friends about games and I'm preatty sure they can like it as well as other topic such as interesting books. You can also play computer games with friends as well.
ReplyDeleteDear friends, I absolutely understand your point of view, because it is your way of having fun. My attitude is caused by many friends who wasted years of life by spending day by day only on playing such games and now they are trying to catch wasted years of life.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't understand how we can compare "e-sport" game competition to real sport competition.
ReplyDeleteI have this feeling that to be an athlete we need to sacrifice lots of things - we have to train a lot, we need to watch out for our diet and many more. It all has its hmm representation in something real, in a person itself.
Unfortunately, from my own experience I consider computer games as waste of time. As long as I am a graphic designer it is really awkward for me to spend my free time sitting next hours in front of computer.
In this case it is miserable copy of real life - how can we be a sportsman without using our muscles? How can we can sit, eat chips and drink coke and in the same time be call ourselves a masters in "sport"?
But it is my personal opinion and I understand that not everyone would agree with me.
But besides this I agree that competing can be challenging. Every single competition needs hardworking, lots of practise, becoming a master in this narrow field. The same is with video games.
Some years ago I was on tournament with awards in Enemy Territory game and I have to say it was great fun, it was great occasion to met people with similar interest and see them on real (before we know ourselves 'only' on-line). And generally check our skills.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion definition of 'sport' is competition between players/participant. For example running, football, swimming and also chess, so why not video games:) it also require teamplay, training and some talent. Connection with fun. So why not to organise professional competitions.
Nowadays, e-gaming is becoming more and more popular. Probably it will be an olimpic dyscipline in the future. Whether you like it or not depends on your approach to the issue.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, for something to be called sport, it doesn't simply require to be competitive. There should also be a full body motion factor.
However,I consider myself a man of the 21st century and I accept this to be called sport.
By the way... on March 12th – 15th, 2015 eight LOLs teams from North America, Europe and Asia and the best StarCraft II players of the season will play in Katowice. If someone is interest in this kind of games... :)
ReplyDeleteDid you see that?
http://pl.intelextrememasters.com/news/esl-announce-intelR-extreme-masters-stops-in-cologne-taipei-and-katowice/
I think e-sport will be an addition to olympic sports quite soon and we can't do anything about it. So there is no reason to cry about it just take what is best in it. For example I think beacause of games competition geeks came to the light of social life (even because of meeting other players in real).
ReplyDeleteI'm personaly a fan of a few games such as FarCry3, GTAV, Crysis and I really don't consider it as a wasted time. I definitely agree with Patrycja. Also I think that if you take care of balance and moderation in everything you do then nothing can be bad for you.
In my opinion, video games are great entertainment. All video games are becoming a more and more popular. I play lol but always with my friends. For me, the games are just fun. Personally, I do not understand this as a sport.
ReplyDeletePersonaly I werry like the consoles video game. You can spend time with friends. In my opinion, ths is a great variety on meeting. Both the xbox and wii console, allows us to compete and spend time wih friends.
I'm happy that people find this topic interesting. In my free time I play a lot of games and I love watching all this espot competition.
ReplyDeleteLast year our school PJATK tried to organize e - tornament. They invited special guests form e-sport scene and It was a lot of fun.
Personally I treat video games as entertainment. We can read on wikipedia that "sport is all forms of usually competitive physical activity", I don't think so that sitting in front of computer is ohysical activity.
ReplyDeleteReferring to Weronika Chmielewska, I can't imagine that e-sport will be an addition to olympic sports. Olympic Games are the traditions of ancient Greece and there no place for such dyscypline. The Olympic Games are strongly associated with physical activities.
Rafał Skowera - I'm coming next year to Katowice. It is amazing to see the whole tournament live in a big stadion. I just can't describe these emotions. Not so long ago was PGA in Poznań but at 11th of November again in Poznań there will be a special event for LOL fans.
ReplyDeleteTomasz Gelo and Weronika Chmielewska - I think the same way about e-sport at the olympics. Iin the future, it will be an olympic discipline but right now this topic is full of ccontroversy.
Agata Piasecka - I also prefer playing with my friedns which is the most exciting thing ever but i don't forget to met with them live from time to time
Marcin Konarski - Chess is recognized as a sport by Olimpic federation so anything can happen in the future.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy of playing video games. I play only "for fun" not as professional player. Nowadays computer games are very popular, mostly by young people. A lot of kids want to be a "PRO" in their favourite game. I think that is very dangerous because it is very easy to become addicted in it. Many young people can not imagine their live without computer.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is dominating our life and nothing show that it will change in the nearest future. But e-sport won't replace traditional sport because both are completely different areas of activity. So I guess that @Karolina Wieczorek fears are unfounded. E-sport is specific lifestyle as any other activity and nobody force to playing game 24/7. Professional players know what they do and for many of them is a typical job. That's all.
ReplyDeleteMany people demonize video games that are violent, full of blood etc. etc. But many of them have never played game. Studies from all over the world show that playing games ( a few hours not few days I mean ) improve concentration, reflex and a few skills more.
Most of you think that computer games are "waste of time". I don't agree with this statement, because thanks to computer games I was able to improve my skills. For example thanks to games like cabal online and world of warcraft and my position of guild master I have learnt a lot about managing people (around 200 players) and problem solving. Thanks to this I also was able to improve my computer writing skills and multi-threading/multi-tasking thinking (usually I was writing with 5-10 people at the same time about different topics and problems). Thanks to computer games (especially to trading and monetary system) I was also able to improve my economics skills. By playing strategic games like heroes of might and magic and command & conquer I have improve my strategic thinking. Also thanks to computer game I have improve my programming skills and now I'm able to create my own games. Maybe I will show them later.
ReplyDeleteTo sum up you can learn a lot from playing computer games like it was in my case.
Referring to what Karolina and Patrycja wrote, I'll say that it depends how much time a person dedicates to playing games and how do they play in general. I know people who could spend their entire days playing World of Warcraft, not going out anywhere, and it's beyond me how a person can do that without going crazy. But, on the other hand, I also know people who got to know someone in a MMO game and later they met in real life. Games don't have to necessarily ruin your social life.
ReplyDeleteI don't think e-sports will replace a traditional sport. It's a different type of competitive behaviour and requires other skills. In my opinion it's going to be an addition, and I'm fine with this. I like watching streams of game matches on sites like Twitch. For me they can be more exciting and entertaining to watch than football you can find on TV.
Cezary Góralski - Not most of them think that computer game are waste of time. I think most of people here are defending games and I totally agree with you. Games improved my skill as well as yours did. I plan my future with game industry.
ReplyDeleteKatarzyna Buczko - There is good sides about games and bad ones. People need to learn how to spend their time.
Katarzyna I know that chess is recognized as a sport by Olimpic federation but personally I think that chess isn't enough spectacular and there is no excitement in watching these kind of competition. This is sad but one of most important part of modern Olimpic Games is the money, in my opininion chess won't earn enough money to be a permanent Olympic competition.
ReplyDeleteIt is completely different with video games. Video games are becoming more popular, people spend more and more money for this kind of activities. However, referring to Olimpic Game, there are too many games to choose some that could be an Olimpic sport. On the other hand it seems to be the only solution to Polish National team will win Olimpic gold in football (virtual football) ;)
Everyone should by allowed to earn money doing what they like most. Playing video games are no exception.
ReplyDeleteBut learning e-sports in school? I think that is a bit strange. I know that video games can train your reflex, but what else? Despite the fact that I am a gamer and learned a lot from games, I can't imagine e-sports classes.