Christian Gilbert
Should
Video Games Be Considered Sports?
In
the past decade, the video game industry has really taken off and secured a
prominent role in the world of entertainment culture as a whole. Much like any
other popular form of entertainment that garners attention of the masses, the
gaming industry has accrued its fair share of lively debate. Some of the wildly
popular topics of the past included whether games led to violence or if gaming
reduced your intelligence. These topics have been battled over enough for
lifetimes to come. But recently, a new debate has sprung up that has been
gaining equal traction on both sides; should video games be considered sports?
First
side of this argument says that video games are sports. Just like traditional
sports, there exist causal and professional gaming. One of the main focuses of
this argument looks towards the required skill and strategy of players, where
eSports athletes train for months, working on their mental focus, quickening
their reaction time, and working out their dexterity (Phan). The next piece of
this argument comes in with Major League Gaming, or MLG, tournaments, namely
the huge fan-bases these events. In 2014, the League of Legends tournament
pulled in 11.2 million viewers, compared to the NHL Finals only reaching 8
million (Phan). The final factor in this argument comes down to what can be
considered a sport. Most don’t hold games and sports due to the “lazy” gamer
stigma. This side asks to hold the same light to things like chess or golf and
what defines these as sports (Phan).
On
the other side of this argument does not consider gaming to be a sport. One of
the main focuses on this side is the lack of physical activity, which is
considered to be a major aspect of being a sport (Phan). This party next
discusses the isolation and numbness that can be experienced while gaming. They
also talk about the lack of teamwork which doesn’t apply to eSports teams
(Phan). ESPN makes points about eSports being considered more of a competition
than sport. It falls within the same category of chess and checkers, activities
that warrant skill and finesse but not the same requirements as sports
(Maiberg).
The
first of these two targets doubters of gamers and those who give no credit to
the gaming community. It also can be aimed at sports channels such as ESPN. The
issue is framed in a way that shows the similarities between eSports and other
sports on TV, highlighting the training and viewers. This argument treats the
opposing side in a productive way, using it as a comparison, and how eSports
live up to the standard. This serves the large community of gamers who believe
in eSports and want equal treatment for gamers.
The
second argument targets the same people as the first, those who believe in
eSports as being real sports. It’s framed in a way that talks down on the
tournaments and it’s lack of activity. This argument treats its opposition in a
dismissive manner, not giving much credit to games and not taking into
consideration the cooperative and strategic aspects of eSports. This argument
serves those such as ESPN and other sports supporters.
Works Cited
Maiberg, Emanuel. "ESPN Says ESports Isn't a Sport
-- What Do You Think?" GameSpot. N.p., 06 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 Feb.
2016.
Phan, Pauline, and David Marshall. "Debate: Is
Gaming A Sport?" Choices. N.p., 07 Oct. 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2016
This is an intriguing debate, but it is difficult to assess the relative strengths of either position, because the status of "sport" will be largely determined by other factors - possibility of TV coverage, fans of teams or individual performers, etc. Whether or not any of that is sustainable will not be determined by a debate about whether or not any of that is sustainable. Video games are immensely popular and so the prospect of selling tickets to see experts compete in some fan-favorites seems like it might have potential. You suggest that gamers seek "equal treatment" but from who? Does ESPN only televise events that have been determined to be "sports"? And, if an event is determined to be a sport, does that somehow translate into lucrative TV coverage? I believe the answers to both of those would be "no."
ReplyDeleteThis sort of debate can occur with many activities which have some semblance of competitiveness, but are also pretty leisurely and don't really require athletic prowess - bowling comes to mind - or perhaps activities that have evolved and now represent significant athletic activities - cheerleading comes to mind.
This assignment was meant to give you a chance to see differences in opposing arguments - like in how the conflict is framed, the language or evidence employed, and the audience targeted. This debate seems exclusive to the gaming community. I would imagine that ESPN programmers would be much more concerned with whether or not people would watch than whether or not everybody would call competitive gaming a "sport."