vgimpact
FEATURING:
Super Smash Bros.
League Of Legends
More popular games!
Video games as a spectator sport
3
OF
TABLE
CONTENTS
Video Games as a spectator sport pg.4-5 Read about e-sports and the controversy. Are e-sports and actual sport?
5
Sports have rules, but video games have laws.
"
Video Games as a Spectator Sport
Video games and its community has been evolving ever since the idea of competition within a video game was ever presented. Games such as Super Smash Bros. and League of Legends are two of the most popular video games in this day and age, both with the largest viewership in any other video game. Because of this, we have to begin to accept video games as a sport, additionally, we also have to acknowledge it as a spectator sport. A spectator sport is defined as a sport that people watch for entertainment. What makes video games as a spectator sport different from sports as a spectator sport are the rules defined by them, and what people understand about each of the two when they are watching., sports have rules but video games have laws. Let me explain what this means. In sports, players mutually agree not to do certain things as that would defeat the purpose of the sport. So in soccer, if a player wanted to pick up the ball, they wouldn't be allowed to because each player mutually agreed and understands that they aren't allowed to. But in video games, if a player wanted to pick up the ball they wouldn't be able to because the system of the game denies it. In sports you can do anything that isn't explicitly forbidden, but in a video game, you can do anything that is explicitly allowed by the system. I guess the reason why video games are taken so seriously is because players seem to have limitless boundaries in a sport with so many limits. The creative nature of every player almost redefines the game. Take Super Smash Bros. for example. For those who have ever played Smash, you know that the idea of the game is relatively simple. Knock your opponent off the stage and you win. The amount of possibilities that players are able to formulate to accomplish this task is endless. And that is why video games are a "thing of beauty," why viewers obsess over players and the way they play. Its because the most unorthodox wins have proven the smartest and most creative players will win. And watching convoluted strategies have become entertainment. Similar to Micheal Jordan dunking from the free throw line, pro video game players do things as unorthodox as dunking from
proven that the smartest and most creative players will win. And watching convoluted strategies have become entertainment. Similar to Micheal Jordan dunking from the free throw line, pro video game players do things as unorthodox as dunking from the free throw line everyday.
"In sports you can do anything that isn't explicitly forbidden, but in a video game, you can do anything that is explicitly allowed by the system."
With the release of more modern video games, and as games like League of Legends changes, players are forced to adapt and change their strategies. What this also means are the expectations of the audience will only get more rigorous because of the crazy outplays that players are performing at each tournament. I can only imagine that the next big e-sport will include multiple different types of itemization and improved ways of winning. The market of video games has already succeeded greatly and it will only be a matter of time until video games of all calibers are being commentated on ESPN of sport channels.