Is video game a sport? Or is it just a hobby? It’s something that I’m guessing most of you would have thought, or you’d even still be wondering if it’s right.
So to answer the question, is it a sport, and what criteria make it such? These following few paragraphs would be a long time coming if it wasn’t for the answers of Kevin Milligan and Greg Switz.
On the June 20th edition of ESPN’ Sports Center’, Missy Elliot was asked if she thinks video games are sports. She replied, “I think so,” and added that it’s important to the community.
The earth-shattering remark made me think about the discussion we’ve had in this blog about whether or not video games are sport — and I want to start by giving kudos to Kevin Milligan for being one of the first to write about this topic in 2007. Once again, he’s helped clarify our thinking on sports gaming.
Gaming is an inexact science, and results are not constant, and a lousy play now may lead to another great play many years down the line.
There’s no longer a ‘bubble’ or chance in the sport, as it has become increasingly popular…in fact, it’s on the verge of being a sport. The question is: Is video games a sport?
The relationship between video games and sports has hovered around “are they the same thing?” Sports like baseball and cross country running have been successfully transferred to video game formats.
But those are different sports than the ones people picture when they hear “Video Game.”
What are Video Games?
Video games (or “video games” or “vidya games” or, in some cases, “casual games”) are a type of electronic entertainment software that involves a player controlling the action by making direct inputs through a controller such as a joystick or a gamepad.
Video games play an important role in the lives of many people. They’re arguably the most popular form of entertainment in history and have been around for decades. It’s no surprise, then, that they’ve evolved significantly since their inception.
The best way to remember which types of games grew out of what is to think about the evolution of technology. In the early days, video games were just hand-held versions of arcade machines.
These were played on televisions, but only with small controllers, and graphics resolution was limited (and often blurry).
The first home consoles were also primitive compared to their modern counterparts: They used cartridges that couldn’t be changed, and game creators had to create new hardware for each title.
As technology improves, video game consoles have become more powerful, and more players have become more sophisticated controllers.
The introduction of motion control pads gave rise to the “mature” style of gaming seen today and allowed developers to create more realistic simulations—the inclusion of online multiplayer.
Video games can be a great way to teach technology, business, and life skills. While the medium has been around for decades, it’s only in the last decade that video games have become an accepted form of entertainment and learning.
Understanding the definition of a video game can also help answer the question, is video game a sport?
The most common types of video games are:
- Arcade games: These are played on dedicated machines — think Donkey Kong or Space Invaders, and the controls are often simplistic to appeal to a younger audience.
- Downloadable games: They are generally more sophisticated than their arcade counterparts and can include storylines, characters, and different game modes. They can also be much more expensive, but they usually offer more content (and less frustration).
- Mobile games: Mobile games can be downloaded directly onto a smartphone or tablet and are usually free to play (although they can come with ads). Some mobile games allow players to earn real money through in-app purchases, which is how many popular titles such as Angry Birds make money.
Video games are an integral part of the entertainment industry. With more than 200 million Americans playing video game, there’s no question that they have become an integral part of popular culture.
The creation and development of video games have a long history, with some of the earliest examples dating to the 1940s. The modern era, however, began in the 1970s.
That’s when the gaming industry started to take off with the release of arcade games by Atari, Inc., of California. In 1977, “Pong” hit the market and was an instant success.
In 1980, Atari released “Joust,” followed shortly by “Space Invaders.” Both games were so popular that they helped put Atari on the map and made computer gaming a mainstream phenomenon.
Video games are available in every conceivable genre: racing, sports, action, strategy, role-playing, and even board games.
The most popular categories continue to be puzzle and adventure games — genres that have always been popular with older players but have recently started to find favor with younger ones.
As video games have evolved, so have their player bases. From simple arcade games to cutting-edge 3-D graphics and realistic sound effects, it’s safe to say that there’s something for everyone.
What is Sport?
Sport is a category of athletic competition, usually between individuals or competing teams, that has rules agreed upon by the participants, who may be professionals or amateurs.
The best-known sport is association football (also known as soccer), which has over 200 million players and is played professionally in more than 60 countries.
The most popular sports worldwide are association football (soccer), basketball, baseball, and American football.
Sports are generally classified according to their level of organization: amateur, professional, or international.
Amateur sports include those people play for recreation, such as golf, tennis, badminton, and various other sports.
While these sports often have national governing bodies with more power than local clubs and associations, this varies; the leading international federation for many major sports is the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The IOC organizes the Olympic Games and oversees professional and amateur competitions worldwide.
The premier international competition in a sport is held at the Olympics. Professional sporting leagues are also significant in some countries; the most prominent is the top-level National Football League (NFL) in the United States.
The top three levels of professional sports leagues are national associations. Some professional sports leagues represent national markets only; others serve all areas under their jurisdiction; some operate internationally.
Sport is a colloquial term that refers to any activity that involves physical exertion and a competitive element. It can refer to an activity such as tennis, baseball, golf, or bowling, but it can also describe athletic competition in general.
There are two types of sports: professional and amateur. Professional sports are governed by a governing body such as the NFL, NBA, or MLB; the governing body regulates the sport, sets rules, and determines the winners.
Amateur sports, in contrast, are “free” (as in freedom) games that do not have a governing body but are still popular.
By category, there are professional teams in football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, and golf. Other sports categories include tennis, cycling, and motorsports.
Sport is a core part of the Olympic Games, and it’s also a key component of other international competitions in track, field, the like, and the National Football League.
Sport is also a huge part of everyday life for many people. It’s enjoyed by athletes and non-athletes alike — you don’t even have to be in shape to be “in” the sport. And it’s something that can be both fun and competitive.
Whether it’s ball sports or team sports, there are numerous styles available to choose from. Think of your favorite sport and then pick a related video game style that best fits what you’re looking for — it really can’t miss! With this definition of sport, I believe the question is video game a sport can be answered.
Is Video Game a Sport
Have you ever thought, what is the difference between a game and a sport? In this article, I will discuss the question is video game a sport?.
First of all, let us look at the definition of a game and a sport. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines sports as: “a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other.” It defines games as: “an activity providing entertainment or amusement; a competitive activity or sport in which players contend with each other according to a set of rules.”
Therefore, it can be concluded that sports are only games that involve physical activities. However, the dictionary does not define what physical activities are.
In most cases, when we think about sports, we think about things like basketball, soccer, etc. But if you think about it more carefully, many sports like golf and bowling are not considered physical activities.
It is also worth noting that there are exceptions; some sports require very little physical activity but still require precision skills like archery and darts.
The same applies to video games. Many people believe that video games are not sports because they don’t involve physical activity; however, this is not true.
I believe that I can say yes to the question is video game a sport?. I know you are thinking, “How can video games be considered a sport?” I have three reasons why they are.
First of all, video games take skill. In the article, Video Games and Esports: Why Competitive Gaming Should Be Considered a Sport, written by ESPN Jacob Wolf and published on July 24th, 2018, he says that “the International Olympic Committee considers esports as a sports activity.” This is very important because if the people who run the Olympics say it’s a sport, then it must be one.
Second, you can make money off of playing video games. In the article Is eSports a Sport or Not? Written by Business Insider’s Kevin Webb and published on March 20th, 2015, he says that “The prize money in competitive gaming has grown from around $3 million in 2010 to $25 million in 2014”, which means that you can play video games for money just like playing sports for money.
Lastly, there are teams in video games. In the article The Argument for Video Game Competitions as Sports written by Forbes’ Rob Cain and published on January 31st, 2016, he states that “There are professional gamers who earn millions of dollars” this tells us that there are people.
With the advent of e-sports, whether video games are a sport is finally being asked. As with any sport, professional gaming involves skill and dedication. Players train and practice many hours each day to hone their skills. But is it enough?
Two requirements must be met for many people before something can be considered a sport. First, it must involve some form of physical exertion or activity. Second, there should be a competitive aspect to the activity.
Those who do not consider video games to be sports argue that they lack both of these elements. Some of the arguments against them include:
No physical activity or exertion
Esports tournaments may have crowds and commentators, but they do not have athletes in the traditional sense of the word.
Does this disqualify them as a sport? At its most basic level, a sport is an activity that involves physical exertion or competition, though there is no mention of athleticism in this definition.
Chess, for example, is considered a sport in many countries even though it requires no physical exertion from its players at all! On this basis alone, one could argue that esports are indeed sports.
Sporting activities need rules. Many sporting activities also have rules.
Conclusion
While you may disagree that video gaming is a sport, it can be argued that it is a form of physical activity.
As games are played using hands, arms, and often the fingers of players (as well as eyesight and hand-eye coordination), your body is being put through rigorous workouts during gaming sessions.
So if there is any doubt about whether video games are a sport or not, I hope that this article has made our case for them being one.
Yes, video game is a sport in the same way that poker is a sport and chess is a sport. We wouldn’t be surprised if, within a few decades, other eSport games were developed with higher levels of competition or offered more exciting methods for spectators.
Also, those who play eSport games today have an advantage over those who don’t. They understand the game and its practices.
They know how to use their opponent’s tools and can predict what their opponent will do next. They know strategy better than their opponents because they’ve played more games, practiced more, and are more familiar with competitive gameplay than others who don’t play eSport games.
