Nowadays
there is approximately 335 million fans of esport games. We think about them as
gaming nerds, but latest researches say that most of them are people in
middle-age, having a well-paid, stable job. Check comparison below.
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Pic. 1 Typical nerd
Source:https://slaymyboredom.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/real-life/
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Pic. 2 ex Player of CS:GO Virtus.Pro Team since 2014
Source:https://sport.onet.pl/najlepszy-gracz-i-ojciec-na-swiecie-historia-pashy-to-material-na-oscarowy-film/fe0h31l
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For some time now, the phenomenon of esports has been noticed by the
mass media. Therefore, it is increasingly expanding its influence and is
growing at dynamic pace. Many people ask themselves whether in the future the
electronic game will be able to push traditional sports such as football or
volleyball off the pedestal. Esports industry is without any doubt an
attractive source of income for huge investors. It was valued at $655 million
back in 2017, but latest reports forecast that till 2021 it will become over
$1.6 billion and permanently growing. China
and North America will generate over half of that sum, insane!
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Pic. 3 Global esports revenue growth
Source:https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/07/the-explosive-growth-of-esports/
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Pic. 4 Highest overall earnings
Source: https://www.esportsearnings.com/players
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Pic. 5 Comparison to Traditional Sports
Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/07/the-explosive-growth-of-esports/
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What about polish esport fans? Among the 38.6 million of polish citizens a huge number of over 6 million Poles are esport lovers. By 2020, it is anticipated that this number will increase to almost 9 million. In terms of gender distribution, we fall similarly to the rest of the world. 78% are men, while the Polish audience with the dominant age group 21-35.
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Pic. 6 Polish crowd at IEM Katowice 2015
Source:https://www.redbull.com/pl-pl/vide-najlepsze-momenty-iem-w-katowicach
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Currently there is still ongoing battle if
esport should be considered just like traditional sport. In the near future we
might also see video games as a part of Olympic discipline. There are some actions
taken so that esports could be added to the Olympic programme as an official
medal sport in 2024.
What is
your opinion on this matter? Should esports join the Olympic games?
What do you
think, is it good that esports is growing so fast (e.g. taking young peoples
health into consideration)? Do you find that growth as a threat or as an
opportunity?
Do you play
any esport games? If yes, have you ever thought about becoming a professional
esport player?
Esport
tournaments are very popular, have you ever been to any? Do you even think if
it Is interesting to watch somebody else playing video games?
Sources
(access: 03/11/2018)
- http://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2018-01-13/tworca-legendarnych-gier-esport-przescignie-sport/
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/aug/09/esports-2024-olympics-medal-event-paris-bid-committee
- https://www.qualitance.com/blog/future-esports/
- https://www.money.pl/gospodarka/wiadomosci/artykul/esport-w-liczbach-co-sprawia-ze-esport-na,94,0,2376798.html?fbclid=IwAR0Pw6Kj8N1y5GDcaDTHxfYwGswNoqx8EZmEDm5Z0G7KCjvx0glc1ngqGYQ
Once I was in Katowice when ESL ONE took part. I was really surprised that so many people from Asia wanted to come just to play or watch games. It astonished me, but not in a positive way. For me it’s rather sad that people prefer to sit with computer and play in a virtual world than in reality. However seeing how much money you can earn I can understand the phenomenon. Some people might tempt easy way of earning big money without effort. I don’t play esports and probably I will never do, I have more interesting activities in my life and I’m convinced they shouldn’t be one of sport of Olympic games. It would be a promotion of sitting in front of computer and I believe it’s not what idea of Olympics should be. Unfortunately big money will decide.
ReplyDeleteThese Asian people are in most cases addicted players which is obviously a bad habit. Money is, without any doubt, a huge factor in this phenomenon. I can not agree with you saying that it is an easy way for earning money without an effort. E-sport just like a regular sport and basically every activity in which you're aiming to achieve something, requires the effort. Professional players tends to spend up to 10 hours a day, training, analysing, leaving their normal lives behind, just to reach the goal, to be the best. Isn't that a thing we can see in many other parts of our lives?
DeleteI didn't mean that esports are easy way to earn money. I wanted to say that some people (especially young) may think tahat they are, so they get involved in it.
DeleteI partly agree with you. Currently there is a trend towards to treat e-sport as an alternative form of traditional sport. In my opinion it's not a sport. It's rivalry. Very attractive and many times spectacular but rivalry. Traditional sport is based on physical activity. It's often connected with fight against your own weaknesses. And, what is most important, sport gives people some kind of happiness. Not only when you are winning but even when you are old, and sport is your way to be healthy. E-sport, if you are not a pro is only a time killer. That's why, in my opinion e-sport shouldn't be an Olympic discipline. But being frankly, I’m also a guy who's a little bit addicted to video games ;)
Delete1. I think it is an interesting idea. although they may be contradictory, because all the sports that are present in the Olympic Games use the sporting attitude. I mean that you need long preparations for these professions, which you have to devote a lot of time to, for example, gym, diet.
ReplyDelete2. It seems to me that esport has become so popular because you can earn money on it. This is one of the reasons. But also the development of technology, better and more interesting games affect the desire to play.
3. I play games and I like it very much, but I play for fun and I'm not interested in how to make money or compete. I do not take part in competitions.
4. I think so. I like to watch some professions, but I do not take part myself. The level there is very high.
Just like in e-sports! There are no exceptions. If you wish to be the best, you need to train just as hard as those regular sportsmen. Professional e-sport players have spent over 10 000 hours to be at their current level, practicing just this one game. Development of technology is indeed interesting, I enjoy it a lot. This is a matter of perspective and personal choices. Competitions are great, they're everywhere e.g. in our jobs, schools. They sharpen our characters.
Deletee-Sport could stay as it is, no need to call it as sport, it won't change much. There are already tournaments that are considered as most important in a year so it is similiar to olympic games. It is always a thing that parents should control their children, your child can benefit from beign an esports player, but can lose a lot also. Even Pasha that is on a photo, submitted some youtube video saying that you should also learn other things beside playing as someday you will end up your career and will have to do something else, it is really important in e-sport as you can't compete on a really high level after 30+ years. If used wisely it is really awesome chance, you can earn a lot money really fast, travel around the world, meet a lot of people and it will make you learn english on a decent level. I used to play Call of Duty 2 on a really competitive level (TOP 50 in Europe), but back then there was no possibility to be a professional player. Now sometimes I play CS:GO, but just for fun. Still I'm watching streams a lot, especially of some big tournaments or polish players participating (I'm even watching starcraft 2 when there's some big polish names playing, despite I never played it :P). I'm a really big fan of a Virtus Pro team. Tournaments are completly awesome, I used to be on a few, the atmoshpere is insane and a lot of sports could check how the fans should cheer for their teams.
ReplyDeleteExactly, I agree that there's completely no need to combine one with another. Major tournaments are what I enjoy the most, for now on these are the only ones I actually find time to watch. Pasha's bakery movie is funny and educative, that's what I expect from ex profesional players, showing kids to think bigger. Sometimes I also find myself watching championships with games I do not even play, that's our e-sports people thing ;) High five for being a VP fan. Can't wait to see the next major on the screen, hopefully I will find some time for it, emotions there are indescribable.
DeleteI think that e-sport should stay separated from traditional sports. It requaires different skills and even organisation of events is much different so it makes sense to
ReplyDeletecreate separated champioships for e-sport. I think is's doing great right now. Stadiums are full, hundred thousands of people watch it on live streams.
Young people must be aware of chances and consequences of e-sport. We all know that being proffesional in traditional sports is not healthy either.
I have never been to any esport event but I watched many esport tournaments on live streams. I think esport is interesting to watch as much as traditional sports.
Here and there it's all about rivalisation and being the best.
Yes, keep them separated. What does one thing have to do with the other? The most sporty thing they have in common is a name. Being a player on a big stage in front of all these people at the event and in their houses, that's thrilling. If it's healthy or not it really depends on the person and if he takes care of it after playing games, going to gym or doing regular sports. Sitting all day in the office isn't healthy either. That's right! This is all about the competition and accompanying emotions.
DeleteI must admit that I never thought about it, but it seems to me that e-sport should stay separate. It isn’t a real sport for me. (I don’t want to offend anyone) Same in case of Olympics, I think is it too much. I have never liked to watch others while playing, it always bored me very quickly. Anyway I like to play games, but I never thought about doing it professionally. Although I heard that the e-sport tournaments of my favourite Heroes III game are really interesting. 😊
ReplyDeleteNot only these with Heroes III, I ensure you :) Obviously we enjoy watching stuff we actually know something about. Take watching football games with your partner without a basic knowledge about rules, boring right? Anyway, being physically on a huge e-sport event is incomparable to watching it from your house. Extraordinary feeling.
DeleteIt's all about emotions. I'm not into e-sport much, but even I noticed some comments like "I don't know how someone is enjoying watching someone's else playing game" but what's the difference between watching football match on TV? For me none. Once I listened to podcast with TaZ ( polish pro CS:GO player) on Michał Szafrański's YouTube channel ( author of "Finansowy Ninja") and I highly recommend it. He explaind why e-sport should be treated as a real competition so I guess it might be just a matter of time where we'll be able to watch some matches on the Olimpic games.
ReplyDeleteI think if someone is interested in such kind of entertainment it's good idea to invest money in it because as you mentioned in your article the market will only grow.
Exactly, I cannot see any difference either. For me I found more emotions while watching e-sport games than regular ones. Good to know that Michał has recorded a podcast with Taz as well, haven't seen that yet, what a shame! Potential investors should look up into this bussiness seriously, there are already many big companies in the game such as Mercedes Benz or Football clubs which have their own e-sport divisions. It's profitable for sure.
DeleteIt seems to me that e-sport is not a real sport and shouldn't join the Olympic Games. I don't play any games. I played a long time ago, but now it's just a waste of time for me. Honestly, even watching "normal" sport doesn't make me happy, so watching someone who plays the game it must be very boring.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you do not find any pleasure in watching sports then for sure e-sport won't be a rescue as well, but trust me, when your into it, watching all these intensive games live or online can be really thrilling.
DeleteI think a lot of investors will most likely push esports games to be part of Olympic games. And honestly, why not? Esport is growing rapidly and it attracts huge amount of spectators. Huge fan bases will brings in a lot of money and this is what really matters nowadays. I used to play LoL and CS in my free time. I never thought about becoming a pro because my skills are medicore at best.
ReplyDeleteOlympic games would attract investors for sure, after all where would be e-sport now without the money they invest. Back in 2007, the biggest tournaments were taking place in old hangars with a price pool less than 10 000$ for split between all players and their organisation and now? This is madness how fast it is growing. Who has a time to play these games now, I got very nostalgic from time to time and go back to old habits, but sadly they don't last that long anymore :(
DeleteWhat is your opinion on this matter? Should esports join the Olympic games?
ReplyDeleteI love esports because I smply enjoy to play games. I think esports should join the Olympic games soon as we can see that is a massive amount of people that really enjoy it and and really good at winning.
What do you think, is it good that esports is growing so fast (e.g. taking young peoples health into consideration)? Do you find that growth as a threat or as an opportunity?
Like I said I think it's connected to the fact that you enjoy playing games and being competitive against each other and that combined tends to connect people together. With health it's not an issue when they would be doing something else, I believe that people are overreacting. The growth is an opportunity for esports to be treated more serious.
Do you play any esport games? If yes, have you ever thought about becoming a professional esport player?
Not now as I don't have time I usually play only on my Nitendo Switch casually. I think I could do it as connects passion and experience.
Esport tournaments are very popular, have you ever been to any? Do you even think if it Is interesting to watch somebody else playing video games?
Yes I have been to the one in the Katowice. Yes definitely recommend to see how the professionals are playing it.
Can't wait for it to happen, I will try to take a part in one of them for sure. Just wait for these huge holograms on the stage. The big money in the game makes the e-sport being treated more seriously now and I am really glad it's happening now. I lived to see this moment. For me the dream job will be oriented around e-sport and programming. We will see whether I can reach this goal. Hopefully our polish teams will pass through qualifications and stand up on a big stage in Katowice once again!
DeleteWhat is your opinion on this matter? Should esports join the Olympic games?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think, is it good that esports is growing so fast (e.g. taking young peoples health into consideration)? Do you find that growth as a threat or as an opportunity?
Do you play any esport games? If yes, have you ever thought about becoming a professional esport player?
Esport tournaments are very popular, have you ever been to any? Do you even think if it Is interesting to watch somebody else playing video games?
Well, these are a lot of questions :P but I'll try to answer them all. I think esports are a side effect of not mature youth in present days. The modern youth is addicted to games by cost of a reality. So many people plays games nowadays that it had to become an e-sport, although I think it shouldn't take an official path of Olympic Sports, the same way as there is no Olympic game as f.ex. painting nails on time. I do not play e-sports and I haven't been to any tournament, it is a waste of time for me. And I always felt watching someone playing is boring. Let's call e-sports by its name, and this is games addiction. I think games can be great, but with big amount of considerable selfcontrol and restraint. Another way it is unhealthy and makes a big babies who can't find themselves in the real world in the further years. In best cases such people somehow adapt, but rarely achieve something really great, inspiring and important.
I've been addicted to games for a long, long time. Currently I play games with my friends whenever I find some time, which means very rarely. I won't agree that ex e-sport professional players became unhealthy and not able to adapt in real life. I follow many of those figures and haven't met even one person that could end up just like you described. Take a look at the ex League of Legend pro - ocelote (https://lol.gamepedia.com/Ocelote). After retiring he has become a family guy and also a bussiness man, leading one of the best e-sport teams with many different game divisons - G2 Esports.
DeleteI used to play video games professionally back in the 2010. I mostly played League of Legends before it became such a popular game. I remember our first tournaments which were being held inside small halls across the Poland. It’s hard to believe that within few years it escalated so quickly and now you can see tournaments being organized on huge venues for thousands of viewers.
ReplyDeleteI've started my journey with League just about this time as well. Back then it was in beta and only American servers were available. I've played almost in every season since then, sadly no more time to enjoy playing this game.
DeleteI don't mind esports tournaments, but I think, that Olympics are meant to be something different. It's rather about physical activities. Playing computer games has nothing of it. Yeah, some might argue, that you move computer mouse, use joystics or some other controllers, what is physical, but c'mon. I don't play esport games, but maybe I will try some in the future. There are some simracing online events, some practice on my steering wheel and maybe I will take a part.
ReplyDeleteI think that Olympics would be just another huge tournament into the pool. I'd love to see many different countries competing at the highest level in front of the world. There are many racing games you may want to try. Unfortunately I do not own a steering wheel, so i don't play any games related.
DeleteWhat is your opinion on this matter? Should esports join the Olympic games?
ReplyDelete- Yes it should be so I'll start watching Olympic Games. Playing games really needs some talent, ability to focus hard and to know the game so why not.
What do you think, is it good that esports is growing so fast (e.g. taking young peoples health into consideration)? Do you find that growth as a threat or as an opportunity?
- Maybe it's not that healthy but we are already in it, so it's just more like how to persuade young people to go to the gym 2h a day rather then not allowing them to play games. Some games really broaden horizons so why not, it's ok I think.
Do you play any esport games? If yes, have you ever thought about becoming a professional esport player?
- Yeah, I do :) Mostly CS:GO, but I used to play LOL, HOTSA, DOTA, but I try to limit playing games because it's very addictive so I won't loose time. Right now I play games like Factorio, that I can pause, do something and go back playing. In LOL or CS:GO you have to have some time to play, and no people around because you can't stop playing.
Esport tournaments are very popular, have you ever been to any? Do you even think if it Is interesting to watch somebody else playing video games?
- Yeah, I was on LOL tournaments in Cracow. It was semi-finals. So many people, many cosplayers, junk food and chinese gadgets, that's what I remember. But they were playing beautiful, the best thing I saw in LOL, and it was nice expirience.
Personally, I admire professional gamers. Becoming professional in this field requires great committment - the same as for other sports. I believe that such player must spend considerable amoiunt time on brushing his skills up on daily basis.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned by the author of the text, the common misconcenption is that esport gamers are somehow isolated people - actually, they are pretty sociable as they have to compete with other players from different countries. However, I share the opinion of others that esports should not be included into Olympic programme - first and foremost, olympic discipline is something strictly related to physical activiity
e-sport does not meet the criteria of physicality - although it involves competitiveness. It has never crossed my mind to become a professional gamer - as a child I used to play computer games a lot, but no I have simply no time for such entertainment. As I mentioned, becoming professional games requires huge amount of time - I do not have this. I am afraid I am too old for e-sport as well - as per various statistics, the peak of e-sport player careers are in mid to late 20's - later the reflexes and strategy/desicion making capatibilities are much poorer.
I think that esport should be only esport. It is completely different than real olympic sport. It is good that people can take part in such competitions, and this games are not perceived as a real sport. People who are interrested in this kind of games have totally different interest than people who play real sport. From my point of view it is a big opportunity for people who are really good gamers and this great entertainment for people, but from the other hand it can be also a threat, especially for kids who do not distinguish the truth from fiction.
ReplyDeleteYour topic is problematic for me. That's because I work deep within the esports industry, so my days are filled with discussions about it. The scene is filled with passionate people who work very hard to achieve their dreams. That's what matters to me. And if someone is to be the example for generations to come. Those people are the save bet.
ReplyDeleteI strongly recommend you checking The Esports Observer which is one of the best sources of information. Also in Poland eweszlo.pl is worth noting, as it is the news and article source of a consistent quality.