Via Wired.com:
Because the very concept of professional gaming is so unusual to most — “people get paid to play games?” — terminology tends to unduly dominate discussion about eSports: organized video game competitions that pit world class players against each other for cash prizes. (ESports is also known as “competitive gaming” and “cybersports”, not to be confused with simulated sports because computers aren’t the ones making the decisions.)
The problem with terminology, however, is that it often leads to bigger, almost existential questions: Are eSports really sports? Will eSports ever truly arrive? ESports is sports. It’s here, and everyone from companies and investors to fans and broadcasters better start paying attention.
Click the link to see more: Gamers Are Not Only Athletes, But the Internet Has Changed the Definition of ‘Sports’ | Wired Opinion | Wired.com
Points:
- “…nowadays, kids who play, say, baseball, are a minority compared to the ones playing videogames.”
- “Games that become eSports are usually fast, strategic, and violent.”
- “It’s becoming a real business. Sponsors like Coke and Red Bull and other major corporate players are dumping cash into online streaming, tournaments, and sponsorship deals with top players.”
- “The structure of eSports is being built on the fly. Where there’s demand, fans and games are finding ways to make things work.”