In the world of video games there are a variety of genres but none has more controversy surrounding it then Esports.

For the uninitiated Esports are highly competitive, online, team based games. The sub-genres they can be, are widely varied from fantasy tower defense, to sci-fi first person shooters. What entices players is the social aspect that comes with playing. When people play with their friends it’s not just a chance to interact and talk to them, but also gives them a common goal to strive for. Like playing any “real life” sport like football the players pride themselves on their skill and devotion.

Also like any other sport, there’s a wide spectrum of people who play it. Some play on the weekends with their friends to catch up and relax, while for others its a real money making job. The professionals who play Esports especially ones at the top can play in huge worldwide tournaments with prize money reaching millions of dollars. Huge events like The International Tournament for Dota 2 have become like the Super Bowl, with advertisements and commentators.

So why is there controversy? While the gaming community has accepted Esports, some people don’t see it as a “sport”. The word and definition of it has come into scrutiny after ESPN started showing Esports on T.V. People online are split. Some say it’s ok to be shown on ESPN because after all, things like poker and bowling are considered sports on ESPN. Others think it molds the definition of sport and shouldn’t be shown. ESPN is extremely supportive of Esports even saying, “Today, eSports’ biggest tournaments rival practically any sporting event.” However some people still aren’t on board.

Colin Cowherd a Fox Sports commentator has been very outspoken about his hate of Esports. On a show he hosts called On The Herd He compared watching video games to “putting a gun in my mouth.” Later while watching a stream of Guilty Gear XRD, a fighting game, he did a fake commentary on the match saying, “There goes Spencer, he’s leaving the event and walking across the street to his mom’s house, where he still lives at 29. He goes over to the refrigerator, opens it up, he’s got a Hot Pocket!”

This disrespect of Esports and gaming culture is more apparent then people realize. In the past couple years there have been many politicians who tried to restrict video games because of their violence. Starting with the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board in the 90’s to censor violent games, many congressman have had a push to censor them even more or ban them. Compare this to Australia, where a games rating board decides if a game is allowed in the country or not. Now, many games don’t even make it to Australia or are so censored that they might as well not be the same game.

As most people understand, Esports and games are a social activity that can create relationships. I have made friends through games, and some of my best memories are me and them staying up on weekends playing and talking. Video Games are art. There have been games that made me laugh, cry, or deeply think about. Movies aren’t banned from theatres because their too violent for kids. Like movies, games are an expression from a creator that should be cherished and analyzed, not banned and punished. This is a situation where a few aging, and uneducated people are trying to ruin it for the rest. So what should we do about it? Keep playing games if you like to, and introduce new people to video games, maybe they’ll find they like them.

Esports is a multibillion dollar industry. It’s so big that advertisers for chips and soda can be seen all over game tournaments. Games like Dota 2 and Counter Strike are seen on Twitch and Youtube by millions of people every day. Internationally, teams from Asia and Europe come together to play Esports and compete. Whether people think it’s a sport or not, It’s one of the biggest industries in the world.

Photo by: Helena Kristiansson