Esports: An Introduction To Competitive Video Gaming
Organized sports have evolved significantly over the past decade with the introduction of esports. Esports, a term short for electronic sports, is a team-based competition using video games. In 2016, only seven colleges and universities had varsity esports programs. Less than a decade later, it has expanded to include over 170 institutions in the US. If your high school student is a gamer, they can earn scholarships and get paid to play during college. Some universities now offer esports degrees.
A look inside esports
Most of us associate gaming as an individual activity, with the sole intention of being entertained. Esports, however, is a team sport that requires communication to win a game. Esports teams consist of a coach and players. Like any other sport, it is structured to include rules and guidelines. They hold practices and matches during the regular season and have playoffs.
A few differences between esports and traditional sports include:
Travel - Esports require little to no travel, while traditional sports require some travel for away games at different schools.
Physical Impact - Traditional sports require physical skill and exercise, while esports is sedentary. Gamers need to take breaks and limit screen time to avoid eye strain and headaches.
Retirement Age - Esports players retire earlier than other professional athletes, estimated to be around their early 20s. One factor that contributes to early retirement is burnout (putting in 12-hour days of gaming a day to reach the elite level). According to the RBC research, the average retirement age for MLB players is 29.5, followed by 28.2 for players in the NHL, 28 for NBA players, and 27.6 for NFL players.
You may be wondering what types of games are played in esports leagues. Here are some of the most popular games played in esports leagues:
League of Legends is a team-based strategy game where two teams of five powerful champions face off to destroy the opponent’s base.
Fortnite is a battle royale game to be the last team standing.
Call of Duty is a popular tactical shooter game.
Rocket League is a car-soccer sports game.
Overwatch is a team shooter game.
Super Smash Bros. is a crossover fighting game series published by Nintendo.
The bottom line.
Esports has seen significant growth over the past decade likely due to the elements of engagement, inclusion, and collaboration.
If your student is a gamer, it is important that they prioritize exercise and breaks from screens to be well-rounded. The National Federation of State High School Associations advises that student-athletes should find a balance between practice, games, school work, rest, proper nutrition, social time, and, of course, sleep. Formal esports teams have set schedules that can be monitored regarding how much students can play during the week and on weekends. As parents, it is vital to establish screen-free times, including during mealtimes and overnight.
Although it has perks, as parents, we can determine whether or not it is right for our students. Esports can be a supplemental option to traditional sports and another gateway to scholarships for college education.