The sweeping phenomenon of eSports, better known as “competitive gaming” or “getting paid to play video games professionally,” is having a moment. It’s turned up on ESPN, and starting tomorrow, TBS will be airing a 10-week league championship called eLeague. So, what’s going on, and why is it even a sport in the first place?
Wait, This Is A Thing?
Yes, eSports are indeed a thing! Just not, mostly, in America. South Korea began officially licensing eSports players as pro athletes in 2000, and the scene has experienced enormous growth in recent years. That’s thanks in part to the popularity of streaming sites such as Twitch, which has often hosted eSports competitions and makes them simple for fans across the world to find. There are several major competitions, like the World Cyber Games, Intel Extreme Masters, and Major League Gaming, and over the years, there have been a few attempts to bring eSports to a TV audience, like Madden Nation and Heroes of the Dorm. But until recently, it’s been more of an internet phenomenon than one like the NFL or NBA.
Which Game Are They Playing On The Show, Exactly?
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, better known to its fans as CS:GO. It’s a first-person shooter where two teams, Terrorist and Counter-Terrorists, compete to finish different objectives, such as planting or defusing bombs. The better you play, the better the tools you get in each round, but unless a team completely dominates, a good team can come from behind and win.
Why That Game? Why Not Call Of Duty?
Generally, eSports stick to games that have been out for a while and don’t often see constant tweaks. It keeps the playing field level for both teams and it limits the number of nasty surprises waiting for either side. It also helps that the game itself won’t crash while playing. It also allows spectators to get a better sense of the game and even means they can play it for themselves; you can buy the game for $15 from its developer, Valve, off of their PC gaming portal Steam.
How Does It Work In The ‘Sports’ Sense?
Over 10 weeks, there will be a regular season with 24 teams, playoffs, and a championship, with matches airing every Friday night. At stake is $1.2 million in prize money, so, yeah, the stakes are a bit high. But you can see for yourself tomorrow!