Great Debate: Are eSports sports?

GuitarBizarre · 06-16-2012, 07:10 PM

Not that MLG isn't amazing guys, but that is just their company name. The most prestigious and highest level Starcraft 2 league, for example, is GomTV's GSL (Global Starcraft League)

GuitarBizarre · 07-13-2013, 10:57 PM

BUMP!

Rather than make a new thread, I thought I'd share this here:

US visa bureau says 'League of Legends' is a professional sport | The Verge

Quote:

High-level League of Legends players can now be awarded the same visas as more traditional pro athletes, says publisher Riot Games. On July 11th, Riot e-sports manager Nick Allen told GameSpot that the company had convinced US immigration services to recognize League of Legends as a professional sport and simplify the visa process accordingly; the first person to benefit will be Canadian player Danny "Shiphtur" Le, who was temporarily unable to compete this spring because of work permit problems. E-sports VP Dustin Beck later confirmed the change to Polygon. "This is a watershed moment," he said. "It validates e-sports as a sport. Now we have the same designation as the NBA or NHL or other professional sports leagues."

The change, Beck said, could let non-American players join US teams: "It's like David Beckham coming to LA Galaxy." He said convincing US Immigration and Citizenship Services to offer players pro sports visas was "a long process" that hinged on proving League of Legends can offer people the chance to make a living as professionals. "A lot of people have been dismissive of it because they don't understand the scope of this," he said. "Our viewership numbers are stronger than 80 or 90 percent of the sports covered on ESPN."

Now granted, right now this is only for one sport and one scene, not all professionally played games, but the article is right that this is a watershed for eSports.

I will also note that while Starcraft 2 might be considered next in line for this kind of thing, its unlikely - not because SC2 isn't worthy (Most would agree that its professional players are as if not more dedicated and hardworking than the League community) - Its simply that there is no pressing reason for players to want to live and work in the USA, if those players play Starcraft 2. Why?

The reason is that the SC2 competitive scene revolves almost entirely around Korea and Europe - The North American scene isn't as strong and so the palyers wouldn't seek to move TO there, but rather FROM there, to join larger and more prestigious organisations elsewhere. In contrast, the League of Legends community is much more NA focused, and so they will have lobbied for this much more fiercely for the benefit of their players.

djchameleon · 07-14-2013, 07:53 AM

that's awesome!

FETCHER. · 07-17-2013, 12:15 PM

No disrespect but I wish this thread would get closed already. *le sigh*

djchameleon · 07-17-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FETCHER.

No disrespect but I wish this thread would get closed already. *le sigh*

Rude!

That's not even anywhere near to a good enough reason to close the thread, just because you don't like his opinion.

**Goofle** · 07-17-2013, 02:52 PM

Mod Goofle would never close this thread.

djchameleon · 07-17-2013, 02:59 PM

You got my vote

Vote Goofle for Mod 2013

~~butthead aka 216~~ · 07-17-2013, 03:07 PM

i remember using the chatbox and talkin about this subject with guitar and rezz like a week or 2 ago.

my opinion is that they are just games, not sports. maybe labeling it a sport gives it more credibiity to some people?? or makes it sound more proessional or serious?? I'm not sure but i think physicality is a staple of what makes a sport a sport and games dont have that.

**Goofle** · 07-17-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

You got my vote

Vote Goofle for Mod 2013

I would have assumed my running mate had my back.

Remind me of our policies because I get confused.

djchameleon · 07-17-2013, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

I would have assumed my running mate had my back.

Remind me of our policies because I get confused.

Don't worry Mod select. I'll have your assistant upload them onto a tablet for you to review.

07-17-2013, 03:07 PM	#228 (permalink)
~~butthead aka 216~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: freely swimmin thru the waters of glory much like a majestic bald eagle soars thru the skies Posts: 1,463	i remember using the chatbox and talkin about this subject with guitar and rezz like a week or 2 ago. my opinion is that they are just games, not sports. maybe labeling it a sport gives it more credibiity to some people?? or makes it sound more proessional or serious?? I'm not sure but i think physicality is a staple of what makes a sport a sport and games dont have that.