Cedars, April 2019

April 2019 16 SPORTS Esports Emerging Competitive videogames have created a new breed of virtual athlete by Callahan Jones O ver the past three decades, video gamers have been a massive rising force throughout both American and global culture. Now, competitive leagues for the world’s most popular video games bring hundreds of millions of eyes to online streams and thousands of specta- tors to massive stadiums around the world. Colleges both large and small have started teams for these games and are handing out scholarships to the most promising high school players. In lateMarch, the first trading card game evermade,Mag- ic: The Gathering, showed off its first major pro level digital tournament over a period of four days, bringing in hundreds of thousands of viewers. Large media companies such as Fox and ESPN have started rebroadcasting and covering Counter Strike: Global Operative and League of Legends tournaments. These games are changing the face of popular enter- tainment and what can be considered impressive feats. Why are esports popular? Many people are confused by the popularity of these esports, as they have been labeled, but for many people of newer generations who enjoy gaming, it’s no surprise at all. “Since I already play the games that [professional gamers] are playing, it helps me appreciate their skill,” said Jeremy Tiberg, a Cedarville student and avid League of Legends professional play viewer. “I know the funda- mentals of the game, but much like sports, they display a mastery of the game that is really exciting to watch. There’s a small ‘maybe I could do that’ that doesn’t really translate with other sports.” That’s exactly why these games are so popular. Much like more traditional sports, players of video games like to watch professionals perform feats they could never (or maybe just maybe … could) do. These pro scenes also give things for average players to aspire and look up to. Maybe some day, they will be just as good their favorite pro. The games that are prominent in esports are partially so popular thanks to the size of their playerbases. The most played video game in the world, League of Legends, is also the most popular esport. The game’s Twitch channel — the most used option for livestreaming games to large audiences — was the first to reach one billion views, a feat it achieved earlier this year. Photo from Riot Games Every year League of Legends professional play culminates in the League Champion Series World Championship. The 2018 tournament was held in Incheon, South Korea.