E-Sports Spotlight
The pulse-racing euphoria of competition cannot be denied by those who have experienced it. As internet culture continuously grows, one big event to come out of it is the rise of esports. Esports, or electronic sports, are video games played in an organized and highly competitive environment. All types of games have the potential to become an esport. In general, any video game that is played competitively for money is an esport.
Players often practice their chosen game for long hours through a mix of different tactics including practicing execution though repeated drills; reviewing gameplay of themselves and others; and studying the inner workings of how their game works at a high level. The process for improvement is not easy, and a dedicated esports player must remain consistent in their practice to keep up with others at a high level.
With the hard work that goes into becoming an esports player, one might question someone’s motivation for doing so. According to theloadout.com, Hai Biagas, who is the executive director of the North America LCS Players Associated (NALCSPA), certain esports, like League of Legends, have salaried players making an average of $410,000 a year. Other esports, like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, have no developer support. This means players must make an income through continuously winning tournaments or making money from streaming rather than being salaried in a professional circuit. Besides the monetary value, esports players gain satisfaction from competition. According to research done by the Association for Information Systems, esports players play for competition, challenge, and social interaction.
Calloway County has had an esports team for two years, coached by Coach Fraser and Coach Reinhardt. Students compete weekly in League of Legends matches on the KHSAA ladder through a company called PlayVS. When asked why the esports team is beneficial for the school, Coach Reinhardt stated, “I think this club reaches out to a demographic not previously recognized by the education system before. I also think it helps students learn to interact and cooperate with each other.” While the future of esports is very unpredictable, with its current popularity and reach, it will stay in the limelight for years to come.
