How can Esports and video gaming benefit you?
Video Games vs. Esports
Gaming has been pervasive throughout society since the 1970s but is yet to be fully realized.
Esports (electronic sports) is a rapidly growing sub-industry of Gaming that is revolutionizing the world of sport, entertainment, and now youth development.
Esports is distinctly different from ‘Gaming’ dueto three key aspects:
- Competition
- Organization
- Community
Competition
The global Esports audience size was 474 million in 2021 and is estimated to be
somewhere around 577 million by 2024.
Whether it be Basketball or League of Legends, the spirit of Esports and traditional sports
are identical. It’s about passion, commitment, teamwork, comradery, friendship, and
community. Celebrities like Mark Cuban, Rick Fox, and Gordon Hayward have spoken
publicly about their emphatic support.
“I’m still getting into it. But I love it. It’s like playing five-dimensional chess against the
world. It’s one of the smartest games I’ve ever played. You’ve gotta have dexterity, you
gotta be quick. This is a real sport, and people are going to figure it out quick.”
Organization
In 2021, the global Esports market was valued at 1.08 billion U.S dollars.
High schools, universities, and the U.S government have come to officially recognize
Esports as legitimate, formal competition.
- Pro Esports Athletes eligible for P1 Visas
- Millions of dollars in Esports scholarships are being offered every year
- Professional Esports contracts are upwards of 2 million U.S dollars per year
Community
Esports is social and collaborative by nature
Esports is an interactive representation of one of humanity’s greatest strengths; the ability to work together. It’s all about how to become bigger than the sum of your parts.
Esports is an interactive representation of one of humanity’s greatest strengths; the ability to work together. It’s all about how to become bigger than the sum of your parts.
Scholarships
According to NBC, $16 million dollars in Esports Scholarships are being offered
by 200 colleges and universities.
Here’s a shortlist of universities that have (in some form or another) been involved in Esports-related sponsorships, sponsored events, and scholarships.
Here’s a shortlist of universities that have (in some form or another) been involved in Esports-related sponsorships, sponsored events, and scholarships.
- New York University
- Northwestern University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Purdue University
- Ohio State University
- University of California-Irvine
- University of Illinois
- University of Michigan
- Rutgers University
- Boise State University
- Georgia Southern University
Careers
List of potential Esports-related careers. (See figure below
for more details):
for more details):
- Professional Player
- Player agent
- Streamer (Twitch.tv, YouTube)
- Developer
- Designer (Graphic, Game)
- Commentator
- Manager
- Coach
- Analyst
Studies Show That video games have cognitive and
developmental benefits such as:
developmental benefits such as:
- Memory & focus
- Decision making
- Critical thinking & strategy
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Reaction Time
- Leadership & Teamwork
