This week's Ask the GameGirls comes from TAPOUT 88. He writes:
Just wanted to say, Iove the site. You ladies do an excellent job, but my question is: Should gaming be considered a sport? If yes, why? If no, why?
Thanks,
TAPOUT 88
I think gaming is really unique in that it can be so many things. I don't think gaming is what people think of when the word sport is mentioned. However, there is no doubt that skill, concentration, and team work is needed in these games. I don't think I can consider it a sport in the traditional sense but I think the term "e-sport" works. MLG and WCG are gaming leagues in my eyes. But on top of games being seen in this light, I also truly do see them as a form of art. There is no question in my mind that games are art, masterpieces in their own medium, and should have the same protection any other form of art gets. ie: tv, movies.
Thanks Tapout!! In my opinion, gaming isn't a sport. I don't think gaming is a hobby, a sport or any other grouping some people might put it under; at least it's not for me. For some people maybe gaming is a sport or a hobby, but for me, gaming is my lifestyle and my career (that I love!).
The Wikipedia definition of sport:
*Sport* is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
That sure sounds like gaming to me. It's my understanding that people generally consider poker a sport. Gaming is similar to that, so it's most certainly a sport! You can play cooperatively with your friend or competitively against them.
Although I always like to consider it an underground sport, like fight club. Instead of mainstream like football. It's an interesting hobbie to have, and because it's so new many outside people don't respect or look down upon it. Many scoff at the notion that video games can be a valid artform or a professional competitive field. But games still takes alot of hard work and skills to play and shouldn't be written off so easy. But yes, gaming is definitely a sport.
Should gaming be considered a sport? Wow, good question. In all honestly I believe that one of the characteristics involved in sports is physical activity. I mean, sure your thumbs get a great work out, but what about the rest of you? While gaming definitely takes talent, practice, hard-work, and dedication (if we're talking pro level here) it's certainly not on the same level as, say, football. I know, I know, it is competitive. But so is chess right? Any chess player will tell you that it's not easy to be good at chess, and video gaming has a lot in common with chess. A lot of video gaming is strategy even when it isn't a "strategy" game. Even RPGs require a large amount of strategy. So the bottom line for me is, no I don't think it is a sport, but I think it is no less important than any other competitive game.
To me a sport is something that takes skill, has a winner and loser, and something you have to work at. Gaming fits all 3 of those. Yes, everyone can play a game. But hardcore gamers, pro gamers know it takes skill to play at high level events like WCG World Championships, and to keep that level of skill you have to work for it. So to answer your question. Yes, I would consider gaming a sport.
What are some of your game suggestions?
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