Electronic sport and its impact on future sport

TLDR

E‑sport is portrayed as subversive and opposed to traditional sports, which are valued as virtuous, while computer gaming is seen as a vice. The essay aims to analyze the sporting qualities of competitive computer gaming relative to sport definitions and to forecast its future development and impact on sports. The authors present three possible futuristic scenarios to address the question. These scenarios outline potential future developments and impacts of competitive computer gaming on sports.

Abstract

The mere mentioning of computer gaming (E-sport) as a form of sports is subversive, according to public health and media discourses. As a matter of fact, the two practices are considered to be oppositional. Sports are often regarded as a virtue, whereas computer gaming is looked upon as a vice. In this light, the basic aim of this essay is to discuss and analyse the 'sporting qualities' of competitive computer gaming in relation to the definition of sport. The reasoning will also forecast the future of competitive computer gaming. How might this new form of 'sport' develop and what impact will it have on future sports in general? We answer the question by presenting three possible futuristic scenarios. Might it even be that we are standing on the threshold of a new phase in the evolution of sports?