Bringing eSports to the Olympics?

[MERIZoC]

When Shinzo Abe popped out of a green pipe dressed as Mario at the closing ceremony of the Olympics, one thought was on my mind: How far off are the Olympics from incorporating video gaming competitions, or, as they're known in the industry, esports? Now, of course, its likely Abe's costume was simply a nod to the integration of video games in Japanese culture (Nintendo being one of their most important soft power sources), but that in itself is important. The next two countries where we'll be seeing the Olympics are South Korea and Japan, countries with good esports integration. But enough of me, lets have some reading.

http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/15232682/esports-olympics-2020-happen

We could see esports become an official part of the Olympic Games by 2020. The International e-Sports Federation (IeSF), a South Korean organization, has received a response from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) outlining the process and next steps to allow esports to be recognized as an Olympic sport.

IeSF submitted a request to the IOC on Feb. 19 to obtain information on how to gain recognition for competitive gaming as part of the Olympic Games. That request was responded to on April 8, and IeSF claims it will follow up the response with all the materials and paperwork needed by the IOC.

IeSF secretary general David Lim told theScore esports in an interview that applicants are required to fill out paperwork that covers basic information, popularity, history and tradition, universality, governance, and development of the sport. The evaluation process of said paperwork is set to begin in December.

Some more reading on the subject.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/25/esports-at-the-olympics-is-a-matter-of-time-not-opinion/
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/10/rio-egames-smite-super-smash-bros/

Now, for those in the know, there's some other interesting relevant information to this topic. Coinciding with this years Olympics, there was the first "eGames", a several day long event featuring competitors from a handful of countries.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35987839
Despite coming straight out of left field, it was backed by the UK government, and so at least had legitimacy. That said, it was pretty poorly executed, to be sure. The event was fine, but the planning was not, and it only had Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Smite, two relatively small esports compared to the cash cows that are DOTA and Starcraft. However, it will be interesting to see if this can be a platform for future eGames, that can be better planned, advertised, and funded. And from there, who knows, maybe onto the actual Olympics, with a large range of games, like Smash, League, DOTA, Starcraft, Street Fighter, Counterstrike, etc.

So NSG, thoughts on this? Will/Should we ever see esports at the Olympics?

[Renewed Imperial Germany-]

No.

[Uxupox]

No.

[The East Marches]

I propose a Paradox Interactive category for esports at the Olympics.

[Washington Resistance Army]

I propose a Paradox Interactive category for esports at the Olympics.

Yes, this.

[Renewed Imperial Germany-]

Honestly I had to take a double take on that title because I misread it as 'Bring Escorts to the Olympics.'

[Treskovia]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSsssssssssss...

[Aelex]

I propose a Paradox Interactive category for esports at the Olympics.

NYEEEEEES!

[Frenequesta]

The Olympics are expressly an athletic competition, not a cognitive one. eSports may deserve some recognition, but to me, Olympics are more about the workmanship of the body rather than the mind.

So it just doesn't fit.

[MERIZoC]

The Olympics are expressly an athletic competition, not a cognitive one. eSports may deserve some recognition, but to me, Olympics are more about the workmanship of the body rather than the mind.

So it just doesn't fit.

Then why are there events like shooting?

[Uxupox]

The Olympics are expressly an athletic competition, not a cognitive one. eSports may deserve some recognition, but to me, Olympics are more about the workmanship of the body rather than the mind.

So it just doesn't fit.

Then why are there events like shooting?

It's a precision sport similar to archery where endurance is a necessity.

[The Northernmost Americas]

Then why are there events like shooting?

Recoil.

[MERIZoC]

Then why are there events like shooting?

It's a precision sport similar to archery where endurance is a necessity.

Its also quite necessary in esports competitions, where one is playing for hours on end. Exhaustion is real.

[Washington Resistance Army]

Then why are there events like shooting?

Recoil.

Not even remotely how that works, lol

Then why are there events like shooting?

It's a precision sport similar to archery where endurance is a necessity.

You don't need a whole lot of endurance for it.

[Frenequesta]

The Olympics are expressly an athletic competition, not a cognitive one. eSports may deserve some recognition, but to me, Olympics are more about the workmanship of the body rather than the mind.

So it just doesn't fit.

Then why are there events like shooting?

Fair point. And even chess is considered a sport by the Olympic International Committee.

I'd rather they get their definitions straight and consistent though...

[Ifreann]

We have things judo and shooting, why not take this to its logical conclusion? Drone combat.

[Uxupox]

Recoil.

Not even remotely how that works, lol

It's a precision sport similar to archery where endurance is a necessity.

You don't need a whole lot of endurance for it.

Might be me but when I'm under the sun and in humidity my aim goes to jack shit when I have unloaded for the past hour.

[Washington Resistance Army]

Not even remotely how that works, lol



You don't need a whole lot of endurance for it.

Might be me but when I'm under the sun and in humidity my aim goes to jack shit when I have unloaded for the past hour.

That's your fault for shooting when it's hot

[Ifreann]

Not even remotely how that works, lol



You don't need a whole lot of endurance for it.

Might be me but when I'm under the sun and in humidity my aim goes to jack shit when I have unloaded for the past hour.

Do Olympic shooting events take that long?

[MERIZoC]

Then why are there events like shooting?

Fair point. And even chess is considered a sport by the Olympic International Committee.

I'd rather they get their definitions straight and consistent though...

I think the idea of what is and isn't a real sport is a silly thing to get hung over on, and the IOC recognizes this. If something can be a legitimate competition, involving skill and a determination to improve and succeed, why not?

[Frenequesta]

We have things judo and shooting, why not take this to its logical conclusion? Drone combat.

Or they can just rationalize their definitions and eliminate those "sports" that are not primarily physical in nature.

They've eliminated perfectly physical sports before; I don't see any reason why they aren't compelled to follow their precedents.

[The East Marches]

The Olympics are expressly an athletic competition, not a cognitive one. eSports may deserve some recognition, but to me, Olympics are more about the workmanship of the body rather than the mind.

So it just doesn't fit.

You should try a HOI3 multiplayer game. My God it takes the endurance of an Olympian to see that through.

[Uxupox]

Might be me but when I'm under the sun and in humidity my aim goes to jack shit when I have unloaded for the past hour.

Do Olympic shooting events take that long?

This sums it up real good. Qualification at 2 hours and 45 minutes seems crazy.

[Frenequesta]

Fair point. And even chess is considered a sport by the Olympic International Committee.

I'd rather they get their definitions straight and consistent though...

I think the idea of what is and isn't a real sport is a silly thing to get hung over on, and the IOC recognizes this. If something can be a legitimate competition, involving skill and a determination to improve and succeed, why not?

I'm not saying that eSports or shooting are not "real" sports, they are just a different sort of sport that does not seem to be what people normally associate with what the Olympics are supposed to exhibit--feats of physical prowess.

[Ifreann]

We have things judo and shooting, why not take this to its logical conclusion? Drone combat.

Or they can just rationalize their definitions and eliminate those "sports" that are not primarily physical in nature.

Bollocks that.

They've eliminated perfectly physical sports before; I don't see any reason why they aren't compelled to follow their precedents.

Maybe they don't give a crap about precedent?