Video games began as a hobby among friends, but today, they have evolved into a professional and competitive industry that works just like the most popular sports competitions.
The electronic sports, or “e-sports,” industry pertains to multiplayer competitions that occur through computers or mobile devices between professional players.
The e-sports phenomenon is fueled by its players’ competitiveness, driven by the hours they spend training and preparing for competition. Additionally, online streaming services such as Twitch, which has reached an audience of 645 million this year, provide a platform for audiences to witness their training and preparation.
Furthermore, the first and only Fortnite World Cup took place in 2019. The winner of this competition took home $3 million at just 16 years old, a figure close to that received by the winner of Wimbledon.
The success and growth of e-sports are due to years of effort by game developers, sponsors, and users. And the success of the competition winners is the culmination of months of effort, discipline, and determination.
Benefits of e-sports in schools
Participating in extracurricular activities can help students become more committed to their academic performance, attend classes more frequently, avoid harmful behaviors, and understand the importance of teamwork.
Most teenagers have fun playing sports, playing instruments, learning a new skill, and even playing video games. Just as there are sports, art, or music workshops, adding e-sports competitions in schools will help reach students who otherwise would be left out.
Moreover, e-sports could help young people develop various skills, such as teamwork, success and failure management, strategic thinking and planning through objectives, and also enhance their social skills.
Under responsible use and educational guidance, e-sports can be vital to improving student development, debunking myths surrounding video games, and changing the way they are perceived.
