Quick definition:Organised, competitive video gaming in which professional or amateur players and teams compete in tournaments and leagues, often for prizes and in front of large audiences.
Meaning
Esports refers to competitive gaming played at a high level, usually under formal rules. Players compete in genres such as team shooters, battle arena games, fighting games, sports simulations and strategy games, and events range from local contests to world championships. Spectators watch in arenas and online.
Teams are run like sports clubs, with coaches, analysts, sponsors and managers. Matches are streamed online and commentated, drawing large audiences, and the best players earn salaries, prize money and endorsements, though careers can be short.
The scene has its problems, such as burnout, uneven pay and cheating. Governing bodies and publishers set rules, run leagues and sometimes control the licence for their games, which gives them a lot of influence. Supporters say esports offers inclusive opportunities, while critics question the long-term health of the industry.
Origin:Esports is short for electronic sports, a phrase used to describe competitive gaming treated like traditional sport. Organised game competitions go back to the arcade era, and the term spread as online play, streaming and large prize pools grew from the 1990s and 2000s. Spelling varies, including e-sports and eSports, and usage is still debated. Example:On a Saturday evening, thousands of fans fill an arena to watch two teams compete in a final. Commentators describe each round while huge screens show the action. A crowd roars when the underdogs make a surprise play, and the winners lift a trophy beside a banner listing their sponsors.
Did you know?Esports events attract large audiences online and in person, and players often train for many hours a day. Some places treat players as professional athletes, while others still debate whether gaming counts as a sport.
