Even esports have been officially recognized as a sports project, they are still full of controversy. How long have e-sports been removed from the wild recognition of the public and traditional sports?
Current: the coexistence of difficulties and hope
On July 22, 2014, Newbee won Q14 and won $ 5 million in prize money, causing a sensation. Such a large number of bonuses even attracted the attention of many traditional print media. E-sports expanded their impacts with this opportunity successfully. On the other hand, some opinions of media workers reflect the thoughts of the general public: Can playing games also make money? It shows that esports still have a long way to go if they want to be accepted by traditional minds.
It can be said that, with the impact of network addiction, public misunderstandings are not accidental. According to voting by People’s Daily Online, only 20% of voters approve of esports being counted as a sports project. This survey also reflects that people do not understand esports and confuse them with online games.
Difficulties come not only from the outside, but also from the inside. There are famous players Sky and Newbee, but also normal players who find themselves in a difficult situation do not even get a job with a stable salary and receive the support of their family. Even Newbee dared to confess to her parents after her success. Also, from a hobby to a career, hard training cannot be neglected. Professional players need to train at least 10 hours every day.
Like other traditional sports, retirement also exists among esports players. The golden age for esports is between the ages of 18 and 25. Having a poor education during this period is one of the biggest reasons for public misunderstanding.
As an industry that is gradually exploring business patterns and forming an industrial chain, it still has a long way to go. Although facing barriers and obstacles along the way, China’s esports industry is still full of hope with the efforts of government, capital, gamers, and manufacturers. It is becoming a traditional and serious industry.
An official of the General Administration of Sports of the State says that: All sport is the product of the development of social productive forces and changes in society. Track and field from the agrarian age; cycling races from the industrial age and e-sports from the information and technology age, which represents the attitude of government departments. There is a phrase that could judge esports objectively: esports players are not a group of people addicted to games, but someone who tries to achieve themselves in games.
Manufacturers and capitals will focus on chains and players in the esports industry. Except for hosting competitions with high rewards, the popularity of live streaming platforms, such as Douyu TV or Zhanqi TV, provides stable earnings for esports players.
Future: passion will last forever
Only passion and hope can help this industry develop, change and advance. To be honest, esports is a high stakes career. Great pressure and prejudice must be accepted no matter who wants to be part of this industry. It has nothing to do with wealth, reputation, and status. Pleasures deep in your heart matter. Focus and dedication matter.
I admire those athletes who try to challenge the limit of being human again and again. But I also admire esports players who put their precious time and energy into it, even risk misinterpreting them. They also deserve a hug, a bouquet of flowers, and a friendly smile.