esports played warm-up to this year’s Winter Olympics. Now recognized as “real” sports by Olympic officials, esports are gunning for a spot of their own in the medal table.
Intel Corp, an Olympic sponsor, brought professional gamers to PyongChang to play Starcraft II, a popular real-time strategy game that involves tactical thinking, concentration, and quick reflexes – and rekindled the debate on whether the rigorous requirements are enough for esports to become part of the Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already recognized esports as a “sporting activity,” as have a few nations. The next logical step is for it to go Olympic – which could happen as soon as 2024.
Darren will present his thinking on the next steps for esports and explore the pros and cons of being fully integrated within the Olympics.
Darren Kwan – AESA