Is gaming (as in video games) a sport?

[vi edit]

Most certainly not.

And for people that don't golf and say it isn't a sport, try this -

Go grab a set of clubs from somebody and head to a driving range and hit through a bucket of 200 balls.

Report back to me the next day on how you feel.

 

[meltdown75]

I would say no. Video GAMES are just that, games. Just like golf is a game even though it gets grouped in with 'sports'.

I'm sure gamers would like to be known as "cyber athletes" though.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: BigJ
Well with that definition, competitive sewing or breathing would also be a sport.

Like deep sea diving?

edit: better yet, how about you find a definition of what a sport is, and lets go from there. All the ones I have read would include chess, poker, and computer gaming.

No, as in actual competitive breathing. Competing against another person to see who can time their breaths the most accurately for example. That would be considered a sport under that definition.

To me a sport means physical interaction (whether its the environment, other competitors, etc; not something that can be done sitting in your basement with all your lights turned off alone), it must demand some level of advanced physical abilitiy, require some level of developed reflexes, and it must require competition. Competitive breathing and sewing do not meet these criteria.

I'll concede that under my defintion, some games such as DDR in an interactive environment would and should be considered sports. They fit and exceed everything I listed above. But in general, video gaming is not a sport.

 

[Cawchy87]

Originally posted by: TravisT
Some people say that sports require some physical ability. But I consider Golf and Fishing sports. So I have to consider gaming a sport as well.

Have you ever golfed before?

 

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Most certainly not.

And for people that don't golf and say it isn't a sport, try this -

Go grab a set of clubs from somebody and head to a driving range and hit through a bucket of 200 balls.

Report back to me the next day on how you feel.

I'm not disagreeing with you but that isn't exactly the best way to determine what makes a sport. Try f@pping 30 times in a day and you'll also be sore.

 

[TravisT]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87

Originally posted by: TravisT
Some people say that sports require some physical ability. But I consider Golf and Fishing sports. So I have to consider gaming a sport as well.

Have you ever golfed before?

Does the driving range part count?

I am not saying that golf takes no physical aspect. But it is no where near close to most other sports that it gets associated with such as baseball, basketball, and football. Technique and things like that are what makes golf a sport, it isn't a sport because have to walk from hole to hole.

Mind you, I believe that the same techniques and skill and things that are associated with golf in making it a sport are very similar to those video games you find people competing in every week.

 

[chuckywang]

No. The question you have to ask yourself if something is a sport is if quadrapelegic can play it without any essential setbacks.

 

[Kev]

"it must demand some level of advanced physical ability"

By this definition golf is not a sport, because 80 year olds play it.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
No. The question you have to ask yourself if something is a sport is if quadrapelegic can play it without any essential setbacks.

Perhaps an adequate definition would require use of the whole body in some fashion or another? i.e. for the traditional sports this is obvious, things like golf would also fit into this category. Most gaming would not, as you are really only using your hands and eyes. Can anyone think of any sports that don't require movement of the body from place to place?

 

[shimsham]

i wouldnt call it a sport or skill

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: eakers
This was proposed to me a few minutes ago as a guy I know was in an argument with his (gamer) roommate.

The evidence supporting it is a sport is that it is played in leagues for prize money and is on tv in korea. The evidence against is ... its a videogame.

I thought I would bring it here for you guys to decide.

When this is the best player in the "sport" it is hard for anyone to take that argument seriously.
Fatal1ty

 

[Kev]

eh

 

[TitanDiddly]

Is defecating a sport? Well, some rednecks say it's a game:
http://www.heremagazine.com/chicken.html

 

[hysperion]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy

Originally posted by: eakers
This was proposed to me a few minutes ago as a guy I know was in an argument with his (gamer) roommate.

The evidence supporting it is a sport is that it is played in leagues for prize money and is on tv in korea. The evidence against is ... its a videogame.

I thought I would bring it here for you guys to decide.

When this is the best player in the "sport" it is hard for anyone to take that argument seriously.
Fatal1ty

:thumbsup:

 

[devilfish]

it takes no PHYSICAL conditioning... in my book.. sports MUST be PHYSICAL... sooo basketball is not a sport.... JUST FOOTBALL!!!!!

 

[MetalMat]

That old track and field nintendo game could be considered a sport since you pretty much had to run in place. Also that Dance Dance Revolution game could be too I guess.

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: Kev
"it must demand some level of advanced physical ability"

By this definition golf is not a sport, because 80 year olds play it.

There are Senior recreational leagues in everything these days. Are you saying once you're old, it should no longer be considered a sport?

Plus take into consideration the level of play. PGA level golf is most definitely a sport. Driving around in a golf cart racing your friendsl, drinking beers, and taking a swing at the ball every once in awhile or some old guys putting around smoking cigars while hitting a ball every once in awhile is hard to call a sport.

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: BroeBo
I made a thread about this one time. Its a tough argument and people who say no usually don't have a good reason to denounce it as not being a sport.

the dictionary definition says:

sport (spôrt, sport) pronunciation
n.

1. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

so by that broad definition, video gaming is a sport. however, video gaming is obviously not a physical sport compared to basketball, football, soccer, etc.

In that sense any form of gaming that contain a ?set of rules? can be call a sport. Such as Monopoly, hide & seek, cross puzzles, The Price is Right, etc?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: devilfish
it takes no PHYSICAL conditioning... in my book.. sports MUST be PHYSICAL... sooo basketball is not a sport.... JUST FOOTBALL!!!!!

Riiiiiiiight. Not physical. Tell that to Lebron who had his face busted. Or Kobe who blew up his ankle. Or Richard Hamilton who tore ligaments in his wrist. Or all the guys who have blown out ACL and MCLs.

Basketball is an incredibly physical game. I know you are being somewhat sarcastic, but I don't think a lot of people who don't follow basketball understand how physically demanding it really is.

Right now 7 of my 14 fantasy BB players are out with various injuries .

 

[nakedfrog]

Yes

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: TravisT

Originally posted by: Cawchy87

Originally posted by: TravisT
Some people say that sports require some physical ability. But I consider Golf and Fishing sports. So I have to consider gaming a sport as well.

Have you ever golfed before?

Does the driving range part count?

I am not saying that golf takes no physical aspect. But it is no where near close to most other sports that it gets associated with such as baseball, basketball, and football. Technique and things like that are what makes golf a sport, it isn't a sport because have to walk from hole to hole.

Mind you, I believe that the same techniques and skill and things that are associated with golf in making it a sport are very similar to those video games you find people competing in every week.

Golf is a sport.

Im not talking about smoke with your buddies and screw around not caring about anything golf. That is just killing time. Im talking about those that try to beat the course. That's the type of golf I play. It's extremely challenging and anyone who says it's easy has never really played.

 

[DainBramaged]

Since it's about the only sport that I participate in, YES!

 

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy

Originally posted by: eakers
This was proposed to me a few minutes ago as a guy I know was in an argument with his (gamer) roommate.

The evidence supporting it is a sport is that it is played in leagues for prize money and is on tv in korea. The evidence against is ... its a videogame.

I thought I would bring it here for you guys to decide.

When this is the best player in the "sport" it is hard for anyone to take that argument seriously.
Fatal1ty

OMFG I can't believe he actually has a signature for his nic. Maybe I should start working on a Whiteknight signature so that in case I ever start gaming and rise to the top I'll be all ready when my 1337 custom mobo comes out.

 

[TravisT]

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3

Originally posted by: TravisT

Originally posted by: Cawchy87

Originally posted by: TravisT
Some people say that sports require some physical ability. But I consider Golf and Fishing sports. So I have to consider gaming a sport as well.

Have you ever golfed before?

Does the driving range part count?

I am not saying that golf takes no physical aspect. But it is no where near close to most other sports that it gets associated with such as baseball, basketball, and football. Technique and things like that are what makes golf a sport, it isn't a sport because have to walk from hole to hole.

Mind you, I believe that the same techniques and skill and things that are associated with golf in making it a sport are very similar to those video games you find people competing in every week.

Golf is a sport.

Im not talking about smoke with your buddies and screw around not caring about anything golf. That is just killing time. Im talking about those that try to beat the course. That's the type of golf I play. It's extremely challenging and anyone who says it's easy has never really played.

I am not disagreeing that Golf is a sport. I am saying that if you believe Golf is a sport, you should believe that Competitive Video gaming is a sport as well.

I'm not talking about smoke with your buddies and screw around not caring about anything video gaming. That is just killing time. Im talking about those that try to beat an opposing team. Thats the type of gaming I play. It's extremely challenging and anyone who says it's easy has never really played competitively.

 

[desteffy]

not on the same level as many sports. but probably on the same level as something like golf.