Is gaming (as in video games) a sport?

[Atomicus]

I think Jonathan Wendel would disagree with a big portion of you. And his endorsements + cash prizes + prizes + free cars is a testiment to that.

 

[kcthomas]

i consider a sport to have the following qualities
1) physical activity - (rules out video games, chess, poker...)
2) must be competing against someone who has a direct influence on your performance - (rules out golf)

<-----golfer

 

[cosine17]

Computer gaming CAN be a sport. just like the NFL and NHL etc you have local teams and people who just play with friends.

Look at teams like 3D (http://www.team3d.net) Complexity (http://www.complexityclan.com/) or NoA (http://www.teamnoa.net) all of which have numerous sponsers like Nvidia, Shuttle, Subway, etc etc. They get a salary for playing games and are PAID to play They have contracts and everything. Thats amazing. The funny thing is that you can say that it takes no skill, but the people who make it to to the top ranks of CAL (Cyberathlete Amateur League www.caleague.com) or CPL (Cyberathlete Professional League www.thecpl.com) get there because they have put in the time and effort but also have the raw skill needed. Teams have been playing just outside the realm of invite (the top grouping of CAL, 20 teams that are basically professionals. most have sponsers, some have salaries) but cant make it cause they lack the talent.

You also have the individual pro gamers, like fatality, wombat, and destrukt.

The problem is that most people view video games as still a recreational activity (not even gonna deal with the whole, no athletecism thing) but it is growing. The only other major problem is that there is no standard for professional gaming (if you define professional as, living off your salary/winnings, then yes there are pro gamers). The biggest game is probably counter-strike. but there is also the 1v1 fps games, like quake 3 and painkiller. Plus you have the whole rts scene of 1v1 wc3.

If you can consider something like billiards or curling a sport, theres no reason gaming shouldnt also be.

www.gotfrag.com is a great place to find various articles and opinion peices on this (granted it is biased because hell, it IS an esports website but the thought is still there).

sorry for being random and disorganized, but theres alot of good info in those links.

 

[jjones]

Saying that gaming is a sport would be like saying that prestidigitation is a sport.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: kcthomas
i consider a sport to have the following qualities
1) physical activity - (rules out video games, chess, poker...)
2) must be competing against someone who has a direct influence on your performance - (rules out golf)

<-----golfer

So let's say that your competitor is at -2 and you are at Even on the 18th hole.
It's a par 4 where you can take a shortcut over a small pond but get on the green in 1 (risk going in the water) where you can 1 putt and tie, or play it safe and go around and lose. Are you saying that wont affect your decision?

If you hit it in the water, that affects your overall performance, and the only reason you tried to go that route is because of your opponent.

Just bringing that up for discussion.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: cosine17
If you can consider something like billiards or curling a sport, theres no reason gaming shouldnt also be.

again, in the literal sense they are sports. however, they aren't in the same class as physical sports like basketball, football, hockey, etc. there's no way you can compare the two.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Atomicus
I think Jonathan Wendel would disagree with a big portion of you. And his endorsements + cash prizes + prizes + free cars is a testiment to that.

I think Johnathan Wendel & most of the pro golfers got their @sses kicked in school by people who play real sports....namely football, boxing, rugby, wrestling, and alot of others.

It's great that people can make a living playing a game, but to compare it with real sports is ridiculous, even when talking about golf, bowling, nascar, or any other fanatically defended "sport"(I meant game).

I have been a gamer for over 15 years and have been ranked in the top 20 in a couple of online games, but in no way did it ever come close to hitting a 95mph fastball or blocking a 300lb steroid monster who wanted nothing more than to kill me. I will say this for gaming, and I think those who have played competitively would agree, high level competitive gaming requires a focus & intensity that very few people can handle.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: BigJNo, 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.

There is a competition for straight breathing (holding the breath). Look up the record in the Guiness book. Oh, and tell those people they aren't "physically active." It take a LOT of training to hold your breath for extended periods, which is why I mentioned the deep sea diving (free diving).

That's the problem. Definations don't depend on your perception... Basically your adding "strenuous" to physical activity, or quantifying how much physical activity is necessary, but that isn't in the definition.

BTW, DDR can be done in your basement with all the lights turned off...

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.

They cannot play FPS games for example at a competitve level, so games would clear that hurdle. Also, don't forget about the special olympics.

Again, just because you don't "think" it's a sport doesn't make that true. I'm surprised how many people don't see the obvious here.

Physical activity required, check.
Rules, check.
Played competitively, check.
PC gaming=sport, check.

 

[KnickNut3]

Anyone who says golf isn't a sport doesn't understand the game.
That or they consider riding around on a cart, drinking drinking a six-pack, and lying their way to a 98 golf.

Practically every professional golfer under 35 is in phenominal physical shape. Even older golfers and guys with a few extra pounds probably have the flexibility, stamina, and fast twitch muscles to match any other professional athlete.

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3

Originally posted by: kcthomas
i consider a sport to have the following qualities
1) physical activity - (rules out video games, chess, poker...)
2) must be competing against someone who has a direct influence on your performance - (rules out golf)

<-----golfer

So let's say that your competitor is at -2 and you are at Even on the 18th hole.
It's a par 4 where you can take a shortcut over a small pond but get on the green in 1 (risk going in the water) where you can 1 putt and tie, or play it safe and go around and lose. Are you saying that wont affect your decision?

If you hit it in the water, that affects your overall performance, and the only reason you tried to go that route is because of your opponent.

Just bringing that up for discussion.

the difference is the competition has no chance to directly control/alter/challenge your ball. its just you and the course.

by your requirements, ice skating (the dancing kind, not the racing, as racing is a sport) is a sport.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
Again, just because you don't "think" it's a sport doesn't make that true. I'm surprised how many people don't see the obvious here.

Physical activity required, check.
Rules, check.
Played competitively, check.
PC gaming=sport, check.

like i mentioned above, by the dictionary definition, it's a sport.

remember the football game you play on a table with a folded up piece of paper? that would be a sport too. hell, thumbwrestling is a sport by that definition.

HOWEVER, you can't honestly say that playing a FPS in your underwear with greasy fingers and potato chips on your shirt is in the same category as playing a full court basketball game or playing ice hockey.

 

[KnickNut3]

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.

Terrible argument. I'm sure there are 80 year olds who play softball, basketball, and football. I guess they're not sports either.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: OffTopic
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?
[/quote]

Yes, that is correct. The "big wheel" could be considered a sport. Like that silly ice sport with brooms and a heavy rock, and bowling.

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: BigJNo, 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.

There is a competition for straight breathing (holding the breath). Look up the record in the Guiness book. Oh, and tell those people they aren't "physically active." It take a LOT of training to hold your breath for extended periods, which is why I mentioned the deep sea diving (free diving).

That's the problem. Definations don't depend on your perception... Basically your adding "strenuous" to physical activity, or quantifying how much physical activity is necessary, but that isn't in the definition.

BTW, DDR can be done in your basement with all the lights turned off...

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.

They cannot play FPS games for example at a competitve level, so games would clear that hurdle. Also, don't forget about the special olympics.

Again, just because you don't "think" it's a sport doesn't make that true. I'm surprised how many people don't see the obvious here.

Physical activity required, check.
Rules, check.
Played competitively, check.
PC gaming=sport, check.

oh come on. moving your fingers and eyeballs is considered physical activity now? in that case, is typing a sport? say put two people on the same comp and who ever types in the missing word the fastest is now an athlete?

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
Again, just because you don't "think" it's a sport doesn't make that true. I'm surprised how many people don't see the obvious here.

Physical activity required, check.
Rules, check.
Played competitively, check.
PC gaming=sport, check.

like i mentioned above, by the dictionary definition, it's a sport.

remember the football game you play on a table with a folded up piece of paper? that would be a sport too. hell, thumbwrestling is a sport by that definition.

HOWEVER, you can't honestly say that playing a FPS in your underwear with greasy fingers and potato chips on your shirt is in the same category as playing a full court basketball game or playing ice hockey.

The question has nothing to do with comparisons to other sports like football. I'm not comparing the two. I completely agree with you it's not the same, but how is that relevant?

I can list hundreds of ways hockey is different than football (ball vs. puck, differnt scoring, etc.) but that doesn't make one a sport and the other something else... Apples and orages are both fruits afterall.

 

[KnickNut3]

I think there is a pretty definitive line between relatively slowly moving activities with a physical aspect (golf, curling, bowling, etc. = sports) and activities that require someone to move their body to participate (board games, video games, poker, etc.).

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: shimsham
oh come on. moving your fingers and eyeballs is considered physical activity now? in that case, is typing a sport? say put two people on the same comp and who ever types in the missing word the fastest is now an athlete?

:roll: Go bitch at websters, or the people who write definitions not me... I'm just reading and comprehending, your just trying to compare it to football/baseball/<insert "classic sport">.

Oh, and typing is competative, there is a record holder for that too. So yes, when played competativly, typing is a sport.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

OK I think we all agree it is a sport by definition, but most of us do not consider gaming, golf, nascar, or anything that doesn't require a high exsertion of energy a TRUE sport. Will people mak money playing gamed? Yes, it's a multibillion dollar industry. Will gaming ever be looked upon as a sport by anyone who actually played a sport? Not even close.

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: shimsham
oh come on. moving your fingers and eyeballs is considered physical activity now? in that case, is typing a sport? say put two people on the same comp and who ever types in the missing word the fastest is now an athlete?

:roll: Go bitch at websters, or the people who write definitions not me... I'm just reading and comprehending, your just trying to compare it to football/baseball/<insert "classic sport">.

Oh, and typing is competative, there is a record holder for that too. So yes, when played competativly, typing is a sport.

and blinking? what about competitive heart rates? those are physical activities also, but i dont think even webster would consider them a sport.

no one is bitching, its just sad that people consider typing and clicking a mouse a physical activity. the definition is being taken too literal.

edit: and i dont think its a sport because im comparing it to the other "classic" sports. a sport is when you compete against someone/a team who can have direct control over your performance in direct physical competition. not sitting on their ass. thats why we have two different words: game and sport.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

OOOH, Speed Programming could be the next big sport!!! Get 2 nerds and see who could cade faster!! Awesome, not.

 

[CraigRT]

l33t sk1llz

that's it.

(I'm a gamer)

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: shimsham
and blinking? what about competitive heart rates? those are physical activities also, but i dont think even webster would consider them a sport.

no one is bitching, its just sad that people consider typing and clicking a mouse a physical activity. the definition is being taken too literal.

Is it competiative?
Are there rules?
Is it physical?

Then it's a sport. Reading comprehension --

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: shimsham
oh come on. moving your fingers and eyeballs is considered physical activity now? in that case, is typing a sport? say put two people on the same comp and who ever types in the missing word the fastest is now an athlete?

:roll: Go bitch at websters, or the people who write definitions not me... I'm just reading and comprehending, your just trying to compare it to football/baseball/<insert "classic sport">.

Oh, and typing is competative, there is a record holder for that too. So yes, when played competativly, typing is a sport.

there IS a difference between a literal dictionary definition and an understood social definition.

go tell anyone that you are a serious sports player......then tell them you play video games every night.

you'll get laughed at 99% of the time. are people being ignorant of the definition of a sport? no. you're confusing a dictionary definition with implied social meanings.

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: shimsham
and blinking? what about competitive heart rates? those are physical activities also, but i dont think even webster would consider them a sport.

no one is bitching, its just sad that people consider typing and clicking a mouse a physical activity. the definition is being taken too literal.

Is it competiative?
Are there rules?
Is it physical?

Then it's a sport. Reading comprehension --

lol whatever. you keep humpin ol' webster, and the rest of us will go on and enjoy our sports in the real world.

by the way, check definition 3c.

 

[iamme]

here's an analogy:

the literal definition of a computer:

com·put·er (k?m-pyu't?r) pronunciation
n.
1. A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.

by that definition, a microwave oven is a computer. if you're a microwave oven repair man but you tell everyone that you're a "computer repairman", you're being too literal. you could carry around a dictionary and show everyone the definition, but according to the social and implied meanings, you're NOT a computer repairman.