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Well, obviously not, but they bloody well should be.
This about it: A sport is a test of skill, strength and stamina. Whether it’s throw a ball the furthest distance, run quite a long way or hit a little red target with an arrow from a stupidly large distance, it’s still down to either skill, strength or stamina.
It’s the same with games. OK, maybe not so much the strength part, but quick fingers are a necessity. Skill plays a very large part in gaming, as it does in any sport. Also, some games such as GT3 endurance, you have to have a large amount of physical and mental stamina. Some tracks can be very tiring, and after a couple of hours, concentration wanes. Doing the same thing 150 times is all very well on paper, but mistakes bring consequences, and not all laps are the same. Each one requires slightly different braking, maybe a slight adjustment for the tyres, a little weave to pass a car. All require you to be alert and at 100%, 100% of the time.
OK, so what other similarities are there? Well, practise is a big one. Sportsmen and women spend hours and hours practising, honing their skills, perfect their technique, as do gamers. You can’t just enter a javelin event from the street, in the same way you can’t just “decide” to have a shot at GOTY. In order to succeed, you’ve got to be the best in your field, which takes months, maybe years of studying, hard work and determination. How many of us have tried perfecting their 10-hit combos in Tekken? How many of us have tried learning every gradient, angle and surface of Deep Forrest? How many of us know where every single weapon, portal and health pack is in Facing Worlds? Sports competitors know every inch of their field to the slightest detail. The best angle of takeoff, correct breathing, tactical field positions, everything.
Even if we put all those similarities aside, the biggest piece of evidence comes from the nature of sport itself. Most sports are nothing more than games themselves. Football, hockey, tennis, they are all means of recreation. Commonwealth Games? Olympic Games? Sport is a game. You play it, you have fun, and you enjoy doing it even in a competitive environment, just like games.
So, should games be classed as a sport? I think so. Computer gaming is a fairly recent phenomenon. Only in the last 6 years have computer games become widespread and popular. I see no reason why computer games shouldn’t be classed as a sport, and why international, televised competitions shouldn’t be held. Watching virtual combatants fight it out in fantastic ways isn’t any less exciting than watching a load of overpaid blokes run after a ball for 90 minutes. Computer games have grossly overlooked these days. Very rarely do they get press coverage, and when they do it’s always wildly inaccurate, and written by someone who last played games on his Atari. Television networks passed through the PlayStation 2 launch without batting an eyelid. The Daily Mail ran a feature a week later, but most of it was twaddle, and they clearly didn’t know anything about it.
I think computer games, or “digital sports”, should get more attention in the 21st Century. Games are no longer geeky or nerdy, and require an underestimated amount of skill and determination to master. Some hardcore games such as those found at i8 probably have more skill in their 10 fingers than David Beckham has in his whole body. These days, computer games are more than just games, in the same way that football is more than just a game, and I think it’s time for the world to put away its prejudices and bring gaming into the open.
Well, that’s what I think, but I am a bit of a nutter after all!
This about it: A sport is a test of skill, strength and stamina. Whether it’s throw a ball the furthest distance, run quite a long way or hit a little red target with an arrow from a stupidly large distance, it’s still down to either skill, strength or stamina.
It’s the same with games. OK, maybe not so much the strength part, but quick fingers are a necessity. Skill plays a very large part in gaming, as it does in any sport. Also, some games such as GT3 endurance, you have to have a large amount of physical and mental stamina. Some tracks can be very tiring, and after a couple of hours, concentration wanes. Doing the same thing 150 times is all very well on paper, but mistakes bring consequences, and not all laps are the same. Each one requires slightly different braking, maybe a slight adjustment for the tyres, a little weave to pass a car. All require you to be alert and at 100%, 100% of the time.
OK, so what other similarities are there? Well, practise is a big one. Sportsmen and women spend hours and hours practising, honing their skills, perfect their technique, as do gamers. You can’t just enter a javelin event from the street, in the same way you can’t just “decide” to have a shot at GOTY. In order to succeed, you’ve got to be the best in your field, which takes months, maybe years of studying, hard work and determination. How many of us have tried perfecting their 10-hit combos in Tekken? How many of us have tried learning every gradient, angle and surface of Deep Forrest? How many of us know where every single weapon, portal and health pack is in Facing Worlds? Sports competitors know every inch of their field to the slightest detail. The best angle of takeoff, correct breathing, tactical field positions, everything.
Even if we put all those similarities aside, the biggest piece of evidence comes from the nature of sport itself. Most sports are nothing more than games themselves. Football, hockey, tennis, they are all means of recreation. Commonwealth Games? Olympic Games? Sport is a game. You play it, you have fun, and you enjoy doing it even in a competitive environment, just like games.
So, should games be classed as a sport? I think so. Computer gaming is a fairly recent phenomenon. Only in the last 6 years have computer games become widespread and popular. I see no reason why computer games shouldn’t be classed as a sport, and why international, televised competitions shouldn’t be held. Watching virtual combatants fight it out in fantastic ways isn’t any less exciting than watching a load of overpaid blokes run after a ball for 90 minutes. Computer games have grossly overlooked these days. Very rarely do they get press coverage, and when they do it’s always wildly inaccurate, and written by someone who last played games on his Atari. Television networks passed through the PlayStation 2 launch without batting an eyelid. The Daily Mail ran a feature a week later, but most of it was twaddle, and they clearly didn’t know anything about it.
I think computer games, or “digital sports”, should get more attention in the 21st Century. Games are no longer geeky or nerdy, and require an underestimated amount of skill and determination to master. Some hardcore games such as those found at i8 probably have more skill in their 10 fingers than David Beckham has in his whole body. These days, computer games are more than just games, in the same way that football is more than just a game, and I think it’s time for the world to put away its prejudices and bring gaming into the open.
Well, that’s what I think, but I am a bit of a nutter after all!
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I see what you mean and great topic by the way.
Before I read this I was thinking to saying "Drinking, eating snacks and leaving a Butt print in the sofa after several hours, very atletic" but I understand about the mental challange which is most deffinitly true.
And the televised gaming events are a superb idea. I mean there is gardening on TV, but noting really to do with gameing( Bits and Cybernet do not count because they are crap).
Oh and I was thinking there could be a Decathlon or whatever, 10 games are randomly picked out of a hat and the winner of it all would be declared chappion. Think about it, 10 games played in a row with a big prize at stake, your brain would be melting.
The TV gaming event idea should be sent to ITV (ok more realiticly Channel 5) by the way.
Before I read this I was thinking to saying "Drinking, eating snacks and leaving a Butt print in the sofa after several hours, very atletic" but I understand about the mental challange which is most deffinitly true.
And the televised gaming events are a superb idea. I mean there is gardening on TV, but noting really to do with gameing( Bits and Cybernet do not count because they are crap).
Oh and I was thinking there could be a Decathlon or whatever, 10 games are randomly picked out of a hat and the winner of it all would be declared chappion. Think about it, 10 games played in a row with a big prize at stake, your brain would be melting.
The TV gaming event idea should be sent to ITV (ok more realiticly Channel 5) by the way.
Hmmm, quite an interesting and contoversial subject, this. In my opinion, there are three types of classifications in this area - something can be called a sport, a hobby or work. For example, football can be classified as all of the above three - as a sport because it is a leisurely past time that is not essential for the running of the planet, but can be enjoyed upon milllions of folk around the world.
It can be called a hobby because it may be enjoyed by oneself (I'm going all upper class here), but not taken seriously enough so that the winning does not matter - it is merely a way to enjoy something with others including themselves, and nothing more. Finally, it can be called work, for those who DO take it seriously, be it for money or just professionalism. if that's a word. Gaming, like football, are all of the above three. Most think of gaming as a hobby, some as a sport when playing competively with friends, and a few (but the numbers are growing) call it work, as they get paid for playing (and winning) games.
It can be called a hobby because it may be enjoyed by oneself (I'm going all upper class here), but not taken seriously enough so that the winning does not matter - it is merely a way to enjoy something with others including themselves, and nothing more. Finally, it can be called work, for those who DO take it seriously, be it for money or just professionalism. if that's a word. Gaming, like football, are all of the above three. Most think of gaming as a hobby, some as a sport when playing competively with friends, and a few (but the numbers are growing) call it work, as they get paid for playing (and winning) games.
I don't think that Games should be classed as sport (although you're more likely to break a sweat playing a challenging game than playing golf!).
I think that Games will become a national competition in it's own right.
Once console broadband takes off, online gaming will become a regular thing for all people.
Cometitions will be as easy as phone-in ones.
People will compete in deathmatches in their own home which millions will view on TV for the gaming championship.
I think that Games will replace sports, the human muscles will deteriorate and we'll become a race of brains in jars.
I think that Games will become a national competition in it's own right.
Once console broadband takes off, online gaming will become a regular thing for all people.
Cometitions will be as easy as phone-in ones.
People will compete in deathmatches in their own home which millions will view on TV for the gaming championship.
I think that Games will replace sports, the human muscles will deteriorate and we'll become a race of brains in jars.
Im not sure how it could be classed as a sport, for one each sport is different each time you play it whereas games seem to follow a linear patteren and you can master one game without really being good at any other games. I can see what you mean though that alot of the skills and preperation that is used for sports in principal is similar to gaming.
Most of the time both are done for the fun of it with gaming being far more fair as it dosn't matter how tall you are or what weight you are anyone can do it and be good at it with a little practice.
In the same way as many sports do games make you want to win and be the best. but I still don't think it can be classified as a sport. Not yet anyway.
Most of the time both are done for the fun of it with gaming being far more fair as it dosn't matter how tall you are or what weight you are anyone can do it and be good at it with a little practice.
In the same way as many sports do games make you want to win and be the best. but I still don't think it can be classified as a sport. Not yet anyway.
I suppose, but there could be a special event were an unknown game is played.
No, it wouldn't be the best gamer, because you don't have the best sportsman, do you.
It would be over a range of genres, and one game would probably be fixed. Maybe, GT3 for racers, Virtua Fighter 4 for beat 'em' ups and Super Bust-a-move for puzzlers.
It would be over a range of genres, and one game would probably be fixed. Maybe, GT3 for racers, Virtua Fighter 4 for beat 'em' ups and Super Bust-a-move for puzzlers.
I only problem i see is how you will find out who the best gamer is. Usually a gamer will concentrate on one game and make himself best at that game, so he will be rather poor at other games.
Could there be another way of testing gamers skills? Maybe if gaming was at the olympics one day, then all the entrants would have to play a prevouisly unseen game, to see who is best. I think this is the only way to keep it equal and fair.
Could there be another way of testing gamers skills? Maybe if gaming was at the olympics one day, then all the entrants would have to play a prevouisly unseen game, to see who is best. I think this is the only way to keep it equal and fair.
Well, obviously not, but they bloody well should be.
This about it: A sport is a test of skill, strength and stamina. Whether it’s throw a ball the furthest distance, run quite a long way or hit a little red target with an arrow from a stupidly large distance, it’s still down to either skill, strength or stamina.
It’s the same with games. OK, maybe not so much the strength part, but quick fingers are a necessity. Skill plays a very large part in gaming, as it does in any sport. Also, some games such as GT3 endurance, you have to have a large amount of physical and mental stamina. Some tracks can be very tiring, and after a couple of hours, concentration wanes. Doing the same thing 150 times is all very well on paper, but mistakes bring consequences, and not all laps are the same. Each one requires slightly different braking, maybe a slight adjustment for the tyres, a little weave to pass a car. All require you to be alert and at 100%, 100% of the time.
OK, so what other similarities are there? Well, practise is a big one. Sportsmen and women spend hours and hours practising, honing their skills, perfect their technique, as do gamers. You can’t just enter a javelin event from the street, in the same way you can’t just “decide” to have a shot at GOTY. In order to succeed, you’ve got to be the best in your field, which takes months, maybe years of studying, hard work and determination. How many of us have tried perfecting their 10-hit combos in Tekken? How many of us have tried learning every gradient, angle and surface of Deep Forrest? How many of us know where every single weapon, portal and health pack is in Facing Worlds? Sports competitors know every inch of their field to the slightest detail. The best angle of takeoff, correct breathing, tactical field positions, everything.
Even if we put all those similarities aside, the biggest piece of evidence comes from the nature of sport itself. Most sports are nothing more than games themselves. Football, hockey, tennis, they are all means of recreation. Commonwealth Games? Olympic Games? Sport is a game. You play it, you have fun, and you enjoy doing it even in a competitive environment, just like games.
So, should games be classed as a sport? I think so. Computer gaming is a fairly recent phenomenon. Only in the last 6 years have computer games become widespread and popular. I see no reason why computer games shouldn’t be classed as a sport, and why international, televised competitions shouldn’t be held. Watching virtual combatants fight it out in fantastic ways isn’t any less exciting than watching a load of overpaid blokes run after a ball for 90 minutes. Computer games have grossly overlooked these days. Very rarely do they get press coverage, and when they do it’s always wildly inaccurate, and written by someone who last played games on his Atari. Television networks passed through the PlayStation 2 launch without batting an eyelid. The Daily Mail ran a feature a week later, but most of it was twaddle, and they clearly didn’t know anything about it.
I think computer games, or “digital sports”, should get more attention in the 21st Century. Games are no longer geeky or nerdy, and require an underestimated amount of skill and determination to master. Some hardcore games such as those found at i8 probably have more skill in their 10 fingers than David Beckham has in his whole body. These days, computer games are more than just games, in the same way that football is more than just a game, and I think it’s time for the world to put away its prejudices and bring gaming into the open.
Well, that’s what I think, but I am a bit of a nutter after all!
This about it: A sport is a test of skill, strength and stamina. Whether it’s throw a ball the furthest distance, run quite a long way or hit a little red target with an arrow from a stupidly large distance, it’s still down to either skill, strength or stamina.
It’s the same with games. OK, maybe not so much the strength part, but quick fingers are a necessity. Skill plays a very large part in gaming, as it does in any sport. Also, some games such as GT3 endurance, you have to have a large amount of physical and mental stamina. Some tracks can be very tiring, and after a couple of hours, concentration wanes. Doing the same thing 150 times is all very well on paper, but mistakes bring consequences, and not all laps are the same. Each one requires slightly different braking, maybe a slight adjustment for the tyres, a little weave to pass a car. All require you to be alert and at 100%, 100% of the time.
OK, so what other similarities are there? Well, practise is a big one. Sportsmen and women spend hours and hours practising, honing their skills, perfect their technique, as do gamers. You can’t just enter a javelin event from the street, in the same way you can’t just “decide” to have a shot at GOTY. In order to succeed, you’ve got to be the best in your field, which takes months, maybe years of studying, hard work and determination. How many of us have tried perfecting their 10-hit combos in Tekken? How many of us have tried learning every gradient, angle and surface of Deep Forrest? How many of us know where every single weapon, portal and health pack is in Facing Worlds? Sports competitors know every inch of their field to the slightest detail. The best angle of takeoff, correct breathing, tactical field positions, everything.
Even if we put all those similarities aside, the biggest piece of evidence comes from the nature of sport itself. Most sports are nothing more than games themselves. Football, hockey, tennis, they are all means of recreation. Commonwealth Games? Olympic Games? Sport is a game. You play it, you have fun, and you enjoy doing it even in a competitive environment, just like games.
So, should games be classed as a sport? I think so. Computer gaming is a fairly recent phenomenon. Only in the last 6 years have computer games become widespread and popular. I see no reason why computer games shouldn’t be classed as a sport, and why international, televised competitions shouldn’t be held. Watching virtual combatants fight it out in fantastic ways isn’t any less exciting than watching a load of overpaid blokes run after a ball for 90 minutes. Computer games have grossly overlooked these days. Very rarely do they get press coverage, and when they do it’s always wildly inaccurate, and written by someone who last played games on his Atari. Television networks passed through the PlayStation 2 launch without batting an eyelid. The Daily Mail ran a feature a week later, but most of it was twaddle, and they clearly didn’t know anything about it.
I think computer games, or “digital sports”, should get more attention in the 21st Century. Games are no longer geeky or nerdy, and require an underestimated amount of skill and determination to master. Some hardcore games such as those found at i8 probably have more skill in their 10 fingers than David Beckham has in his whole body. These days, computer games are more than just games, in the same way that football is more than just a game, and I think it’s time for the world to put away its prejudices and bring gaming into the open.
Well, that’s what I think, but I am a bit of a nutter after all!
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