E-Sports Stake Their Claim Over Youth Sports
Th3 R1Z3
The world of e-sports is a daunting one for the uninitiated. Those that understand the intricacies of the acronyms for names, the peculiar spellings of names often an almost indecipherable conglomeration of numbers and letters, and the enjoyment that can be had escaping into an ethereal other realm claim e-sports as their favorite hobby and potential career pursuit.
Parents often find themselves dazed with their minds reeling from the information overload when their children speak of their favorite hobby, video games. Children often become so infatuated with their favorite game. Whole days seem to slip away.
However, e-sports are a rising tide of enjoyment, professionalism, and career pursuit. They have begun edging out more traditional sports such as baseball, football, and basketball.
Some blame the Pandemic for this meteoric rise, but a far simpler answer is the fact that video games are fun.
Smash the Pandemic
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate heralded the latest Nintendo system, the Nintendo Switch, and launched yet another flurry of activity for the platform and e-sports at large. Beginning with Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64, the title has often carried Nintendo into the next generation with high regards as the next generation took up their controllers to duke it out with their friends to show which beloved Nintendo and other developers’ characters could reign supreme.
Now, Smash Ultimate has continued that trend with two more ex-players taking their place, David and Matthew Grimes.
David, 13, and Matthew, 11, began their journey with Smash Ultimate because they were forced into it when the Pandemic struck. Before, both boys focused primarily on soccer, swimming, basketball and golf, but now they toss in e-sports.
Their parents, Tony and Dawnita Grimes, encourage their boys in their enjoyment as they listen to their sons discuss which character and strategy are best to utilize against another character and strategy. Tony, a former football player, even joins in to conquer the digital realm.
David and Matthew join countless other children in foregoing traditional sports. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, in 2018, only 38 percent of children ages 6 to 12 participated in team sports. And, according to Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program, in September of 2021, 28% of parents with children in youth sports said their child was no longer interested in playing sports.
Letting Kids Be Kids
Most children play sports because they find great enjoyment in the game. However, in traditional sports, a coach and parent can easily discern which child has more talent or natural skill than another. This leads parents to opt for more favorable outlets for long-term goals such as collegiate scholarships and professional compensation.
Parents can invest at least 10.5% of their household income into personal trainers, traveling teams, special camps, etc. One could argue that once adults enter the fray and expect something in return, they ruin the fun.
This runs contrary to e-sports, where the adult presence severely lacks most of the time, allowing kids to be kids, letting them be rambunctious, free, and satisfied with their skills and enjoyment without the need to compete for something greater.
“The hierarchy you usually find in traditional sports is gone — everyone is just there,” said Dorsch, who was one of the lead investigators on the Aspen Institute research. “It’s more of a meritocracy.”
“It would be awesome to get paid to play video games.” – David Grimes
E-sports are seen as atypical to traditional sports. Still, strategy, friendly rivalries and connections, and devotion to teams, characters, and athletes are all found in e-sports just as traditional sports.
E-sports have garnered the attention of millions with Evo hosting thousands of spectators every year at its video game tournament showcase. E-sports have proven themselves to have staying power and allow kids safe enjoyment with their friends as well as potential opportunities while still being a kid.
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E-Sports Stake Their Claim Over Youth Sports
Th3 R1Z3
The world of e-sports is a daunting one for the uninitiated. Those that understand the intricacies of the acronyms for names, the peculiar spellings of names often an almost indecipherable conglomeration of numbers and letters, and the enjoyment that can be had escaping into an ethereal other realm claim e-sports as their favorite hobby and potential career pursuit.
Parents often find themselves dazed with their minds reeling from the information overload when their children speak of their favorite hobby, video games. Children often become so infatuated with their favorite game. Whole days seem to slip away.
However, e-sports are a rising tide of enjoyment, professionalism, and career pursuit. They have begun edging out more traditional sports such as baseball, football, and basketball.
Some blame the Pandemic for this meteoric rise, but a far simpler answer is the fact that video games are fun.
Smash the Pandemic
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate heralded the latest Nintendo system, the Nintendo Switch, and launched yet another flurry of activity for the platform and e-sports at large. Beginning with Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64, the title has often carried Nintendo into the next generation with high regards as the next generation took up their controllers to duke it out with their friends to show which beloved Nintendo and other developers’ characters could reign supreme.
Now, Smash Ultimate has continued that trend with two more ex-players taking their place, David and Matthew Grimes.
David, 13, and Matthew, 11, began their journey with Smash Ultimate because they were forced into it when the Pandemic struck. Before, both boys focused primarily on soccer, swimming, basketball and golf, but now they toss in e-sports.
Their parents, Tony and Dawnita Grimes, encourage their boys in their enjoyment as they listen to their sons discuss which character and strategy are best to utilize against another character and strategy. Tony, a former football player, even joins in to conquer the digital realm.
David and Matthew join countless other children in foregoing traditional sports. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, in 2018, only 38 percent of children ages 6 to 12 participated in team sports. And, according to Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program, in September of 2021, 28% of parents with children in youth sports said their child was no longer interested in playing sports.
Letting Kids Be Kids
Most children play sports because they find great enjoyment in the game. However, in traditional sports, a coach and parent can easily discern which child has more talent or natural skill than another. This leads parents to opt for more favorable outlets for long-term goals such as collegiate scholarships and professional compensation.
Parents can invest at least 10.5% of their household income into personal trainers, traveling teams, special camps, etc. One could argue that once adults enter the fray and expect something in return, they ruin the fun.
This runs contrary to e-sports, where the adult presence severely lacks most of the time, allowing kids to be kids, letting them be rambunctious, free, and satisfied with their skills and enjoyment without the need to compete for something greater.
“The hierarchy you usually find in traditional sports is gone — everyone is just there,” said Dorsch, who was one of the lead investigators on the Aspen Institute research. “It’s more of a meritocracy.”
“It would be awesome to get paid to play video games.” – David Grimes
E-sports are seen as atypical to traditional sports. Still, strategy, friendly rivalries and connections, and devotion to teams, characters, and athletes are all found in e-sports just as traditional sports.
E-sports have garnered the attention of millions with Evo hosting thousands of spectators every year at its video game tournament showcase. E-sports have proven themselves to have staying power and allow kids safe enjoyment with their friends as well as potential opportunities while still being a kid.