Esports and online video gaming: We’ve come a long way from the original Spacewar!

“How it started, how it’s going.” You may have seen the popular meme on X (formerly known as Twitter) that some people use to make a “then and now” comparison. For esports, how it started can be traced back to October 1972 when the first video game tournament in history, the “Intergalactic Spacewar! Olympics,” was held in the Artificial Intelligence Lab on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. A small group of computer programming students competed against one another for a chance to win a one-year subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.

Fast forward to more than fifty years later. Advances in technology including the evolution of the internet, access to personal computers, and the arrival of live online streaming platforms have made it possible for millions of people around the world to enjoy competitive video gaming. The popularity of online gaming has transformed esports into a multibillion-dollar industry that includes some of the largest corporate tech giants in the world. Its growth over the years has given rise to professional tournaments where leagues and teams have corporate sponsorships and where prize money can soar into millions of dollars. Online video gaming has come a long way from that very first Spacewar! video game tournament to what it is today. Jordan Whitaker, adjunct faculty in the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management (SRTM) at George Mason University recently discussed the esports phenomenon.

Esports mirrors athletic sports in some ways.

Like many popular athletic sports such as basketball or football, online video gaming has developed its own community which includes not only the players, but loyal fans who watch the competition as they root for their favorite player or team. Online gaming has much in common with many other athletic sports. The difference is that instead of competition taking place on the field or the courts, competition takes place in the digital space. Just as with some other professional athletic sports, larger professional online gaming tournaments are held in arenas. These events are attended by fans who purchase tickets to enjoy an immersive in-person experience watching the action as it unfolds on state-of-the-art jumbotron screens. One such arena is Esports Stadium Arlington located in Arlington, Texas, described as the largest facility in North America dedicated to esports with 100,000 square feet of space that can accommodate 2,500 people.

Local Area Network (LAN) Parties

Smaller tournaments—both professional and amateur—are frequently conducted via Local Area Network (LAN) parties where gamers meet at a designated location which has the router and bandwidth capability to connect multiple game consoles for multi-player competition. LAN parties not only serve as the backdrop for game competitions but can also provide a way for gamers to socialize and make friends with other esport enthusiasts. Online gamers are also known to participate in meetups held at Internet cafés. These types of gatherings reflect the culture and community that has evolved around esports, one which is characterized by the close bonds between players emanating from a shared love of online gaming.

Online gamers need to adopt healthy habits for peak performance.

Traditional sports athletes need certain skills to compete effectively. Esports competitors are no different. Online gaming played competitively demands strategic thinking and the ability to work with teammates in executing quick decisions. This requires good hand-eye coordination, strong motor skills in hands, arms, and fingers to better control the mouse or controller, quick reaction times, and strong cognitive functioning. To perform at their best, gamers need the proper amount of sleep as well as a healthy and nutritious diet. Some professional teams that compete in major tournaments hire registered dietitians and sleep therapists to help their players adhere to good habits that are conducive to achieving and maintaining peak performance.

Burnout could result from excessive online gaming and could hurt player performance.

Burnout is something that could result from excessive online video gaming that must be avoided. Video games can be played at any time and place where a connection to the Internet is available. An individual can easily fall into the trap of playing game after game to improve their skills. This can be true of players who compete in professional tournaments, as well as amateurs hoping that a league or team scout will notice them. Continuous play can be physically and mentally exhausting and could negatively affect performance. Experts advise that players should take breaks from the game, even if only to take a brief walk outside away from their screens.

Online gamers also need to safeguard their mental health. Because esports competitions take place on live online streamlining platforms such as Twitch or YouTube, players see the real time comments of spectators who join online to watch the action. If a player is having a bad game or making mistakes, they could be overwhelmed by negative comments not only during the live stream of the game, but long after the competition ends as people take to social media and message boards to post their criticisms. Negativity in the online space can have damaging impacts on a person’s mental health, and this is especially problematic for gamers because so much of their time is spent online.

Olympic Esports Games 2025 to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Esports is likely to continue to grow and attract new fans and players here in the United States and abroad. On July 12, 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The IOC states that the duration of its partnership with the Saudi NOC will be twelve years and that Olympic Esports Games will be held regularly during that time.

George Mason University is offering a new Esports Management minor. This minor is a partnership between the Sport Management program within the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management and the Computer Game Design program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. For more information, please visit the Sport Management program website.